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Library Card and Borrowing Procedures

Applying for a Library Card | Account Information | Borrowing Procedures and Lending Policy | Loan Policy and Item Limits | Fines and Fees [New] | Renewals | Holds | Additional Audiovisual Procedures

Applying for a Library Card

To obtain an adult library card, complete a library card application (English[PDF:64K] / Spanish [PDF:68K] ) and present it at any San Diego Public Library location along with a picture ID which verifies your name, currrent address, and signature (or provide other verification along with a picture ID).

Patrons younger than 18 years old may be issued a juvenile library card if a parent or guardian signs for responsibility for the card's use. Patrons under 18 must have parental permission to borrow video materials. Permission can be added at any library location.

Library cards are free to applicants who reside in California or own property in the City of San Diego, and to men and women serving in the Armed Forces who are stationed within San Diego County. There is a $30 annual fee for a non-resident Library card.

Account Information

You may access your patron account information by logging in to the online catalog and clicking on Review My Account. You will need your library card number and PIN (the last 4 digits of your home telephone number is the default) to access and manage your account. Once logged in you may:
  • renew items or view a list of titles currently checked out
  • view any fines or fees owed to the Library
  • view pending holds (holds ready for pick-up show an expiration date within 8 days)
  • change your PIN (Personal Identification Number)
Please call or visit any San Diego Public Library location for assistance.

Borrowing Procedures and Lending Policy

In order to borrow library materials you must present a valid San Diego Public Library card. You are responsible for anything that is checked-out on the card. If you change your address, notify the library on your next visit. If your library card is lost or stolen, it is very important to notify the library as soon as possible since you are still responsible for items checked out on your card.

The fee to replace a library card is $2.00/adult and $1.00/children.

Your Library Card may be used at any San Diego Public Library location. When your borrowed materials are due, you may return library materials to any public library in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Visit the Library's website to find a location near you.

Loan Policy and Item Limits

Maximum Items on a Library Card at One Time:

40

Limits by Material *

Item Limit

Loan Period

Books, magazines, and music scores

40

21 days

Audiocassettes (AC)

15

21 days

CD-Rom/DVD-Rom

3

21 days

Compact Discs (CD) – Audio Books and Music

10

21 days

Video Material (DVC, DVD, VCD, VC [video cassette], VHS [video cassette], VD)

5

7 days

Museum Membership Pass

1

10 days


*All items except museum passes may be renewed only once. Materials with holds may not be renewed. Material may not be transferred from one library card to another.

Fines/Fees

Notice to Patrons : Effective July 1, 2009, the daily fine rate for ADULT Books, Magazines, Audio and other adult circulating material (except video materials) is $.30/day.

Fine/Fee Description

Adult

Young Adult

Juvenile

Overdue Fine for Books, Magazines, Audio, and all circulating material except video (below):

$.30/day

$.10/day

$.10/day

Overdue Fine for Video Material *:

$2.00/day

$2.00/day

$2.00/day

Library Card Replacement Fee for lost, stolen, or damaged cards:

$2.00

$1.00

$1.00

Material Replacement Fee for items lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair:

$10.00/item

$5.00/item

$5.00/item

Restock Fee for unclaimed holds:

$1.00/item

$1.00/item

$1.00/item

Maximum Overdue Fine per Book, Audiocassette, Compact Disc, CD/DVD-Rom:

$20.00

$5.00

$5.00

Maximum Overdue Fine per Video Material *:

$20.00

$10.00

$10.00

Maximum Fine per Magazine, Paperback, and non-cataloged material:

$5.00

$5.00

$5.00

*Video materials are: DVD (Digital Video Disc), VC (Video Cassette), VCD (Video Compact Disc), DVC (Described Video Cassette), VD (Video Disc) and VHS (Video Cassette).

Fines and fees are subject to change; advance notice of 30 days will be posted.

Delinquent accounts may be referred for collection if materials are not returned or if more than $99.99 is owed on an account.

Renewals

Materials may be renewed online via the Library Catalog. A Telephone Renewal Service is also available at 619-236-5800 or 858-484-4440 (toll free from the North County): press 1 (for touch-tone phone), then press 3 to renew Library materials. Materials may also be renewed in person at any Library location.

Holds

All circulating materials except magazines may be placed on hold through the Library catalog. There is no fee to place a hold.

To place a hold, find the item in the catalog and select "Place Hold." Requests are usually available within 4-7 days for available items. You will be sent an email or paper notice when your request is ready for pick-up.

Items will be held for 12 days at the pick-up location after the notice is sent. There is a $1.00 restocking fee for holds not picked up. Contact your local Library branch for assistance.

There is a 25 title hold limit. Holds may not be placed on reference titles, magazines, or electronic materials. Materials with holds may not be renewed.

Additional Audiovisual Procedures

The copyright holder has licensed audiovisual materials for private home use only and prohibits any use, copying, reproduction or performance in public (unless public performance rights are indicated) in whole or in part. No admission may be charged when using any audiovisual materials.

  • Please do not attempt to repair any damaged audiovisual material.
  • San Diego Public Library will not be responsible for any damage to the borrower's audio or video equipment.

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