Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Cards are available to all Ohio residents. You can get a library card by completing an online application or by stopping by your local branch.

Having a library card offers numerous benefits that extend beyond the simple act of borrowing books. Library cards grant people access to a wealth of knowledge and resources, opening up opportunities for learning, exploration, and entertainment. With a library card, individuals have FREE access to a vast collection of books, magazines, audiobooks, and movies, as well as digital resources such as e-books, online databases, and educational platforms. Library cardholders can also participate in various programs, workshops, and events organized by the library, fostering community and personal growth.

Library resources for children and families include FREE after school meals and homework help.

FREE after school meals for youth are available Mondays through Fridays at select Library locations. You can view a list of these locations and times on their website. Students 18 years of age and younger are eligible. Individuals ages 19 through 21 who have been identified as having mental or physical disabilities also are eligible for free meals. All participants must eat their meals at the Library.

Tutoring is also FREELY available. During the school year, students in grades K through 8 can get no-cost, walk-in, one-on-one homework help in reading and math at select branches listed on the Cincinnati Hamilton County Public Library website. You can view a list of these locations and times online. Live tutoring is also available online for students of any age. You can get no-cost, live online homework help, skills building, writing assistance, test prep help, FAFSA application help, and more. This help is available from 2 PM through 11 PM, 7 days a week, through the library’s online live tutoring portal.

Additional library resources for adults include vocational rehabilitation services such as Job Search Assistance and Adult education courses.

Job Search Assistance includes free access to online services that provide assistance with every step in the job search process, including online job application assistance. If you need help getting started on your job search, you can set up a free appointment with a library staff member online.

Adult Education services include access to free high school equivalency test and prep assistance, ESOL classes, adult literacy sessions, and more. You can meet with Library staff to help with this process by visiting the Adult Learning Center at the Downtown Main Library or making an appointment online, in-person, or over the phone at (513) 369-3121.

A List of Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about library services is available online as well.

You can find more resources related to ids & citizenship, child development, education, recreation and vocational assistance by selecting the “IDs & Citizenship, “Child Development“, “Recreation” and or “Vocational Resources” category tab on our “Social Service Utilization Library” page.