About the Library

Loan Periods

There is no charge to check out library materials. All Sacramento Public Library materials circulate for 21 days.

Renewal

Most library materials, unless reserved for another patron, may be renewed for up to three additional loan periods.Patrons may renew materials through “View Your Library Record” in the online catalog, by telephone, 916-264-2952 or 916-264-2953, or in person at any branch location.

Borrower Records

Patrons with proper identification may have access to their library borrowing records. Parents or legal guardians with proper identification may have access to their children’s records only when the materials become overdue. In addition, patrons may view their record and modify some personal information through “View Your Library Record” online. A library card number and PIN is required.

Borrowing Limits

Library patrons may have up to 50 borrowed items on their account at any given time. Within this limit patrons may borrow up to 5 recorded books on CD, 5 DVDs and 5 Playaways.

Returning Materials

All borrowed materials may be returned to any library location, at any time, regardless of where the materials were borrowed.

Fees and Charges

Late fees

Children’s materials, all magazines, and all paperbacks: $.05 per day late, $1.00 maximum, per item.

Adult materials: $.25 per day late, $5.00 maximum, per item.

All videos and DVDs: $0.25 per day late, $5.00 maximum, per item.

Once a card has amassed $5.00 or more in unpaid fines or fees, the card cannot be used to check out library materials until the fines or fees are paid.

Lost or Damaged Materials

Charges for cataloged adult and juvenile materials are determined by the unit price of the item, as listed in the catalog. Lost interlibrary loan materials are charged by the owning library ($60 minimum). The charge for lost periodicals is $5. Lost paperbacks result in a charge of $8. Lost items obtained through LINK+ are subject to a charge of $115. A nonrefundable handling fee of $5 per item will be charged for all lost or replaced items.

Charges for deliberate damage to library materials will be determined by library staff within established guidelines.

Collection Agency

Each week, accounts overdue 70 –76 days are sent to a collection agency. If materials are returned the charge is the total overdue fees for all materials plus a single service charge of $10.00

Other Charges

Returned checks: $10.00 service charge

Replacement library card: $2.00

Interlibrary Loan: $5.00 initial search fee. The owning library may charge additional fees.

No charge to check out materials

No charge to reserve materials (except Interlibrary Loan)