Answered By: Joelle Maurepas
Last Updated: Aug 24, 2015     Views: 167

Unfortunately you will not be able to get a library card with the EBRPL library.  Check with your Ouachita Parish Public Library:

http://www.ouachita.lib.la.us/

Main Branch (Headquarters)
1800 Stubbs Avenue
Monroe, LA 71201
Phone: (318) 327-1490
FAX: (318) 329-4057

To see which parishes (if any) have reciprocal borrowing agreements with Ouachita Parish Public Library.

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Just a word of explanation as to why things are this way:

From your message it sounds like you may be a new resident of Louisiana.  In many states, public libraries are funded at the state level which allows for a lot or reciprocity and sharing of resources across counties.  In some cases, you may get one card that can be used at any public library in the state.  In Louisiana, funding for public libraries is established at the parish/county level -- usually by  some form of property tax or millage.  While this has resulted in really stable revenue streams for public libraries, it's created a big roadblock to extending borrowing privileges outside of a library's immediate service area.  Thus, most libraries only extend borrowing privileges to residents of the home parish and/or the surrounding parishes.

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