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The network of City of Paris libraries comprises 57 libraries in all the arrondissements of Paris. They are free and open to all. Discover here all the rules of Paris libraries, in 12 different languages.
The City of Paris libraries offer a range of services and access to reception, information and leisure areas where you can consult more than 3.5 million documents and 800 computers.
Some services (e.g. borrowing documents, using a computer for more than 15 minutes) are restricted to enrolled members, but others are available without prior enrolment (e.g. work spaces, cultural events).
Enrolling in the library
A single enrolment allows you to borrow from all City of Paris lending libraries. Enrolment is open to all: adults, children, Parisians and non-Parisians, irrespective of nationality.
A valid ID card is all you need to enrol: a national identity card, passport, driving licence, residence permit, certificate of application for asylum, family booklet or a civil status certificate.
Library cards are valid for one year from the date of enrolment. To renew your card every year, remember to present valid ID along with your user's card.
Services
Document loans
You can access more than 3.5 million documents. Most of them – books, reviews, comic strips, audio recordings, language-learning methods – can be borrowed free of charge, except for music CDs, for which there is a subscription fee. If you are looking for books in your languages, take a look at this page.
The digital library
Via the libraries portal, you have free access to a library of 20.000 e-books. You can borrow e-readers from libraries for up to 4 weeks, in the same way as you borrow a book.
Learn French and other foreign languages
Most libraries provide language-learning methods, but some libraries are identified as "Language Centers" and provide methods for learning a great variety of languages (e.g. French as a Foreign Language, English, German, Spanish, Bengali, Egyptian, Indonesian, Pashto, Persian, Russian, Romanian), as well as books, reviews and audio documents in foreign languages.
Some libraries also organize French conversation sessions for adults as a learning aid.
>> Map
Coup2Pouce (A Helping Hand)
Some libraries provide a free homework assistance service for primary and secondary school pupils up to a certain level.
Free WI-FI
Thanks to the Paris Wi-Fi service, you can avail of a free high-speed Internet connection in all City of Paris libraries.
To connect to the network, select the network PARIS_WI-FI and enter your email address.
800 self-service computers
Self-service computers are available in the municipal libraries. They provide free and secure access to the Internet, e-resources and software.
- Computers for 15 minutes (without enrolling): "Casual" users may make use of computers for a limited period of 15 minutes without enrolling.
- Computers for 2 hours (after enrolling): Computers are available to users with valid membership cards. "Adult" workstations are available to everyone over the age of 12 for up to 2 hours a day. "Youth" workstations are reserved for minors and limited to 1 hour a day.
A rich and varied cultural program
City of Paris libraries offer a varied cultural program to suit all tastes. The program includes, free of charge and without enrolling: film shows, encounters, concerts, debates, exhibitions, workshops, storytelling, reading groups, video games, outdoor libraries in summer and much more.
Go to our agenda for further details (sites, events, times)
Disabled access
The majority of libraries provide disabled access.
The “Deaf” and “Reading Differently” centres provide enhanced access with special collections and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
the libraries don't all open and close at the same time. Consult https://www.paris.fr/equipements/bibliotheques
Enrolled members of any City of Paris lending library can borrow up to 20 documents, including up to 5 DVDs. You can also borrow e-readers and e-books. Documents can be kept for up to 4 weeks and renewed twice if returned on time and not already reserved. You can renew loans at the library or via your user account.
By consulting the library catalogue : use the search box at the top of the page.
Borrowed documents must be returned to the library they were borrowed from.
You can use a user account to reserve items, renew loans, consult loans and return dates.
To access to your user account, go to the upper right corner of this page, on "Mon compte".
Your card number (without spaces or punctuation) is your user ID.
The password is your date of birth, without any punctuation (example: 16021980)
Your card is blocked for all delays of 7 days and more, until the documents are returned. A late-return fee must be paid once the fee reaches €15.
- €0.15 a day per document (adults)
- €0.07 a day per document (minors) or loan service suspended for 2 weeks.
Give us your email address and we will remind you of the return dates for any items borrowed.
All lost or damaged documents must be paid for or replaced.
You can reserve up to 10 documents in a variety of media, either online or in a library.
Lost or stolen cards must be reported to the library of your choice as quickly as possible. A new card will be issued 15 days after your declaration.
Select your language and login with your User ID and password
Your library card number is your user ID.
The password is your date of birth, without any punctuation (example: 16021980).
The librarians are available to answer any questions you may have.