Solutions
Digital Library Cards: Modern Membership for Libraries and Community Programmes
Learn how libraries can modernise membership with digital library cards, event passes, reading challenges, and community programme cards.
By RemyPass Team · 29 April, 2026 · 7 min read
Modernise library membership with digital cards for borrowing, events, community programmes, and member updates.
For libraries, the move from physical cards, paper tickets, or disconnected customer records to digital wallet passes is not just a design upgrade. It changes how people join, check in, receive updates, and return.
RemyPass helps organisations create digital passes for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, so customers, members, visitors, supporters, and participants can keep the right card on the device they already use every day.
Why digital passes matter for libraries
Physical cards are easy to lose, expensive to reprint, and difficult to update after they are issued. App-based solutions can work, but they ask people to download and keep another app for a relationship that may only need a simple membership card, loyalty card, visitor pass, or access credential.
Wallet passes sit in the middle. They are easy for people to save, simple for staff to recognise, and flexible enough for live updates.
For libraries, this is useful because passes can support:
- Digital library cards
- Event access passes
- Community programme updates
Common use cases
The best starting point is usually one clear workflow. Once the pass is in use, it can support more advanced customer or member journeys over time.
Popular use cases include:
- Library memberships
- Reading challenge passes
- Workshop access
How a digital pass workflow works
1. Create the pass design
Start with a branded pass that clearly shows the organisation name, member or customer name, relevant status, and a scannable code if check-in or redemption is needed.
2. Send the pass
The pass can be shared by email, link, QR code, or an automated workflow from a form, CRM, booking system, ticketing platform, or membership database.
3. Let people save it to their wallet
People add the pass to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. They do not need to download a custom app just to carry their card.
4. Scan or verify when needed
Staff can scan the pass for access, check-in, redemption, or validation depending on the workflow.
5. Keep the pass current
Pass details can be updated after issue. This is useful for expiry dates, membership status, programme information, event details, offers, or operational notices.
What to include on the pass
A strong digital pass is clear and useful. Avoid turning it into a miniature website. The best passes usually include:
- A clear pass title
- The person's name or membership reference
- Status, tier, expiry, or entitlement information
- A QR code or barcode when validation is needed
- A short support or contact link
- Branding that staff and customers can recognise quickly
For libraries, the pass should make the most common action faster. That might be checking in, proving membership, claiming a reward, entering an event, or seeing the latest programme details.
Why Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are useful
Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are already familiar to many people. They are used for payment cards, boarding passes, event tickets, loyalty cards, and transit passes.
Using wallet passes means your organisation can offer a modern digital experience without forcing every customer or member into a new app. It also gives your team a practical way to keep issued passes up to date.
Questions teams usually ask
Can libraries issue digital library cards? Yes. Libraries can create digital library cards and community programme passes for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
Can libraries use RemyPass for events and workshops? Yes. RemyPass can be used for workshop access, reading challenge passes, events, and other community programmes.
Getting started
If you are planning a digital pass rollout, start with the workflow that will be easiest for staff and most useful for members or customers. For many organisations, that is a simple membership card or loyalty card. For others, it might be event access, visitor passes, volunteer credentials, or a programme card.
Once that first workflow is live, you can add updates, campaigns, integrations, and more specific pass types.