Library Card & Borrowing Procedures | San Diego Public Library

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.

Non-resident annual fee for a library card is $30.

With a San Diego Public Library Card, you can:

check out books, magazines, DVDs and CDs
place holds and access your account online
access library databases from home
download audiobooks and ebooks

Applying for a Temporary Library Card

If you are new to the San Diego Public Library, use this page to register online for a temporary library card which will allow you to place holds for desired titles and to use the online databases. The temporary card is valid for 14 days. If you have an expired card or need a replacement card, you do not need to use this online form; instead, please visit your local branch library for assistance.

Follow the steps below to activate your access.

Patrons younger than 18 years old can register for a library card using the Online Library Card Registration. In addition a parent or guardian needs to sign for responsibility for the card's use. Bring the completed/signed Parental Permission form to any library location. Parent/Guardian needs to check whether permission is granted to borrow video materials. Los usuarios menores de 18 años pueden registrarse para una tarjeta de la biblioteca usando la Registración de Tarjetas de la Biblioteca en Línea. Un Padre de Familia o Guardian Legal necesita firmar y tomar responsabilidad del uso de la tarjeta. Lleve el Permiso del Padre de Familia (haga click aquí) llenado y firmado a cualquier biblioteca de la Ciudad de San Diego.

1. I have read and agree to the library's Borrowing Procedures and Lending Policy.

2. If you agree to the terms and conditions of the online library card, please click on the "Yes, I want a Library Card" button below.

3. Complete the online registration application.

4. A Temporary ID will be issued to you by the library system. A confirmation email reminder with instructions on how to obtain a Permanent Library card will be emailed to you the next day if you entered an email address in your online application. For full access and a Permanent Library Card, bring your Temporary ID # and identification to any San Diego Public Library location.

If you do not wish to apply for a library card online, please complete the library card application (English [PDF:64K] / Spanish [PDF:68K]) that is available below. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the application.

Applying for a Permanent Library Card

Bring the printout or email with your temporary library card # and present it at any San Diego Public Library location along with a picture ID which verifies your name, current address, and signature (or provide other verification along with a picture ID).

Preferred Forms of Identification	Verification of Address
California Driver's License	If your current address is not listed on your photo identification, please bring one of the following documents:
California identification Card	Utility bill (electric, cable, phone, water)
Government issued ID Cards (including Military Identification)	Official mail with a recent postmark, i.e. bank statement, insurance bill, etc.
Passport	Vehicle registration or proof of insurance
University, College, School Identification	Checkbook & preprinted checks with your address

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 12 days)
change your PIN (Personal Identification Number)
add or update your email address

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.

When you sign your library card you assume responsibility for anything that is checked-out on the card. If you change your address, email address, etc., 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.

When an item is lost, you will be charged the cost of the item plus a processing fee.

Your library card privileges must be renewed every two years.

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. 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
eReader	1	21 days

*All items except the eReader Device and Museum Pass 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

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
Maximum Fine eReader Device:	$20.00

*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

All materials may be renewed one time online via the Library Catalog. A Telephone Renewal Service is also available during library opening hours 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. Each item may be renewed one time only. Please note that items with outstanding holds cannot be renewed.

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.