Library Card Information
Your library card is your key to borrowing circulating materials, accessing your account and searching databases online. A County Library card can be used at any branch in the county system. Library Card Application forms are available at all County libraries or you may download the application form, complete it, and return to any Los Angeles County library. Since identification is required to register for a card, online registration is not available at this time.
Library Card Application (pdf)
Solicitud de tarjeta de biblioteca (pdf)
Adults need to provide a current California photo ID with proof of your current address or other forms of ID and address verification. The parent or guardian of minor children (under 18 years of age) will need to sign the library card application.
Library Card I.D. Requirements (pdf)
Requisitos Para La Tarjeta De La Biblioteca (pdf)
You will also be asked to select a Personal Identification Number (PIN) when registering for a library card. The PIN is needed for placing your own requests, viewing selected information in your Library Account and for accessing the Library's Public Access Internet workstations or WiFi. If you lose the card, you will be asked to pay a small replacement fee.
You can use your library card at all 88 County libraries and bookmobiles in the County Public Library. Your library card is good for three years and may be renewed at any County library.
Library Account Information
Borrowers are able to see what materials they have borrowed, what
requests they have placed, cancel outstanding requests that are no
longer needed, renew most items, and view any fees due on their
account. You will need your 13-digit library card number and a PIN to
access the library borrower account information on either the Library's
catalog workstations or through the Library's Web site.
Accessing Your Library Account Information
With your 13-digit library card number and a Personal Identification
Number (PIN), you will be able to view selected information in your
library borrower account on the "MY ACCOUNT" page. You can also change
your PIN on your account. If you need a PIN, please visit or call your
local County Library.
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Click here to go directly to the "MY ACCOUNT" page. You then will be asked for your 13-digit library card number and PIN. |
"MY ACCOUNT" page is also available in the Library's Web Catalog as
one of the options in the search screen's menu bar. The "MY ACCOUNT"
feature is located on the right side of the menu bar at the top of the
search screen.
Circulation Loan Periods:
Renewals:
Most materials may be renewed once if there are no outstanding
requests on the item and if the material is not overdue. Materials
should be renewed on or before the due date. Materials may be renewed
in person at the library, by telephone or online on the Library's
catalog workstations or via the Library's web site. Customers can renew
most materials on their library borrower account (MY ACCOUNT). If the item is marked "NOT renewable" or if you have questions, contact your local County Library for staff assistance.
Requesting Materials Owned by the County Library:
The Library's Catalog provides access to more than 8 million books,
magazine and newspaper holdings and audio-visual items. Registered
borrowers of the County Public Library may place requests for most
library materials. Borrowers of all ages are able to place requests for
library materials. Minor borrowers will be able to place requests for
videos, DVDs and other projected media but will need parental
permission to check out the videos and DVDs.
Borrowers have the following options:
Placing your own requests on the Library's catalog workstations
Placing your own requests on the Library's Web catalog
Asking library staff to assist you in placing requests
You may place up to 20 requests on either the Library's catalog
workstations or in the Library's web catalog. There is no charge to
place a request for materials owned by the County Library.
After searching the web catalog for the title you want, click on the
"Request This Title" link in the full record of the title. You will
then be prompted for your 13-digit library card number and PIN. After
entering this information and clicking the "Login" button, the "Submit
Request" screen that contains information about the title being
requested and available options will display. The most important option
is where you would like to pick up the material. You must select a
library location to pick up the request or your request will not be
accepted.
When your request arrives at the pickup location, you will be
notified by U.S. mail. Email notification is not currently available.
You will have ten days to visit the library and check out the material.
Requesting Materials Not Owned by the County Library:
Library customers may ask the librarians at the reference desk for
information on borrowing books from other library jurisdictions.
Cooperative agreements between the County of Los Angeles Public Library
and other local and national libraries allow residents to obtain books
and other materials that are not listed in the County Library catalog.
Library customers will need to have a valid County Library card to
request materials through the InterLibrary Loan (ILL) program. There is
a $3.00 non-refundable search fee per item to place an ILL request.
Contact the reference staff at your local County Library for information about ILL guidelines and for assistance in placing an ILL request.
Overdue Materials:
The County Public Library's policy is to charge an overdue fee for materials returned after the due
date. To avoid overdue fees, return materials on time. County Library materials may be returned
at any County Library and may be returned in the book drop at the local County library when the library is closed.
Fees are charged per item for each day the material is kept beyond the due date, including holidays and other
closed days. The maximum overdue fee charged for materials kept beyond the due date is equal to seventy-five
percent of the standard price of the materials.
Overdue Fees:
Notification for Overdue Materials:
The Library sends a reminder notice to the customer 14 days after the date the
borrowed material was due to be returned. Four weeks after the due date, the
Library sends a bill to the customer for the material. The bill requests that
the customer either return the material and pay the overdue fees due or
remit payment in full for the material.
Lost or Damaged Materials:
Borrowers are responsible for returning library materials on time and in good condition. Charges for a
lost or damaged item will depend on the replacement cost for the type of material borrowed. The standard
replacement cost represents an average cost to replace an item and may not equal the "cover" price.
The cost for lost or damaged material is the replacement cost of the material type plus a processing fee. The processing
fee for most material types is $5.00. Customers may not provide replacement copies for lost or damaged items.
Collection Agency:
The County Public Library uses a collection agency to secure unreturned
materials and outstanding fees from customers who have not responded to the
notices. A $15.00 fee is added to all accounts sent to the collection agency.
Internet Acceptable Use Policy
English (pdf)
Spanish (pdf)
