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De Blasio Administration, New York City Council, City's Three Public Library Systems Announce IDNYC Integration With Library Cards

January 6, 2015

Libraries in the New York, Queens and Brooklyn public library systems to act as enrollment centers for the IDNYC municipal identification program

NEW YORK—The de Blasio administration, New York City Council, and City’s three library systems today announced the integration of the IDNYC municipal identification program with library cards in the New York, Brooklyn and Queens public library systems. This is the first time a single card will be accepted by all three city library systems.

Five of the City’s most-trafficked library branches will act as enrollment centers for the IDNYC program, which launches in mid-January, creating ease of access for applicants. The City will open a total of 11 permanent public enrollment centers across the five boroughs at launch in mid-January for all New Yorkers and six additional enrollment centers for clients of the Human Resources Administration and the Department of Probation. Late in January, the City will launch two rotating pop-up enrollment centers to fill geographic gaps and create increased accessibility for all New Yorkers. An additional public enrollment center will open in Spring 2015.

“New York City libraries have been truly innovative in reimagining what a library can be in the 21st Century,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “They are not only hubs of learning and civic engagement, but also trusted centers in the community that teach us the value of nurturing an open-door policy. I applaud the New York City libraries on their commitment to the IDNYC program and their enthusiastic partnership in getting this program off the ground.”

“Whether you want to take out a book, print a document, seek a job, or access critical City services, libraries have always had their doors open to the community in a way that is welcoming to everyone regardless of immigration status,” said Commissioner Nisha Agarwal. “Because immigrant communities find libraries to be safe and accessible, they make the ideal enrollment centers. Partnering with the library systems on this will ensure that IDNYC truly becomes the one card easily accessed by all New Yorkers.”

“You can use your IDNYC card as your library card in every community across New York City,” said Mayor’s Office of Operation Director Mindy Tarlow. “IDNYC will be the one card you need in your wallet to expand access to the services, programs and opportunities our City has to offer.”

“The benefits that come with an identification card available to all New Yorkers fit perfectly with free access to the books, services and programs of the public library—so making it easier to get both makes perfect sense,” said New York Public Library President Tony Marx. “We are delighted to be part of this creative solution.”

“We are proud to welcome IDNYC cardholders to Brooklyn Public Library and share with them our world-class programs and services,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson. “Our libraries have always been places where all New Yorkers can learn and explore, and we’re eager to open Brooklyn Public Library’s 60 branches to all IDNYC participants.

“Queens Library is a portal for information and resources for the entire community,” said Queens Library Interim President and CEO Bridget Quinn-Carey. “We are pleased to partner with the Mayor’s office to enrich lives in this way. Now, ‘card-carrying New Yorkers’ have the City’s best, right in their pockets: IDNYC and a library card, all in one!”

Once individuals sign up and receive their municipal ID cards, they will have the opportunity to visit their local library branches and activate them as library cards, either by opening accounts as new patrons in any of the three systems, or linking to their current library card accounts (current cards will still work).

Library cardholders are able to check out countless of books, movies, and other materials from branches, as well as access the internet. Additionally, library users can take advantage of countless free programs and classes, including ESOL classes, tech training, job search resources, after school programs, financial literacy classes, and much more.

“Our city’s libraries are community hubs that bring people together and with IDNYC to include access to the major library systems, we get to open more doors of opportunity to New Yorkers,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “IDNYC is a card that works for everyone, and the more people take advantage of our public library system, the better the chance they have to further their careers or pursue their dreams. I want to thank Council Member Carlos Menchaca and Council Member Daniel Dromm for their tireless work on this initiative, the administration, and the library systems for being part of history.”

“Establishing IDNYC enrollment centers at libraries, and allowing the ID card to function dually as a library card, are two more reasons why IDNYC is the must have accessory for all New Yorkers in 2015,” said Council Member Daniel Dromm. “The benefits attached to the IDNYC card are spectacular and also include a free one year membership to 33 cultural institutions from around the city. All New Yorkers should hurry up and get an IDNYC card now!”

“The IDNYC program continues to push the boundaries of possibility as it relates to government enfranchisement of local communities,” said Council Member Carlos Menchaca. “The integration of all three NYC library branches into the IDNYC program is forward thinking, and is sensitive to the lived experiences of a diverse sector of New York City residents. New Yorkers trust the library systems—they are an important part of the story of our City. Their commitment to the identification program is central to its success. This sound partnership signals a bold attempt to meeting people where they are.”

