Library Cards
Library Cards & Your Account
Library cards are available for free to permanent and temporary residents of California. With an LA County Library card, you can:
- check out books, magazines, and DVDs
- place holds and access your account online
- access library databases from home
- download audiobooks, books, and music
- use the Library’s public computers and internet
- connect to Wi-Fi at all LA County Library locations
Library Card
To get a library card, fill out an application and bring it to any LA County Library location along with a valid ID. Cards are valid for three years and can be renewed by calling or visiting a library. If your library card is lost or stolen, report it immediately. Replacement cards cost $3.00.
Valid Identification (ID) Options
Library Card ID Requirements
We accept ONE of the following:
- California driver's license or certificate of renewal with current address printed on the front
- California ID card with current address printed on the front
- Mexican Consular Identification card (“matricula consular”), Argentine Consulate, Korean Consulate, or Peruvian Consulate Identification card with current address.
We accept TWO of the following:
- Utility bill or other billing statement issued within the last 60 days, showing current address
- Check imprinted with name and current address
- California driver's license or California ID card indicating change of address on the back
- Self-addressed postcard mailed by the library and returned by the applicant
- Rent receipt, imprinted with the property management company or apartment building name, issued within the last 60 days showing current address
- Bank statement issued within the last 60 days showing current address
- Government issued medical ID card showing current address
- Valid vehicle registration showing current address
- Valid passport (U.S. or foreign), or Mexican Consular Identification card (Amatricula consular@), Argentine Consulate, Korean Consulate, or Peruvian Consulate Identification card with previous address
- Valid alien registration card
- Current student ID with photo
- Current employee ID with photo
- Current membership store ID with photo
- Current pay stub, imprinted with company name, issued within the last 60 days and showing applicant's name
- Out-of-state driver's license
**Choices 9 through 15 cannot be used together to provide valid identification. One secondary ID must
include a current address.
Opciones de identificación válida (ID)
REQUISITOS PARA LA TARJETA DE LA BIBLIOTECA
Aceptamos UNO de los siguientes documentos:
- Licencia de conducir de California o certificado de renovacion con la direccion actual al frente de la tarjeta.
- Tarjeta de identificacion de California con su direccion actual al frente de la tarjeta. Matricula Consular Mexicana, Argentina, o Peruviana, o tarjeta de identificación de la Republica de Corea con su direccion actual.
Aceptamos DOS de los siquientes documentos:
- Recibo de utilidades u otro recibo que usted halla recibido durante los ultimos 60 dias, y que tenga
su direccion actual. - Cheque con su nombre y direccion actual impresos en el mismo.
- Licencia de conducir de California o tarjeta de identificacion indicando su nueva direccion en la parte de atras de la misma.
- Tarjeta postal enviada por la biblioteca a su domicilio la cual puede ser regresada personalmente.
- Recibo de renta con su direccion actual que tenga imprimido el nombre de la compania que administra su vivienda o el nombre de su edificio, que le halla sido dado en los ultimos 60 dias.
- Estado de cuenta del banco que halla recibido durante los ultimos 60 dias y que tenga su direccion actual.
- Tarjeta medica enviada del gobierno con su direccion actual.
- Registracion de vehiculo con su direccion actual.
- Pasaporte vigente (de Estados Unidos o del extranjero) o Matricula Consular Mexicana, Argentina, o Peruviana, o tarjeta de identificación de la Republica de Corea con su direccion previa.
- Tarjeta de migracion vigente.
- Identificacion vigente de estudiante con su foto.
- Identificacion vigente de trabajo con su foto.
- Tarjeta de membresia de almacen con su foto.
- Su mas reciente recibo de pago, imprimido con el nombre de su compania de trabajo, que halla recibido en los ultimos 60 dias y que tenga su nombre.
- Licencia de manejar de otro estado.
**Numeros 9 - 15 no pueden usarse juntas para proveer una identificacion valida. Una segunda identificacion tiene que incluir la direccion actual.
Library Cards for Children and Teens
There is no minimum age requirement to apply for a library card. Children and teens under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign their library card application. Parents/guardians can restrict their child/teen from checking out DVDs. For a child/teen to access the Internet, parents/guardians must be present and fill out an Internet Access Permission form. All fees related to lost or damaged items or lost library cards are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Student Card
We’ve partnered with participating schools in our service area to offer the Student Card with the following benefits:
- Unlimited access to the Library’s online resources
- Up to 3 print items from the library checked out at one time
- Access to library computers (with parental consent)
- No fines or fees. Ever!
Check with your school to see if the Student Card is available.
Books Unbanned Card
To help support teenagers ages 13-18 years old in California, LA County Library’s Books Unbanned initiative offers free and unrestricted access to the Library’s entire digital eBook and audiobook collection on Libby, by OverDrive, which includes many frequently-banned titles. The Books Unbanned card allows 5 check outs at a time and is valid for one year. Learn more about Books Unbanned.
LA County Library X Laufey Book Club Library Card
LA County Library has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning artist Laufey to bring you an exclusive LA County Library X Laufey Book Club library card – available starting August 24 at all LA County Library locations, while supplies last! Learn about Laufey card.
Access Your Account
You can access your library account by logging into the online catalog and clicking “My Account.” From here, you can:
- Renew items, check due dates, and view fees
- Check status of holds, cancel holds, change pickup location
- Place a vacation hold by entering the dates you will be gone and we will delay your hold until you return
- Update your address and phone number
- Change your PIN
- Update your email
Digital Library Card
Get a Digital Library Card to receive immediate, unlimited, and free access to LA County Library’s online resources, including eBooks and audiobooks, movie and TV streaming, and music downloads.
Get a PIN
A PIN allows you to place holds and access your account online, use the Library’s public computers, and use virtual Library resources. You are given a PIN when you first apply for a library card. If you have a library card but do not have a PIN or have forgotten it, you can request a PIN online or by calling any LA County Library location.
Borrowing Materials
Visit this page for information about borrowing materials, placing holds, interlibrary loans, and fines & fees.
Computer Card
Customers who are ineligible for library cards (for example, people traveling from out of state), can apply for a computer card that allows them access to the Library’s public computers and Wi-Fi. Valid for one year.
Get Notices by Email
Email notices are a fast way to find out when your library material on hold is available for pick up. Email notices are sent 3 days before your items are due, reminding you to return or renew them.
Library Policies
View all library policies and guidelines.
Have Questions?
Take a look at our FAQ page for answers and a link to contact us.
