Borrowing Policies and Information
Getting a Library Card
Library Cards are free to residents of California. You must provide photo identification with your name and current address. Acceptable identification (ID) includes:
- A California driver’s license or other ID card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles
- An ID card issued by the Mexican, Argentinian, or Korean Consulate
If you don’t have one of the above IDs, you can provide separate proof of identity and address. Provide one each of the following items:
- Photo ID (passport, school ID card, employee ID card, other government issued photo ID), and
- Proof of address (printed personal check, credit card statement, rental or property tax receipt, or business mail with current postmark)
If you’re under the age of eighteen, identification isn’t required. Your parent or guardian’s signature on the library card application is accepted instead of identification.
How to Get a Card
- Apply in person at any Los Angeles Public Library location, or
- Pre-register online and visit the library to receive your card.
E-cards
Los Angeles City residents can get an e-card instantly online. Patrons who already have a regular library card don’t need an e-card.
Licensing agreements with our digital content vendors require that only Los Angeles City residents can receive an e-card.
Other Library Card Types
Teachers can apply and borrow up to 50 items for use in the classroom.
Los Angeles United School District (LAUSD) students are automatically assigned a Student Success Card.
Homebound library patrons may choose a friend or neighbor to pick-up and return library materials.
The City E-card offers free training resources to all Los Angeles City employees.
For applicants whose permanent address is outside of California, there is a non-resident fee of $50.00.
Non-resident cards are issued and renewed in person only, at the time of payment. Cards are not issued through the mail.
Loan Periods, Limits, and Fees
Checkout Limits
|
Type of Card |
Maximum Items Checked Out |
|---|---|
|
Regular Card |
30 |
|
E-Card |
30 |
|
Student Success Card |
5 |
|
Teacher Card |
50 (with librarian approval; some restrictions apply) |
Loan Periods
Different loan periods and fees may apply to materials not listed below. Ask library staff for details.
|
Type of Item |
Loan Period |
|---|---|
|
Circulating books, magazines, audiobooks |
3 weeks |
|
DVDs, videocassettes, music cassettes and CDs |
1 week |
Failure to return materials may result in the borrower’s account being turned over to Unique National Collections, a materials recovery agency.
Lost Material Fees
The fee for lost materials is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the item. If the MSRP is unavailable, default fees are listed below.
|
Lost or Damaged Material |
Default Fee |
|---|---|
|
Hardback book (Adult/YA) |
$25.00 |
|
Hardback book (Juvenile) |
$15.00 |
|
Paperback book |
$10.00 |
|
Audiobook or CD |
$25.00 ($60.00 for whole set) |
|
DVD |
$30.00 |
Borrowing Information
You can access your Library account on our catalog or with our mobile app. You can review items currently checked out on your library card, including overdue and lost items. You can renew items and review the status of titles you have placed on hold. You can also cancel holds on items you no longer need. Use the Change of Address Form to report changes in your account.
You can place a hold on an item using our catalog or mobile app. After finding the title you want to reserve, choose a pickup location and we’ll notify you by e-mail or text message when it’s ready to pick up. If you need help placing a hold, library staff will guide you through the process or place the hold for you. The maximum number of holds on a patron record at any time is 30. If no copy becomes available, your hold may be canceled automatically.
Most items may be renewed a maximum of three times. Reference materials may not be renewed nor items for which there are pending holds or reserves.
Eligible items will be automatically renewed on the due date. You may also renew items by accessing your library record or by phone: (888) 577- LAPL. Each renewal grants you an additional loan period from the renewal date.
The library also offers a Telephone Circulation Service. Youu can renew your items by telephone, 24 hours a day, by calling the toll-free number: (888) 577-5275. If you are outside the toll-free area, dial (213) 623-9930. Telephone circulation also lets you review your library record to find out what you have checked out, when it is due, if items you reserved are being held for you, and if you have any unpaid fines or fees.
Checked out items may be returned to any Los Angeles Public Library location. Items may be returned in person or through a bookdrop. At Central Library, bookdrops are located at the Flower and Hope Street entrances and curbside at the 5th Street entrance.
To get notifications about holds, due dates, and overdue items, ask at a library location or contact us. You can also change your notification settings using the catalog.
Available Notification Methods
- Hold Notices: email, phone call, text message
- Overdue Items: email, phone call
- Due Date reminders: email