All LA County Library locations will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 in observance of Thanksgiving. Our digital library is open 24/7.
You can check out up to 50 items on your library card.
Materials can be renewed on or before the due date. They cannot be renewed if there is a waiting list. To renew items, log into My Account or call a LA County Library location. You can return your items to any LA County Library location or bookdrop.
All past, present, and future late fees have been eliminated. We’re excited to remove this barrier to enjoying library services.
Loss or damage to library materials will still be assessed. Items that are not returned within 28 days of the due date will be considered lost and the customer will be billed the full replacement cost of the item. Customers can avoid this charge by returning library items on time.
Library notices for holds and overdue materials are sent to customers either by phone or email. To update your telephone number or email, log into My Account or call a LA County Library location. The next time you check out library materials you will be asked to show a valid ID. To sign up for email notices, complete this form.
To place a hold, call your local LA County Library location or log into the online catalog (top-right corner), search for the item and click “Place Hold.” If you are going on vacation, enter the dates you will be gone and we will delay your hold until you return. To view, modify or cancel your hold, go to My Account. To change the default location where your items are delivered, you must call a LA County Library location.
If an item is not available or is located at another library, you can place a hold on it. When available, it is delivered to your LA County Library location and is held for you for 7 days. The time it takes for your hold to arrive varies depending on where the item is being shipped from and if there is a waiting list. You will receive a phone call, or a mail or email notice when your hold is available for pickup. You can place up to 50 holds.
If an item is not in our LA County Library collection, we can request it for you from another library system through Interlibrary Loan. It is at the discretion of the owning library whether to loan the item. Be aware that many libraries do not loan audiovisual or recently published materials. A $3 fee per item is charged to your account when you receive the item, which can take several weeks to arrive. Loaning libraries may charge additional fees; you can indicate a maximum fee you are willing to pay. To use Interlibrary Loan, contact one of our open LA County Library locations.
7-Day Holds Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 7 days include days the library is closed like Sundays or holidays?
Yes, the 7 days is calendar days, including days the library would regularly be closed. This includes Sundays and holidays.
Does this affect my 50-item limit? Do I have to pick up all my filled holds at the same time?
It does not affect the 50-item limit. Customers can still select which holds they want to pick up during their visit. Leaving holds behind for another pickup visit does not extend the shelf expiration date of the items still on hold that are left behind.
Many of our libraries offer enhanced resources, computers, and online services to support your homework needs. Check with your local library!
Kindle Paperwhite eReader
Welcome to a New Way to Read...
Have you walked into a library and wished you could check out more books than you could possibly carry? Check out a Kindle Paperwhite at participating libraries with a collection of titles that you are sure to enjoy. Each Kindle has been loaded with expert-selected books.
You don’t need internet access - all the books are pre-loaded onto the Kindle so you are ready to read.
Three week checkout
Renew up to 3 times, as long as no one else is waiting
Must be 18 or older (or under 18 with parent permission)
eBooks cannot be added to this device by user
How do I get one?
Visit a participating library to check out or place a hold on a Kindle Paperwhite. Kindles are not sent to other libraries for pick up.
Note: Selection of genres varies per library. Click on a library below to see the list of genres.
Library Locations with eReaders
Click on the library to view list of genres available.
Terms of Service and Laptop Library Locations
Laptops in this kiosk can be checked out by customers with a LA County Library card in good standing. The laptop is due back in the kiosk before the library closes on the same day it is checked out.
If you do not return the laptop to the kiosk on the same day you check it out, your library account will be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.
When you check out a laptop from this kiosk, you agree to use it within the library only. If you remove the laptop from the library, you may held criminally responsible for theft of the laptop and/or be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.
You are responsible for the laptop and you agree that you will reimburse the LA County Library for any damages if the laptop is damaged, lost or stolen while checked out to you.
If you check out a laptop and it is damaged, you will give it to library staff immediately.
You must save to a removable storage device (such as a USB drive) since your work will not be saved to the laptop beyond your current checkout.
LA County Library will not be held responsible for any damage or loss of data or media due to any cause while you are using a laptop from this kiosk.
By using this laptop, you must adhere to the Library’s Acceptable Use Policy. Laptops are available at the following libraries:
With your LA County Library card, you can download or stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, music, and movies on your computer, tablet, or phone. It's free and you'll never have to worry about overdue fines!
You'll need a library card in good standing and a PIN to access most downloadable & streaming content.
Consumer Health Information Program
The Consumer Health Information Program assists the public with medical research by providing information from reliable sources. Customers are invited to use the Norwalk Library collection which consists of books, magazines, videos, and online databases related to health topics. We also provide individualized research services.
Please be aware, we do not provide medical advice, nor are the materials we provide a substitute for a professional medical opinion.
What Can We Do for You?
We can provide you with information on topics such as:
Medical conditions or diseases
Prescription medications
Surgical procedures
General physician and hospital information
Book and website recommendations for further reading
A Family Place Library is a center for early childhood information, parent education, emergent literacy, socialization, and family support. Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parent involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in young children's growth and development. Each Family Place Library features the following core elements:
A bright, colorful, and welcoming space for young children and their parents.
A collection of books, toys, videos, music, and other materials for babies, toddlers, parents, and service providers
Access to resources that emphasize emergent literacy, reading readiness, and parent education.
Developmentally appropriate programming, such as baby and toddler storytimes for younger children and their parents.
Outreach to new and underserved populations.
The Parent-Child Workshop is a five-week workshop featuring local professionals, such as nutritionists, speech and language therapists, and child development experts, who serve as resources for parents.
The first three years of a child's life lay the foundation for learning. Get the tools and resources you need to give your child the best possible start.
Great! Thank you for sharing your photos with Catalina PhotoShare, a community history project of LA County Library.
Your photos will be reviewed and if they meet the criteria, they will be added to the Catalina PhotoShare online collection.
If you have any questions, please contact: digitalprojects@library.lacounty.gov
LA County Library Californiana Collection
Accessing the Collection
The Californiana Collection is in closed stacks at the Norwalk Library located at 12350 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk, CA 90650.
About the Collection
The Californiana Collection consists of over 24,000 books and over 200 magazine and newspaper titles in paper and on microfilm as well as a collection of state documents including state and county budgets. The goal of this collection is to present a complete picture of the history, culture, environment and artistic expression of the people of California and to some extent, the western United States.
Collection Highlights
California Census Schedules from 1850 to 1910
Copies of The Alta California newspaper 1849-1891, as well as dozens of other 19th century newspapers from Gold Rush boomtowns, the Owens Valley and San Francisco
Official city and county histories from the 19th and 20th centuries
Materials on the Donner Party, California water projects, famous California crimes, Hollywood culture, biographies of Californians, pioneer narratives of the early days of California, and histories of the state written over the course of 150 years
