The Austin Public Library is expanding access to greater Austin-area residents living outside of the city limits by removing fees for non-resident library cards.

The Austin City Council approved an ordinance on February 29 that would remove the fees, which previously cost $120 annually for individuals residing outside Austin's full-purpose jurisdiction.

Starting March 11, residents who live in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) or the limited purpose jurisdiction will have those fees waived. Adult Texans living outside this area can still get a "Non-Resident eCard" for $22 annually that only allows for digital borrowing.

Thanks to the new change, more individuals will have access to valuable library resources, according to Austin Public Library Director Roosevelt Weeks in a release.

"With the significant population growth over recent years on the edges of our city’s limits, as well as the cost of living driving many longtime residents out of the city center, a non-resident fee becomes an economic barrier for many in the community we serve. Austin Public Library is always looking at ways to lift barriers to access," Weeks said.

For background, the ETJ is the unincorporated land up to five miles outside the Austin city limits, and that is not within the ETJ of another city. That means some individuals in greater Travis County, Hays, Williamson, and Bastrop counties may also qualify for an Austin Public Library card.

"Many residents of the ETJ and limited purpose jurisdiction have Austin mailing addresses, and in some cases are just blocks away from certain Austin Public Library branches," the release said.

Those who live in the limited purpose jurisdiction may vote in Austin City Council and charter amendment elections, but not bond elections. Austin ordinances and regulations regarding land development and the environment, and some health and safety regulations are extended to these areas. However, the City of Austin doesn't collect taxes nor provide municipal services in limited purpose jurisdictions.

Residents can get a better visualization of the city's jurisdictions by visiting the city's "Recent and Proposed Annexations since 2018" map online, and they can search individual addresses via the city's Jurisdictions Web Map.