Beyond borrowing books, there’s a lot you can get with a free Miami-Dade Public Library card. You can gain access to various resources including e-books, audiobooks, movies, music, language courses and even museum passes! So if you haven’t yet received one, or perhaps you need to wipe the dust off your forgotten library card, you’re missing out on some great benefits. Here’s a list of things that are entirely free with a library card and, most importantly, how to get one!
1. Explore Miami’s best museums
Visit more than 15 museums across Miami, free of charge, thanks to the Museum Pass Program. You can check out The Bass, Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, HistoryMiami, Museum of Graffiti, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and even Zoo Miami. Just visit your nearest branch and see library staff, or search the catalog and use your library card to check one out.
2. Access e-books and audiobooks
It’s no secret you’re meant to check out books with a library card, but if you’re thinking of going digital, you might wonder if you still have access to e-books. Well the answer is yes! There’s a wide collection of e-books and audiobooks on apps like OverDrive and Hoopla Digital, which you can access for free with your Miami-Dade library card, so you can do your thing from any device.
3. Download and stream your favorite music and movies
Thanks to platforms like Hoopla and Freegal, you can also have round-the-clock access to songs and movies with your card. There’s no software needed for Freegal, which features 16 million songs and music videos, and Hoopla is a streaming service with thousands of movies and TV titles available.
4. Have your books delivered to you
What’s better than picking out a new book? Well, getting it delivered straight to your home! With MDPLS @ Your Door Home Delivery Service, you can select “Please mail this item to me at no charge” for each item you choose as you browse the online catalog.
5. Borrow a laptop or tablet
While all library locations offer computers and tablets to use for free with a library card, you can also take some devices home! Check your local branch to borrow a tablet, Chromebook or Wi-Fi hotspot that you can use for 30 days.
6. Boost your career skills
Your library card gives you free access to LinkedIn Learning, an online educational platform that offers over 16,000 micro and in-depth courses taught by experts. Topics range from animation to business, photography, video editing and web design.
7. Get homework help
To make sure your child has a successful school year, your library card grants you access to free online and in-person tutoring by certified teachers, as part of the Homework Help & Tutoring Program. Support is provided in reading, math and science subjects to all K-12 students living in Dade County.
8. Learn a new language
Want to brush up on your Spanish? Or learn German? How about Mandarin? If you’re eager to learn a new language, you’ll get to use Mango Languages through MDLPS. This award-winning resource provides step-by-step lesson plans for more than 70 languages on offer.
9. Get online access to The NY Times and Wall Street Journal
Did you know you could get unlimited access to the web editions of both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal with your card? You’ll have to make an account for each and request access codes from the library’s website. There’s no limits on how many codes you can use.
10. Get free Wi-Fi access while in your car
Known as Drive-Up Wi-Fi, you can make your way to a designated parking spot (only at participating libraries) and connect to the internet from the comfort of your parked car. All you need is your laptop, phone or tablet to find the library’s name in the list of available networks and follow instructions. You don’t even need a library card for this perk!
11. Get creative at the library’s YOUmake Miami
Another awesome resource with a Miami‑Dade Public Library System library card is the YOUmake Miami program. Get access to workshops including 3D design, graphic design, sewing, video production, jewelry making, music production, painting, robotics and more.
12. Check out a free event
Miami-Dade public libraries regularly host workshops, art classes, author talks, storytimes and much more, often completely free of cost. Check out upcoming events on their website.
📚 How to get a MDPL library card
With all these benefits, why wouldn’t you race to get a library membership? Luckily, the process is pretty straightforward and it’s free for Miami-Dade residents. To sign up in person, visit your nearest public library and be sure to bring a photo ID with you or other acceptable ID for a physical library card. You can also download the free MDPLS mobile app to keep a digital version of your card.
Library cards are offered to residents of all ages, but those 16 years of age or younger must have a parent or guardian present to give authorization.
While not exactly a library card, you can also apply for an eCard to begin using the online library. Register for an account on their website and provide a valid email address. If you would like a physical card in the future, visit a library location in person and get your eCard replaced. Learn more about Miami-Dade Public libraries here.