Austin Public Library now offers an eCard, which provides Austin residents 18 years and older access to the electronic resources available in the Virtual Library. To receive an eCard number, residents provide proof of a valid photo ID and their current address via an online application. Those with APL cards have access to the Virtual Library. The eCard is intended to help homebound adults and busy Austinites access the library's collection of electronic books, audio, music and magazines without having to visit a library branch in person. In 2017, APL circulated more than 1,206,169 electronic items.