Become a Member
The American Library in Paris is an independent, non-profit institution operating since 1920.
Located in the heart of Paris, we serve more than 5,000 members of all ages and nationalities.
Types of Membership
Household
For up to 2 adults and all children (ages 0–22) living at the same address
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Borrowing: Up to 30 items (20 books + 10 periodicals) per household member
Prefer to pay monthly? 22€ per month – 12 month commitment (total 264€)
Household – School/Institutional Discount
For families affiliated with partnered schools/institutions – see list here
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Same borrowing privileges as Household
Household – Four-Month
A short-term option that can be upgraded to a full year
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Same borrowing privileges as Household
Individual
For individual adults
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Borrowing: Up to 30 items (20 books + 10 periodicals) at any time
Prefer to pay monthly? 15€ per month – 12 month commitment (total 180€)
Individual – School/Institutional Discount
For staff and members of partnered schools/institutions – see list here
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Same borrowing privileges as Individual
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Not for students or anyone under the age of 26
Four-Month
A short-term option that can be upgraded to a full year
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Same borrowing privileges as Individual
Senior
For individuals aged 60 and over
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Borrowing: Up to 30 items (20 books + 10 periodicals) at any time
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Benefit from an additional renewal upon request
Prefer to pay monthly? 11€ per month – 12 month commitment (total 132€)
Unemployed
For individuals with current attestation d’inscription à France Travail
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Borrowing: Up to 30 items (20 books + 10 periodicals) at any time
Prefer to pay monthly? 11€ per month – 12 month commitment (total 132€)
Person with a Disability
For individuals with valid MDPH disability documentation
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Borrowing: Up to 30 items (20 books + 10 periodicals) at any time
Prefer to pay monthly? 11€ per month – 12 month commitment (total 132€)
Student / 19-25 Years Old
For students with current student ID or non-students aged 19–25
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Borrowing: Up to 10 items (6 books + 4 periodicals) at any time
Prefer to pay monthly? 11€ per month – 12 month commitment (total 132€)
Child / Teen
For individuals aged 18 or under
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Valid for new or renewing members
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Borrowing: Up to 30 items (20 books + 10 periodicals) at any time
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Children ages 0-11 can borrow from juvenile and young adult collection only
Prefer to pay monthly? 10€ per month – 12 month commitment (total 120€)
Visitor Access & Services
If you are interested in exploring the Library without a membership, you can purchase a Day Pass before committing to an annual membership.
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Cannot be reserved in advance
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Onsite browsing, no borrowing privileges
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Does not include access to children’s programming
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Available for purchase in person at the Library only
Pricing (Individual, all ages):
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Day Pass: 15€ (full day access)
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5-Day Pass Pack: 50€ (can be used on non-consecutive days)
Upgrading:
The cost of a Day Pass or Pack can be applied toward an annual membership within 1 month of purchase.
If you represent a school and are interested in arranging a student orientation (covering how to use the Library and its resources), please contact partnerships@americanlibraryinparis.org.
We offer regular History Tours which are free and open to all, whether or not you are a member. For more information about our tours, booking a private tour, and more, please check our History Tours page.
Member Benefits
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A welcoming space to work, read, and relax with free Wi-Fi access
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Borrowing privileges for our 100,000+ item collection
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Access to current newspapers, magazines, and board games
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Book groups, workshops, and seminars
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Participation in 200+ annual events for children and teens
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Study rooms (2 hours, reservable by phone, email or in-person)
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Access to periodical archives
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Full digital access to The New York Times
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Libby/OverDrive (e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines)
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Comics Plus (digital comics, graphic novels and manga)
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Mango Languages, a language-learning app
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Access to digital databases (including EBSCO, JSTOR/Artstor, Ebook Central, World Book Online)
Frequently Asked Questions
Membership & Library Services
Members of our partner schools and institutions may purchase a discounted membership through our Membership page.
For a full list of partner institutions, see our Partnerships page.
Discounts apply only to Household and Individual membership categories; no additional reductions are offered for Discounted and Student/Under-26 categories, as these are already offered at a reduced rate.
If your school or institution has purchased a membership on your behalf, please come to the Member Services Desk to pick up your Library card.
Your username is your membership barcode number (displayed on your library card) and the PIN/NIP is set to the last 4 digits of your phone number by default. If this is not working, please contact info@americanlibraryinparis.org to reset it.
Private rooms may be reserved up to one week in advance for two-hour sessions. The following rooms are available for booking:
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Study Rooms: Two rooms available, each accommodating up to 2 people
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Atelier: Suitable for groups of 3 to 10 people
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Conference Room: Suitable for groups of 3 to 10 people
To make a reservation, please contact the Library or visit the Member Services Desk.
For general studying or individual work, the Library offers several open seating areas on a first-come, first-served basis:
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Reading Room: 35 seats
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Lower Level: 25 seats
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Mezzanine: 10 seats
For quiet reading, members may also use the Members’ Lounge. The Teen Mezzanine is a designated reading area reserved exclusively for teens.
Item loan periods are for 3 weeks.
Books checked out to members are automatically renewed once for an additional three weeks, unless a hold has been placed on the item. Senior members benefit from an additional renewal upon request.
If you wish to request an extension beyond the automatic renewal period, or if you are unable to return an item by its due date, please contact us at info@americanlibraryinparis.org.
If you are an author or publisher wishing to donate a copy of your work for consideration in the Library’s collection, please complete the Title Suggestion Form.
Children under the age of 12 must be chaperoned by a guardian (this can be a parent, relative or caregiver – membership is not required for the guardian).
A household membership covers up to 2 adults (parents or otherwise) and all children (ages 0–22) living at the same address.
Visiting the Library & Other
Visitors and prospective members are welcome to explore the Library for a brief visit of 15 minutes.
To enjoy extended access, such as spending the day or using the facilities for a longer period, you will need to purchase a Day Pass or become a member.
If you are an author or publisher wishing to donate a copy of your work for consideration in the Library’s collection, please complete the Title Suggestion Form.
The Library does not accept used books as gifts.
As a library (bibliothèque), we do not sell books on a regular basis. However, select titles may occasionally be available for purchase during evening events.
We do offer a limited selection of merchandise, including tote bags, pins, and postcards, which can be purchased at the Library.
Only certified service animals are permitted inside the Library.
