Learn how to get a card, renew materials, place holds, and more.

Who Can Get a Card

All Hays County residents can get a free Buda Public Library Card by providing a photo ID (e.g. driver license) with current address or an ID and proof of current residence in Hays County (a current bill mailed to your address). A parent or guardian must sign for children under 16.

For those living outside of Hays County, there is a yearly $15 fee (effective 10-1-2011).
There is a $3 charge to replace a lost library card.

How to Get Your Card

Come fill out an application at the library. Be sure to have your picture ID; if your ID doesn't have your current address, bring something with your name and correct address on it (like a bill, check, lease agreement, etc.).

Borrowing Limits

• First visit - there is a 2 item limit for first-time borrowers.
• Once those items are returned there is a 20-item limit.
• Videos (DVDs and blu-rays) are limited at 5 per family.
• Videos and magazines are checked out for one week. All other items are checked out for 2 weeks.
• Parents are responsible for items borrowed by children under the age of 16.

Placing Holds

• You may call or email the library and we can place a hold for you.
• Try the online catalog on our website. The catalog will allow you to place a reserve from any Internet capable computer.
• The library will contact you when the item is ready for pickup. We ask that you pick up the item within 3 working days.

Renewing Your Borrowed Items

Our online catalog allows users to renew most borrowed items. All items can be renewed if no other patron is requesting it. Items that have been checked out for 3 or more months must be physically brought in to the library for renewal.

Library Fines

• If your items are overdue, your account will have a fine.
• Books and audio books are charged 5 cents for every day overdue.
• Video and DVD materials are charged 25 cents for every day overdue.
• The maximum fee is $3 per item.
• There is an outdoor book-drop in the parking lot so that patrons may return items at any time. We ask that video, DVD, and audio recorded materials be returned inside the Library.
• Borrowers must pay for or replace all damaged or lost materials and pay a $3 processing fee.

TexShare Card

After you have been a member of the Buda Public Library for one month, successfully checked out and returned items, and your account is free of fines and fees, you are eligible to receive a TexShare Card which gives you additional borrowing privileges at many public and academic libraries in Texas. Your TexShare Card must be renewed annually. Ask at the circulation desk for more information.

Interlibrary Loans

Buda Library users are eligible to borrow through the Interlibrary Loan Program after they are active members for one month and have successfully checked out and returned items from this library.If you do not find an item at the Buda Public Library, you can request that the item be sent to Buda from another library.

Interlibrary Loan systems scan the network and locate the book for you. The lending library sends the book to Buda where you can pick it up. You can make up to 3 interlibrary loan requests at a time. This service costs $2 per item to help cover the shipping costs.

Make an interlibrary loan request.