Library Cards FAQs

  • General Questions

    If you apply for your library card online you will have immediate access to your library card number and can use that to access most electronic resources, and to reserve and use computers in the library.

    You won't be able to borrow physical materials until you verify your identification.

    Your card will expire in 30 days. You must verify your identification with library staff before the expiration date to continue to use your card.

    You create a PIN when you apply for a library card. Your PIN is a four-digit number.
     
    If you do not have a PIN, call or visit any Oakland Public Library location. 
     
    You can reset your PIN by logging into your BiblioCommons account and looking under My Settings.

    All library cards expire every 3 years. You can renew your card online, emailing eanswers@oaklandlibrary.org, opens a new window, calling (510) 238-3134, or visiting any Oakland Public Library location, opens a new window.

    If you got your library card online, it will expire in 30 days. To receive full borrowing privileges and update your card, please visit any Oakland Public Library location, opens a new window or contact us, opens a new window.

    All residents of California can have a library card.
     
    Library cards are free.
     
    Apply online or at any OPL location.
     

    Anyone who lives in California.

    You do not need to live in Oakland or have a permanent address. You do not need to be a US citizen or permanent resident.

    You can have a library card at any age!

    Call (510) 238-3134. We can figure out what's wrong.

    Adults will need to show an ID to get a library card. You can use:

    • DMV License or ID from California or another state
    • Student ID
    • Bank check or statement with your name and address
    • Current medical ID card
    • Any piece of mail addressed to you
    • Rent or mortgage agreement with your name and address
    • Current credit or debit card
    • Social Security card
    • Passport from any country
    • Matricula Consular ID
    • Permanent resident card
    • Photo ID transit card
    • Other identification as approved by library staff in charge

    Teens need one of the above, or a parent signature, or school books or homework with their name.

    No, the Oakland Public Library does not ask for gender on our library card applications.

    Any California resident is eligible to get an Oakland Public Library card. 

  • 2023 Library Card Art Contest

    Main Library and Dimond Branch will hold all nine (9) winning designs. We recommend you reach out to branches before visiting them to ensure that your desired designs are still in stock.

    81st Avenue Branch

    • We Are All Rulers of Our Artistic Journey
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Women of the Black Panther Party
    • Emory Douglas: The Black Panther Minister of Culture

    African American Museum and Library at Oakland

    • African American Musicians
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • Emory Douglas: The Black Panther Minister of Culture
    • Oakland's Hip Hop 50

    Asian Branch

    • African American Musicians
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Oakland's Hip Hop 50

    Brookfield Branch

    • Angela Reads
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • We Are All Rulers of our Artistic Journey
    • Oakland’s Hip Hop 50

    César E. Chávez Branch

    • Angela Reads
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Emory Douglas: The Black Panther Minister of Culture
    • Blooming Knowledge

    Eastmont Branch

    • African American Musicians
    • Women of the Black Panther Party
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • The Transformation of Silence into Language

    Elmhurst Branch

    • Angela Reads
    • Emory Douglas: The Black Panther Minister of Culture
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Blooming Knowledge

    Golden Gate Branch

    • African American Musicians
    • Angela Reads
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • Oakland’s Hip Hop 50

    Lakeview Branch

    • Angela Reads
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • The Transformation of Silence into Language

    Martin Luther King Jr. Branch

    • Angela Reads
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Women of the Black Panther Party
    • Oakland’s Hip Hop 50

    Melrose Branch

    • We Are All Rulers of Our Artistic Journey
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • Emory Douglas: The Black Panther Minister of Culture

    Montclair Branch

    • African American Musicians
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • Women of the Black Panther Party
    • Oakland’s Hip Hop 50

    Piedmont Avenue Branch

    • Angela Reads
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • The Transformation of Silence into Language
    • Spray Painting Oakland

    Rockridge Branch

    • We Are All Rulers of Our Artistic Journey
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Oakland’s Hip Hop 50
    • Blooming Knowledge

    Temescal Branch

    • African American Musicians
    • Blooming Knowledge
    • The Transformation of Silence into Language
    • Women of the Black Panther Party

    West Oakland

    • We Are All Rulers of Our Artistic Journey
    • Spray Painting Oakland
    • Women of the Black Panther Party
    • Emory Douglas: The Black Panther Minister of Culture

    Cards are available while supplies last!

    While you can collect different designs for Your Library card, only one (1) card/barcode number is allowed per patron to check out books, use digital resources etc.

    You can upgrade your current library card to a Limited-Edition library card. Or, you can request to keep your current library card, while collecting the limited-edition card(s) of your choice.

    If you currently do not have Your Library card or an account, you must sign up for one (it's free!) to receive a Limited-Edition library card, and/or to start collecting other designs. Email us at eAnswers@oaklandlibrary.org for support in accessing new or different library card designs.

    Cards will be available on February 5, 2024

  • Extended Services

    You can add a designated borrower to have someone check out for you. Ask staff at any location to add this to your account.

    If you are not able to come to the library because of a disability and want to apply for Extended Services, contact staff at any location.

    You can use the Oakland Public Library from anywhere you have internet access. You can sign up for a library card online, then download or stream digital books and movies, watch our online programs, get book recommendations, and so much more from home!

    If you are a person with a disability, please ask library staff about getting Extended Services.

    If you can't come to a Library in person to pick up your library card, contact Mana Tominaga, Extended Services Coordinator, at (510) 238-6611 or mtominaga@oaklandlibrary.org.

    Extended Services for People with Disabilities includes the following:

    • More time with materials. You can keep materials for six weeks, not just three. You can also renew materials six times, not just three.
    • More holds. You can place 30 holds at a time, not just 15.
    • Answers at your home. We will mail or fax answers to "ready reference" questions to your home.

  • Teacher Cards

    When you request a class visit, please upload a class roster with your students' full names and birth dates. A staff member will follow up with you on next steps. 

    • Oakland Public Library cards are good at any branch of the OPL system. 
    • There is no charge for new or replacement cards.
    • Students who have lost their cards do not need to apply again. They will need to confirm their address, phone number, and date of birth.
    • Encourage your students to return any books they may have at home!

    You can verify your current Teacher Status with any of the following:

    • School or institution ID
    • School or institution paystub
    • CA family childcare home license
    • Affidavit of Private School
    • Letter of acknowledgement of homeschooling from a local school district (Oakland, Piedmont, or Emeryville)

    There's no separate application for a Teacher Card. Fill out a regular library card application and visit the library or contact us to request teacher card status.

    Teacher cards must be renewed every two years by showing proof of continued work as an educator.

    • Borrow print books for six weeks instead of three
    • Up to 30 holds at a time, instead of 15
     
    Teacher cards cannot be used to borrow Link+ or interlibrary loan items, or items for personal use. 
     
    eBooks and other digital materials cannot checked out for longer than usual with a Teacher Card.

    Any individual who currently works as a:

    • teacher
    • educator
    • administrator
    • librarian
    • childcare provider
    • afterschool program provider

    at a school, childcare facility, adult educational facility, or afterschool program in the cities of Oakland, Emeryville, or Piedmont.

    You will need a paystub or other proof of employment.