Borrowing From the Library

How do I get a Library card?

Bring a photo ID with current address (and an additional piece of mail if ID is not current) to any of the 27 SFPL locations.

Please see Getting a Library Card for complete details.

Special Notice Regarding E-Card Users: Due to electronic vendor licensing agreements, San Francisco Public Library must suspend issuing e-cards, effective immediately. Existing e-cardholders must validate their current address no later than April 10, 2009 in order to continue using SFPL databases and other electronic resources remotely. This validation must take place in person with appropriate identification and proof of address at any San Francisco Public Library Branch or the Main Library. The Library will continue to investigate ways of offering a revised e-card in the future. We recommend that non-San Francisco Bay Area residents check for similar electronic resources at their local public library. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Do I have to renew my library card? Does my library card expire?

Most San Francisco Public Library cards expire after four years and must be renewed. To renew an expired card, present either the original card or current identification with proof of address at any of our 27 locations. Once your card is verified, it may be used to borrow materials and access our online resources.

Your card expiration date is listed below your name in the top left hand corner of Your Library Record.

Why does my library card expire?

Having cards expire helps us keep our database current and ensures that all library correspondence goes to the correct address. The card itself does not need to be replaced, nor is there a fee for renewing your card.

Can I renew my materials (books, videos, etc.) online?

Yes. (See the Item Limits page for how many times you may renew an item {Renewal Limit.})
On the Library Catalog search page:

1. Click on the Log In button and enter your library card number and PIN.
2. Click on Items Currently Checked Out.
3. Click the box next to the items you wish to renew, and click on the Renew Selected button.

Some items may not be renewable due to:

• outstanding holds [requests] by other patrons
• fines above $10
• an expired Library card (Registration)
• you may have already renewed the item the maximum number of times

Call Borrower Services at 415-557-4363 for questions about your account. 

See a sample login screen below:

Can I renew my materials over the telephone?

Yes. Call 415-557-4511 and be prepared to punch in your library card number and the barcodes of the items you wish to renew. Look at Renewing Items by Telephone page for more details.

How much is the fine for overdue materials?

For adults 18-64 years of age, the fine is 10¢ per day per item; except for videos/DVDs which are $1.00 per day. For adults 65 or older, the fine is 5¢ per day per item; except for videos/DVDs which are $1.00 per day. There is a maximum fine of $5.00 on any item.

Here is a complete schedule of fines and fees.

Can I use a credit card to pay my fines?

To pay your fines with a credit card:

1. Log in to your Library Record
2. Click on the fines/fee link and then click the Pay Online button. (The fines/fees link is only visible if you have unpaid fines or fees.)

3. Click on Select All or choose the
   fine(s) you wish to pay by credit card. Click on Recalculate.
4. Enter your billing and credit card information; click OK. You will be automatically sent a payment confirmation to the e-mail address listed in your library record.

Do I have to pay all my late fees at once?

Late fees can be paid at the time the items are returned or later. You may continue to check out items if you have less than $10.00 in late fees. Billed items must be paid in full.

I recently paid for a lost book that I just found. Can I get my money back?

The Library refunds payments for lost items for up to one year from the date the item was paid for. The $5.00 processing fee is deducted from that amount. Refunds can be obtained with receipt from any of our 27 locations.

To request a book, DVD, CD, etc. online:

1. Search for the desired item in the Library Catalog.
2. From a list of search results, click on the title to display the full record.
3. Click on the Request button near the top of the screen to request the title displayed. See screenshot below for location of button.
   
4. Follow the instructions on the following screen by entering your Library card number, PIN, Pickup Location from the drop-down menu, and clicking the OK button.
5. Next, you will see a screen with the title of the item you requested and your pickup location to which the first available copy will be delivered. If the item you requested has more than one volume, you will see a list from which you may select the volume number and location. Choose the volume you wish to select and click on the Request Selected Item button at the end of the list.
   

Each library user may place up to 15 requests at a time on library materials; the computer system won't let you place more than that.

When the item you requested is available, you will receive a notice via e-mail or U.S. mail telling you where to pick up your request. At that time, you may want to call the branch where the item is being held to make sure it is ready for pickup.

How many materials can I take out at a time?

You may have a maximum of 50 items on your Library Card at a time, which includes up to 10 videos/VCDs/DVDs, 10 audiobooks, and 10 CDs.

Here are more details on item limits.

Can I return my SFPL library materials to one branch if I checked them out from another?

Yes. You may return your SFPL materials to ANY of the branches or the Main Library regardless of where they were checked out.

How do I request multiple items?

The easiest way to place multiple requests is to first log in to your Library account by clicking on the Log In to Your Record link on our home page. Once logged in, click on Search the Catalog to find an item in the Catalog, click the Is it Available? button to display the item, and click the Request button at the top or bottom of your screen. Make sure you select a Pickup Location from the drop-down menu. You may continue adding additional items to your request list without re-entering your PIN as long as you remain logged in to your Library record. The default cancellation date is six months from the date you place the request.

If you are not already logged in, another way to place multiple requests is to use the Save Result feature, where you save your search records and then place your requests all at once by selecting them from your saved list.

1. Click the Save Result button at the top of the screen of the item you want to request (this is after you have clicked the Is it Available? button).
2. Continue searching and clicking Save Result for each item you want to save.
3. When you are ready to request the items you saved, click the Saved Items button at the top. Click the Place Holds on Saved Items button. A list of your saved records will appear at the bottom of the screen. If you don’t want to request all of the items on your list, select the ones you want by clicking inside the check boxes. Enter the requested information and select the appropriate Request button.

You can always ask a librarian to demonstrate these steps to you, or take one of our free classes at the Main Library.