September is National Library Card Sign-up Month! This year's theme is One Card, Endless Possibilities. At San Mateo County Libraries, your library card goes way beyond books.
Access to libraries can help students of all ages succeed. Whether you're looking for academic help, adult learning or professional development resources, San Mateo County Libraries is a hub for learning and growth.
Unlock Endless Possibilities With Your Library Card
A library card is a gateway to a world of possibilities. Discover some of our favorite online resources—available to you completely free!
Access educational resources for students and teachers, including ABCMouse, EBSCO, Practice Tests and World Book Online.
For adults seeking professional development, try out Udemy, LinkedIn Learning or O'Reilly.
Explore our Library of Things, featuring video games, hiking gear, sewing machines and more.
Save money on streaming services by utilizing our platforms like Hoopla, Kanopy and The Shelf.
View all the online resources you can unlock with your library card.
Empower Cards for Local Students
We're excited to announce the continuation of our Empower Card program, which brings library cards directly to classrooms all across San Mateo County.
San Mateo County Libraries and Redwood City Public Library are working together to help students across San Mateo County enjoy access to the same amazing digital learning tools and collections regardless of where they live. With an Empower Card, every student gets equal access to e-books, databases, streaming services and more.
Empower Cards are part of our Student Success Initiative, which partners with local schools to connect every student with a library card. Students in participating schools are enrolled automatically, so families do not need to take any extra steps.
With an Empower Card, students can:
- Check out books, DVDs, laptops, Wi-Fi hotspots and more
- Access live tutoring, test prep and research tools
- Stream movies, read eBooks and magazines
- Explore materials in multiple languages
Best of all, Empower Cards are totally free. Students can access unlimited checkouts and renewals with no late fines—and just in case they lose their card, replacements are free as well.
If your student is not part of a participating school, you can still visit any of our libraries to sign them up. Getting a card is quick and free, and it's the easiest way to unlock a world of learning and fun. Stop by today and help your student discover everything the library has to offer.
Back to School Reading Recommendations
We have lots of reading recommendations for kids and teens to help ease the transition into school. Explore them today!
- It’s Giving Back to School: First Day Feels and Must Reads for Teens
- What's For Lunch? Stories of Food, Culture and Connection
- 2025 Youth Media Award Winners
- Feel It Out: Kid's Books About Sensory Experiences
- Little Body, Big Feelings: Children's Books All About Emotions
- You’re Not Broken: Young Adult Stories About Mental Health and Healing
View all our reading recommendations for kids and teens.
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