Taipei Public Library

I. Types of Library Card

(I) Personal Library Card (Starting from July 1^st, applicants must provide an easy card, iPASS card or use the mobile card for library. The library will no longer issue material cards.)

EasyCard for Library (including a Digital Student Identity Card)
The card may be used at the Main Library, the branches, the neighborhood reading rooms, and the intelligent libraries. Applicants must possess an EasyCard. EasyCard for Library cannot serve as a Family Library Card.

iPASS Card for Library  (including a Digital Student Identity Card)
 The card may be used at the Main Library, the branches, the neighborhood reading rooms, and the intelligent libraries. Applicants must possess an iPASS Card. iPASS Card for Library cannot serve as a Family Library Card.

Mobile card for Library

The card may be used at the Main Library, the branches, the neighborhood reading rooms, and the intelligent libraries.
(The mobile card for library must also function as an easy card or iPASS card to access the intelligent libraries.)

 
(II) Family Library Card

Regular Barcode Library Card
The card may be used at the Main Library, the branches, and the neighborhood reading rooms, but not at the intelligent libraries.

II. Application Methods

• (I) Library Card Application at the Library in Person
  Accept new applications, replacements and re-issuances of library card
  • 1. New Application
    • (1) Required Documents
      • A. Apply for Personal Library Card:( Starting from July 1^st, 2019, applicants must provide an easy card, iPASS card or use the mobile card for library. The library will no longer issue material cards.)
        • a. R.O.C. citizens: Provide the original copy of one of the following – R.O.C citizen ID, driver’s license, (if applicable) disabled citizen ID or disability manual, Household Certificate, or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months). Applicants under the age of 12 can apply with the copy of the Household Certificate or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months).
        • b. Citizens of Mainland China: Provide the original copy of the exit and entry permit or the resident certificate.
        • c. Foreign residents: Provide the passport or the original copy of the resident certificate.
        • d. Bookstart Library Card: Application is limited to children up to 5 years old and coming from registered Taipei City households.
        • e. Applicants for the EasyCard for Library must be EasyCard holders. The types of EasyCard accepted include Adult EasyCard, Concessionaire EasyCard, Student EasyCard, Senior EasyCard, Charity EasyCard, Escort EasyCard, Digital Student ID Card, and Co-branded EasyCard Credit Card.
        • f. Please apply only once. Each individual is limited to one personal library card, which is to be used by the cardholder only.
      • B. Family Library Card:
        • a. The original copy of the Household Certificate or a Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months) is to be provided (for registered households in Taipei City)
        • b. Each household is limited to one family library card, which can be used by members of the same household only.
        • c. The EasyCard for Library cannot be used as a family library card.
    • (2) Application Locations:
      • A. Regular Library Card or EasyCard or iPASS card for Library: Please apply at the Main Library, the branches, and the neighborhood reading rooms.
      • B. RFID Chip Library Card: Please apply at the Main Library, Beitou, Nangang, Datong, Yongchun, Zhongshan, Xihu, Sanmin, Wenshan, Wanhua, Minsheng,  Huludu, Dazhi, Dongyuan and Jingxin branches, the Lee Ko-yung Branch, the Wang Guan-ying Branch, and Longhua Neighborhood Reading Room.
      • C. Application is not available at the intelligent libraries.
    • (3) Procedures:
      Please fill out the Application Form of Taipei Public Library Card, which is to be submitted to the staff at the information desk along with original copies of the required documents. Documents will be returned immediately by the staff following verification (*If there is any change to a patron’s personal information, the TPL should be notified).
      *Please note: for the Family Library Card application, all basic information must be filled out with regard to the head of household, except for the Household ID No. on the Household Certificate.
    • (4) Time Needed for Application:
      About 10-15 minutes (ID to be shown for pick-up)
    • (5) Period of Validity:
      The Personal Library Card and Family Library Card are to be renewed every 6 years. For Citizens of Mainland China and foreign residents, the period of validity shall depend on the term of their residence permit.
  • 2. Replacement
    If the library card has been seriously damaged or new versions of personal and family library cards have been issued by the TPL, a cardholder can get the old card replaced for free (with valid IDs presented); however, the old card needs to be returned for destruction.
  • 3. Re-issuance
    • (1) Registration of a lost card: The TPL should be notified immediately of a lost personal or family library card. If the cardholder fails to report the loss of his/her card or lends his/her card to another person, he/she shall be responsible for any resulting compensation required.
    • (2) Re-issuance of a lost card: For card re-issuance, please provide IDs and fill out the Application Form of Taipei Public Library Card again, along with a NT$50 handling fee. When applying for re-issuance by using an EasyCard or iPASS card, the NT$50 handling fee is not required.
    • (3) Loss of an EasyCard or iPASS card for Library: A cardholder needs to register with the TPL to cancel his/her lost EasyCard or iPASS card 's library card function, and, for Registered EasyCard, a cardholder must report the loss of his/her card to the EasyCard Corporation for the stored-value part. Please apply to the original issuing units for the re-issuance of Charity EasyCard, Senior EasyCard, Digital Student ID Card and Co-branded EasyCard Credit Card.
  • 4. Application on Behalf of the Applicant
    If patrons are unable to apply for a library card in person, they need to provide a letter of authorization and a piece of ID of both their representative and themselves. If a document can be provided for proving their lineal or marital relationship, the letter of authorization can be exempted.

