Northern Kentucky residents will have to pay for a Cincinnati library card starting next year.
The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library system previously allowed residents of Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky to get a free Hamilton County library card. That will end on Jan. 3, 2027, library officials said in an email to cardholders on Aug. 18.
After Jan. 3, Northern Kentucky residents can purchase a library card for $90 per year.
Library officials said in the email that the change is in response to “changes in Ohio library funding” and increased costs of library services, such as digital collections.
The library system received $49 million from the state’s public library fund, according to the 2025 annual report, which was slightly more than in 2024.
Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com, @ee_glynn on X and @eringlynn on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NKY residents will have to pay for a Cincinnati library card next year
Reporting by Erin Glynn, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Erin Glynn, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