“No public institution serves immigrants in New York better than our libraries,” said New York City Council Majority Leader & Chair of the Committee on Libraries Jimmy Van Bramer. “I’m proud that our three library systems have become indispensable partners in the launch, implementation and ultimately the success of IDNYC. By allowing this new ID to serve as a library card, the information and resources at our libraries will be available to so many more people. Immigrant communities have always flocked to our public libraries because they trust our libraries. This is a game changer when it comes to access for all.”

The IDNYC card will be provided to applicants free of charge and will expire after five years. The minimum age to apply for the card will be 14 years of age. Applicants will be required to present proof of identity and proof of residency in New York City. Homeless New Yorkers without a permanent address will have the ability to obtain a card, and the card will provide address confidentiality protections to survivors of domestic violence. Applicants without a home address and survivors of domestic violence will be able to list a Care Of address on their card. Passports that are machine-readable will be accepted up to three years after expiration, but all other documents must be current. There will be a 30-day window for applicants to appeal IDNYC denials.

The IDNYC program rules set forth over 40 categories of documents that may be used to establish identity, including foreign passports and consular identification cards, foreign birth certificates, military identification, Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, and U.S. high school diplomas, and U.S. voter registration cards. Applicants will be able to demonstrate residency in New York City with cable, phone or utility bills, bank statements, and residential leases, among other documents. The documents will be accepted on a point-based system that weighs document value, similar to the one used by the New York State DMV. For more information on eligibility criteria, applicants can visit: nyc.gov/idnyc.

Enrollment center information:

Hours of Operation and Contact Information

PERMANENT SITES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Enrollment Center

Location

IDNYC Hours of Operation

Brooklyn Public Library - Grand Army Plaza

10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238

M-Th  9:00 am – 9:00 pm
F 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sun 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

NY Public Library - Bronx Library Center

310 East Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10458

M/W/F/Sat Sat 9:00 am–9:00 pm
Tues and Thurs 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sun 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

NY Public Library - Mid-Manhattan

445 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10016

M-F  8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sat & Sun 10:00 am–6:00 pm

Queens Library – Jamaica

89-11 Merrick Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11432

M/W/Th 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tu 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
F 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sat 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sun Noon – 5:00 pm

Queens Library – Flushing

41-17 Main Street
Flushing, NY 11355

M/W/Th 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tu 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm
F 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sat 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sun Noon – 5:00 pm

Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union - DCA Site 1

1112 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York, NY 10032

M/Tu/F  9:00 am – 4:00 pm
W Closed
Th 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sun Closed

Make the Road New York - DCA Site 2

92-10 Roosevelt Avenue
Jackson Heights, NY 11372

M-F  9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Sat 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Sun Closed

Sunset Park - DPR
(Spring 2015 opening)

 

7th Avenue at 43rd Street Brooklyn, NY 11232

M/T/W 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Th Noon – 9:00 pm
F 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sat 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sun Closed

 

Enrollment Center

Location

IDNYC Hours of Operation

Department of Finance

 

 

MANHATTAN BUSINESS CENTER

66 John Street, 2nd fl.
New York, NY  10038

M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

BRONX BUSINESS CENTER

3030 Third Avenue, 2nd fl.
Bronx, NY 10455

M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

BROOKLYN BUSINESS CENTER

210 Joralemon Street, 1st fl. Brooklyn, NY  11201

M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

STATEN ISLAND BUSINESS CENTER

350 St. Marks Place, 1st fl. Staten Island, NY  10301

M-F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

 

 

 

PERMANENT SITES OPEN TO AGENCY CLIENTS

Department of Probation

 

 

Bronx

198 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451

M-TH 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
F 8:00 am – 4:45 pm

Queens

162-24 Jamaica Avenue, 2nd fl.
Jamaica, NY 11432

M & F 8:00 am – 5:15 pm
T-Th 8:00 am – 6:45 pm

Brooklyn

210 Joralemon Street, 10th fl.
Brooklyn, NY 11201

M 8:30 pm -6:30 pm
T-TH 8:30 am – 5:40 pm
F 8:30 am – 4:40 pm

Manhattan

66 John Street, 4th fl.
New York, NY 10038

M – F 8:00 am – 5:30 pm

Human Resources Administration - CBIC

 

 

Brooklyn

45 Hoyt Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

M – F 8:30 am – 8:00 pm

Manhattan

109 E 16th Street
Manhattan, NY 10003

M – F 8:30 am – 8:00 pm

 

Media Contact

pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov
(212) 788-2958