     

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• (II) Library Card Application via Mail:
  • 1. Application Eligibility:
    All R.O.C. citizens can apply for new personal of family library card including the replacement and re-issuance of old library cards via mail.
  • 2. Required Documents:
    • (1) Application for a New Library Card:
      • A. To apply for a personal library card, an applicant must provide the original copy of one of the following – R.O.C citizens ID, driver’s license, (if applicable) disabled citizen ID or disability manual, Household Certificate or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months), an applicant from a registered Taipei City household may apply for a family library card.
      • B. The Application Form of Taipei Public Library Card (to be downloaded from the TPL website and fully completed)
      • C. A self-addressed envelope (including the recipient’s name, telephone and address) with postage affixed for a registered letter with acknowledgement returned (NT$43).
    • (2) Library Card Replacement:
      • A. To replace a personal library card, an applicant must provide the original copy of one of the following – R.O.C citizen ID, driver’s license, (if applicable) disabled citizen ID or disability manual, Household Certificate, or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months). To replace a family library card, an applicant must provide the original copy of the Household Certificate or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months).
      • B. The Application Form of Taipei Public Library Card (to be downloaded from the TPL website and fully completed)
      • C. The old personal or family library card
      • D. A self-addressed envelope (including the recipient’s name, telephone and address) with postage affixed for a registered letter with acknowledgement returned (NT$43)
    • (3) Library Card Re-issuance:
      • A. For the re-issuance of a personal library card, an applicant must provide the original copy of one of the following – R.O.C citizen ID, driver’s license, (if applicable) disabled citizen ID or disability manual, Household Certificate, or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months). For the re-issuance of a family library card, an applicant must provide the original copy of the Household Certificate or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months).
      • B. The Application Form of Taipei Public Library Card (to be downloaded from the TPL website and fully completed)
      • C. The handling fee re-issuance is NT$50 (A postal order of NT$50 paid to the Taipei Public Library is to be purchased by the applicant, with the handling fee paid by the applicant as well, no other forms of payment such as stamps are acceptable). The NT$50 fee is not required for the re-issuance of an EasyCard or iPASS card for Library; however, an EasyCard must be enclosed in the mail.
      • D. A self-addressed envelope (including the recipient’s name, telephone and address) with postage affixed for a registered letter with acknowledgement returned (NT$43)
  • 3. Application Method:
    • (1) Application is done via registered mail with acknowledgement returned.
    • (2) The applicant shall send the required related application documents and the self-addressed envelope to the Circulation & Preservation Section of Taipei Public Library at No. 125, Sec. 2, Jianguo S. Rd., Daan Dist., Taipei City 106, via registered mail with acknowledgement returned, with “Library Card Application” written on the envelope of the sent mail. Each mailing is limited to one single application.
    • (3) Upon the receipt of the library card application, the TPL will mail back the library card and the applicant’s documents to the address of the applicant via registered mail with acknowledgement returned within 3 working days (not including delivery times for forwarded and returned letters).
  • 4. Note:
    • (1) Before applying, please check whether or not a TPL library card is already in possession. Also, an applicant must first go to the Main Library, the branches, or the neighborhood reading rooms to return or compensate for any overdue library materials and must wait after the expiration of his/her suspension of library privileges before being allowed to apply for replacement or re-issuance.
    • (2) Please pay for a re-issuance application via postal order. An applicant who fails to comply shall bear sole responsibility for any other related costs or for the return of the application. In addition, the receipt for re-issuance will be mailed back to the applicant along with the library card and related documents.
    • (3) For verification purpose, the applicant should keep the receipt for the sent registered mail until the return of all documents.
    • (4) Please do not send the application via ordinary mail. Applicants who apply via ordinary mail shall bear sole responsibility for the loss of documents.
    • (5) According to the Regulations of Circulation Service, all documents to be provided by the applicant must be original copies (photocopies are not accepted). If any document gets lost during mail delivery, the TPL shall not be held responsible for anything outside the TPL’s scope of responsibility.
    • (6) If one needs to verify the status of application, please call the TPL number for inquiry, (02) 2755-2823 ext. 2104 or 2105.
• (III) Online Library Card Application
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  • 1. Application Eligibility:
    All R.O.C. citizens, citizens of Mainland China and foreign residents may apply for the personal library card via the TPL’s WEBPAC system. Additionally, Taipei City residents may apply for the family library card online. The online application service is limited to new applications only, replacements and re-issuances are not included.

