Library Services - How to Get a Library Card

En Español: Como obtener tarjeta de biblioteca

Besides allowing you to check out books, CDs, videos and other media, your library card gives you access from home to many commercial databases and special services. You can look up magazine and newspaper articles, use a variety of databases, and find new books and authors to read. Your card also allows you to "check out" electronic books (Downloadable Audio and eBooks). What a bargain!

Who Can Get a Library Card:

Library cards are available free to local residents 5 years of age or older.

Special homebound borrower cards are available for persons who are unable to visit a branch library because of physical disability or extended illness.

Applying for a Library Card:

You may apply for a library card in person at any one of our branch libraries. If you like, you may start the process by printing off the application form from our website. The application form is available in pdf format. Bring the filled-out form and your ID to your nearest branch library to complete the process.

Acceptable IDs:

Adults:

Any official identification with a name and picture is an acceptable form of picture identification.

Examples include: In state, out of state, or international driver's license or state identification; US or international passport; Matricular Consular (obtained from Mexican Consulate); student identification; picture bus pass; credit card with picture; employee card with picture, etc.

You must also show verification of your mailing address if you wish to use your card at the time you apply for it. Otherwise, it will be mailed to you.

Youth:

A young person 14 to 18 also needs to show identification. If you do not have a DMV ID, or cannot verify your mailing address, the card will be mailed to you.

Children:

Children 5 through 13 do not need to show identification. Library cards are mailed to the parents of children 5 through 13 unless parents are present when the child applies for a card. Parent signatures are not required for children's cards, but we do wish parents to understand our confidentiality and other rules for the use of children's cards.

Visitors:

Visitors with library cards from other California public libraries are eligible for borrower privileges. For further details ask at one of our branches.

Your Right to Privacy:

California Law (Government Code Sec. 6267) obligates the library to treat all borrower records confidentially. This means that we cannot give information to anyone other than you about your library account or what you have checked out on your library card.

  View Library Policy related to this service

Available at these branch libraries:

• Available at all branches

Last updated by ann on June 10, 2009