Fact Sheet: borrowIT CT

borrowIT CT (formerly Connecticard) is a cooperative program of 191 Connecticut public libraries, significantly expanding access to materials and furthering equity across all CT towns. A key feature of the program is its flexible return policy: printed materials may be returned to any participating public library in Connecticut, regardless of where they were originally borrowed.

Another important benefit is statewide borrowing privileges. Any Connecticut resident may use their hometown public library card to visit any participating public library and borrow materials available to that library’s local patrons. Through shared resources and reciprocal borrowing, borrowIT CT ensures broader, more convenient access to library collections statewide.

The "borrowIT CT" program is a critical community resource that boosts public education by providing affordable access to the extensive, free resources available through all public libraries. These resources include physical spaces, programming, and online platforms for movies, audiobooks, and educational tools. Alarmingly, the Governor's budget proposes a 20% cut to borrowIT CT for the current year!

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Our neighborhoods and towns need you to take three action steps.

Action step 1

First, contact your State Representative and State Senator; tell them to support borrowIT CT at 100% funding in 2026.Just enter your Address and the site will tell you who your people are.

Action step 2

Second, email members of the legislative committees below, tell them to vote for 100% funding for the borrowIT CT program  

Education Committee

Appropriations Committee

Committee on Children

Action step 3

Third, get a library card and use it and join your monthly Public Library Board meetings!

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The borrowIT Program significantly expands access for CT residents, allowing anyone with a valid library card to borrow from approximately 13 million items across participating state libraries. The current budget is $703,638. Impact reports from Dairen, Groton, Manchester, Mansfield, Putnam, and Woodsbury are available here.

Contact cultivatingjustice@chicksahoyfarm.org for more information about monthly meetings where we will be talking about this going forward.