Your Library Card

Any California resident can get an Oakland Public Library card. Library cards are free and are available at all our locations. You must apply for your card in person (unless you are eligible for Extended Services). You can print out an application form below and complete it at home to bring with you when you come in. If you are over 17 years old you must also bring in two pieces of identification, one of which verifies your current address. A child's application (for age 12 and under) needs the signature of a parent or guardian. If you are between 13 and 17 years old, you can either apply with a parent or guardian's signature or by bringing in one piece of acceptable identification.

Library Card Application (in PDF format)
Adult/Teen (English)	Adult/Teen (Spanish)	Adult/Teen (Chinese)	Adult/Teen (Korean)	Adult/Teen (Vietnamese)
Kids (English)	Kids (Spanish)	Kids (Chinese)	Kids (Korean)	Kids (Vietnamese)

You must have your own library card with you to check out library materials. You are responsible for all items checked out to you.

If your card is lost or stolen, or if you change your name or address, notify the library immediately. There is a $2.00 fee for replacing lost cards.

Loan Period

Most library materials are checked out for 3 weeks. All videotapes, DVDs and some popular books circulate for 7 days. There are limits on the number of materials you may borrow at one time, depending on type of material, subject, and local demand.

Returning Library Materials

All circulating Library materials, except tools, may be returned to any branch or book drop of the Oakland Public Library.

Materials returned to other public library systems are not considered returned until they are checked in by the Oakland Public Library. Fines will be charged for overdue items.

Renew Items

You may renew a book one time unless someone else has placed a hold on it. Videos, DVDs and CDs cannot be renewed.

You can renew online at any time by logging in to your account in the library’s computer system, or by calling the library’s automated telephone renewal number at (510) 238-3311. During open hours you may also renew in person or by phone at any OPL location.

To renew online:

Sign In to your account (For instructions on how to sign in click here).

On the "My Account" screen click on the line that says: "Items currently checked out."

There are two ways to renew:

• Click the "Renew All" button to renew everything you have currently checked out.
• Or you may click on the checkbox preceding the title of the item(s) you want renewed and click the "renew selected" button.

Once you click either renew button your screen will refresh and show you the new date due in the status field of the item. Some items may not be renewed if other patrons have placed holds on them.

If you have trouble renewing your items, call your local Oakland Public Library location for help.

Request Items / Place Holds

You may place a hold on a book that is owned by the Library but not currently available. Once you have located an item in the catalog, you can place a request/hold on it and have it sent to a particular location to pick up. No holds are allowed on videos, CDs, reference materials, or on items in some special collections. The Library no longer charges for holds. You can have a maximum of 15 “active” (not yet filled) holds at any one time.

If the book you wish to borrow is not owned by the Oakland Public Library, you may place an interlibrary loan request for a fee (see the table below for the current ILL request fee). The Library will then try to borrow the book from another library system.

Please note: EVEN IF A REQUESTED ITEM SHOWS AS “AVAILABLE” AT THE DESIRED PICK-UP LOCATION, any hold request placed online will take at least 3-5 days to be filled and sent to the designated pick-up location. If you need an item immediately that is listed as “In”, please call the branch that owns the item and make arrangements for pick-up with branch staff.

To Place Holds Online:

• Sign In to your account (For instructions on how to sign in click here).
• Search the catalog by using the search box that you see on the screen or by clicking the "Catalog Home" button.
• Once you find the item, click the "Request" button. If there is no Request button visible, you are looking at an item that cannot be placed on hold.
• Choose the location where you would like to pick the item up from the top drop-down menu.
• If you can't use the item after a particular date, enter that date on the "Cancel if not filled by" menus.
• Click Submit.
• If the item status is "Available" it will be sent to your pickup location and will normally be available within a week.
• If all copies are checked out or the item is still on order, you will be placed on a hold list.
• You will be notified by e-mail or mail when the item is ready to be picked up.

If you have trouble placing holds, call your local Oakland Public Library location for help.

Fines and Fees

Note: New rates effective August 1st, 2009

Schedule of fines for overdue materials, fees for lost library card replacement, and other fees

Please return library materials on time. You will be charged the current replacement cost for each item not returned. If the item is returned damaged, you will be charged a damage fee.

Privacy

Information about your registration and borrowing records is confidential by state law. Click here to view OPL privacy policy.