Comics Plus Free With a Library Card: How to Get In and Which Collection to Pick

Written by Mustafa Bilgic, Operator Sources checked: September 28, 2026
✓ Last Updated: September 2026 | Checked against official sources by Mustafa Bilgic, Operator

Comics Plus is a digital comics service sold to libraries and schools: thousands of comics, graphic novels, manga and picture books, with no holds, waitlists or borrowing limits. Readers do not pay for it. Comics Plus says it is free for readers through participating schools and libraries, so what you need is a library card, and at many libraries a choice between a children's, teen and full collection. Pick your library below, and add the reader's age to see where Comics Plus's own age guide places them.

Comics Plus access finder and age guide

Choose your library to see its collections and how you get in. Add the reader's age to see where Comics Plus's own age guidelines place them.

Your answer will show here.

Library details checked September 28, 2026. Age categories are Comics Plus's own and serve as a guide, not a rule.

Libraries that offer Comics Plus

We read the Comics Plus page or database entry of each library below. Four of the six split Comics Plus into separate collections by audience, and each of the four names them a little differently.

LibraryStateCollectionsHow you get inWorth knowing
Los Angeles Public LibraryCAChildren's, Teen, FullCard number and PINLibrary still names the LibraryPass app
Sacramento Public LibraryCAChildren, Teen, FullLibrary cardApp for Apple and Android
Denver Public LibraryCOAll Access, Teen, Children'sLibrary cardChildren's collection includes picture books
DC Public LibraryDCOne link for all readersLibrary cardNever a wait to read
Milwaukee Public LibraryWIAll Ages, Teen, Children'sMilwaukee County cardOpen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Prince George's County Memorial Library SystemMDNot namedOnline resources listSeven-day checkouts, unlimited renewals

From each library's own page, read September 28, 2026. Many other public and school libraries subscribe; look for Comics Plus in your library's digital collections.

How Comics Plus works

Comics Plus describes itself as a digital reading platform with thousands of comics, graphic novels, manga and picture books in curated collections. Comics Plus says what sets it apart from other digital reading platforms is the lending model: unlimited, simultaneous access, with no holds, waitlists or borrowing limits. Several readers can open the same title at once, so a whole book club or class can read the same volume at the same time.

  • Any time, from home. Comics Plus says all titles are available 24/7 and that readers can use it from home or anywhere with internet access.
  • Devices. Desktops, laptops, tablets, Chromebooks and phones, through a web browser or the mobile apps for iOS and Android.
  • Offline. The Comics Plus app lets you download titles to read offline.
  • My Shelf. You can add as many titles as you like to your shelf, then pick one and choose Read Now or Continue Reading.
  • New titles. Titles and publishers are added monthly. Publishers named on the Comics Plus site include ABDO, Dark Horse, Fantagraphics, IDW, Image Comics, Kodansha, Oni Press, Papercutz, Tokyopop, UDON Entertainment and Yen Press.

One library describes it a little differently. Prince George's County Memorial Library System in Maryland says checkouts are for seven days with unlimited renewals, so check your own library's page if a title seems to expire. For other comics sources at the library, see our OverDrive, Libby and hoopla comparison.

Signing in with your library card

Comics Plus answers the basic question directly: yes, you need a library card or school login, because access comes through a participating library, school or institution. It also says account setup varies. Some libraries give automatic access, while others ask you to create an account with your library card, and password questions go to your library's login system.

That variety comes from the library side. Comics Plus offers libraries a list of sign-in methods, from barcode checks (SIP2, Patron API and prefix) to referral links, IP authentication and single sign-on, and it leaves the choice to each library, so the screen you see depends on where your card comes from. The libraries in the table describe theirs:

  • Los Angeles Public Library: your library card number and PIN.
  • Milwaukee Public Library: open to all library card holders in Milwaukee County.
  • Denver, Sacramento and DC: your library card.

In the app, download Comics Plus from the App Store or Google Play, search for your school or library and follow the prompts. Once you are logged in, you stay logged in until you log out. If your library's page mentions the LibraryPass app, it is the same app: Comics Plus says the app was formerly called LibraryPass. On privacy, Comics Plus says reader activity is anonymized by default, though library settings can vary.

Which collection to pick

Comics Plus offers public libraries Children's, Teen and Adult collections, and libraries can manage their own collection preferences. On library pages that shows up as two or three links:

  • Denver says its All Access Collection contains everything in Comics Plus, while the Teen and Children's collections are limited to that content, and the Children's one includes picture books.
  • Los Angeles offers Children's, Teen and a Full Collection that includes adult titles.
  • Sacramento says to select the collection that is right for you: Children, Teen, or the Full Collection.
  • Milwaukee lists an All Ages Collection, a Teen Collection and a Children's Collection.

For a young reader, the children's link is the safer start, since a full collection can include adult titles, as Los Angeles notes. To judge a single title, Comics Plus uses six age categories of its own:

  • Emergent: PreK to grade 1, ages 3 to 5, for early readers.
  • Children: grades K to 3, ages 5 to 7. Titles may include mild conflict or emotional themes.
  • Kids: grades 3 to 5, ages 8 to 10. Titles may include mild peril or emotional conflict.
  • Teen: grades 6 to 8, ages 11 to 14, with moderate thematic content, action or suspense.
  • Young Adult: grades 9 to 12, ages 15 to 18, with more mature themes, violence or language.
  • Adult: ages 18 and up, with mature themes intended for adult readers.

Comics Plus calls these guidelines proprietary and designed to support local decision-making, so treat them as a guide. For reading groups built around comics, see our library teen programs guide and book club kits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Comics Plus free?

Yes, through a library or school that subscribes. Comics Plus says it is free for readers through participating schools and libraries, and Los Angeles Public Library says it is free and easy to access with your library card number and PIN.

How do I log in to Comics Plus with my library card?

Start from your library's Comics Plus link, or open the Comics Plus app, search for your library and follow the prompts. Some libraries give automatic access and others ask you to create an account with your card. Los Angeles asks for your card number and PIN.

Is there a Comics Plus app?

Yes, for iOS and Android. It was formerly called LibraryPass, and it lets you download titles to read offline. Once you log in, you stay logged in until you log out.

Does Comics Plus have holds or borrowing limits?

Comics Plus says no: access is unlimited and simultaneous, with no holds, waitlists or borrowing limits. Prince George's County says checkouts there run seven days with unlimited renewals.

What is Comics Plus Library Pass?

LibraryPass is the company behind Comics Plus, which its help center describes as powered by LibraryPass. Its app was called LibraryPass before it became the Comics Plus app, and Comics Plus is now part of The Joyful Reading Company.

What ages is Comics Plus for?

All ages. Comics Plus sorts titles into Emergent (ages 3 to 5), Children (5 to 7), Kids (8 to 10), Teen (11 to 14), Young Adult (15 to 18) and Adult (18 and up). Four of the six libraries in our table split access into children's, teen and full collections.

Related Library Guides

OverDrive vs Libby vs Hoopla Comparison Library Teen Programs Library Book Club Kits PressReader Free With a Library Card Get a Free Library Card Online Best Digital Library Resources

Sources

Every rule, fee and figure on this page comes from the official page listed here. We read each one on September 28, 2026. The Comics Plus FAQ answers and age categories sit in click-to-open panels and a slide carousel on the company's site; the text is visible to readers when opened.