  • 2. Application Method:

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    • (1) Click “Online Registration” on the top right hand corner of the TPL’s WEBPAC website (https://book.tpml.edu.tw/register)
      
    • (2) Read the Privacy Policy for Applicants of the Taipei Public Library → Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions of the statement and then click “Submit”
      
    • (3) Select the card type (Personal Card or Family Card), read the statement on the top of the page and fill out all required information and the Verification code. Verify all information and then click “Submit”.
      
    • (4) After applying successfully online, the patron, with a valid ID, can pick up the library card at the counter of any one of the TPL’s units that provides member service. Required documents are as follows:
      • A. Personal Library Card:(Starting from July 1^st, 2019, applicants must provide an easy card, iPASS card or use the mobile card for library. The library will no longer issue material cards.)
        • a. R.O.C. citizens: Provide the original copy of one of the following – R.O.C citizen ID, driver’s license, (if applicable) disabled citizen ID or disability manual, Household Certificate, or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months). Applicants under the age of 12 can apply with the copy of the Household Certificate or Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months).
        • b. Citizens of Mainland China: Provide the original copy of the exit and entry permit or the resident certificate.
        • c. Foreign residents: Provide the passport or the original copy of the resident certificate.
        • d. Bookstart Library Card: Application is limited to children up to 5 years old and coming from registered Taipei City households.
        • e. Applicants for the EasyCard or iPASS card for Library must be EasyCard or iPASS card holders. The types of EasyCard accepted include Adult EasyCard, Concessionaire EasyCard, Student EasyCard, Senior EasyCard, Charity EasyCard, Escort EasyCard , Digital Student ID Card, and Co-branded EasyCard Credit Card.
        • f. Please apply only once. Each individual is limited to one personal library card, which is to be used by the cardholder only.
      • B. Family Library Card:
        • a. The original copy of the Household Certificate or a Household Certificate Transcript (remains valid within 3 months) is to be provided (for registered households in Taipei City)
        • b. The EasyCard or iPASS card for Library cannot be used as a family library card.
        • c. The EasyCard or iPASS card for Library cannot be used as a family library card.
  • 3. Note:
    • (1) Online application service is limited to new library card applications only. Before applying, please check whether or not a TPL library card is already in your possession. For replacement or re-issuance, a patron must apply in person at the counter of the Main Library, the branches, or the neighborhood reading rooms.
    • (2) After applying for the library card online, a patron can immediately use the electronic resources available on the TPL’s Integrated Search system (http://isearch.tpml.edu.tw/tpmlhyint/search1.jsp?pagetype=fast)(Chinese). To borrow a book or to make an online reservation, a patron must first pick up the actual library card at the library (with ID presented) before being allowed to use related services.