BORROWING MATERIALS

Checking out materials at the Library require a valid library card. In case the patron does not have their library card, we accept a valid photo ID as verification.

Unfortunately we cannot verify an account by PIN number.

For PIN number changes, address changes, or account information, patrons must present a valid library barcode (physical or digital format) AND their valid photo identification (so that staff may look up their library card number). The list of acceptable identification is as follows:

California ID or driver’s license
Consular card
Current middle school or high school photo ID (ages 12-18 only)
Out-of-state photo ID or driver’s license
Government-issued passport
Government-issued Permanent US Resident card (Green Card)
Military photo ID• Current college or university photo ID

Expired documents, photocopied documents, and photographs of documents are not accepted.

A library card number may be used in conjunction with the account PIN at the self-checkout stations only.

Children (ages 0-11) and Teens (ages 12-18) who do not have their library card or ID with them must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can present their valid photo ID

Members in good standing may check out up to 60 total items from any of our locations, subject to the limits outlined below.

Item Type	Item Limit	Loan Period	Renewals
Most Items	60	4 weeks	3
DVDs	25	1 week	3
Music CDs	60	2 weeks	3
Magazines	60	2 weeks	3
Audiobooks	25	4 weeks	3
Adult New Books	25	2 weeks	3
eBooks & Digital Media See eBooks & Digital Media	varies	varies	0
Book Group in a Box	1	6 weeks	0
DIY Sustainability Kits	1	2 weeks	0
Interlibrary Loans	20	2 weeks	See Reference Staff

Caring for Library Materials

Library materials are for the benefit of all users and should be treated with care. Report problems to library staff; do not attempt to repair items. Please refer to our Caring for Library Materials guide for more information.

Renewing Materials

Starting July 1, 2019, most items checked out to your library account will renew automatically three days prior to the due date. Eligible items will renew up to three times. Loan periods will extend from their original due dates. Renewal periods will be the same length as the original loan period. Manual renewal is still available for eligible items in-person or through your Online Account. For more information view the FAQ.

Materials will not be renewed if:
• There is a hold on the item
• The item has already been renewed the maximum number of times
• Your account is blocked due to fines or fees
• They are non-renewable, such as Book Group In a Box kits
• They are Inter-Library Loan items
• They are digital items (e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming movies, and music)
• The item was already overdue prior to July 1, 2019

Need help? Please contact staff using (310) 458-8600 during open hours.

Returning Materials

Santa Monica Public Library materials of any type may be returned at any location during open hours or in the exterior return bins. Items that are long overdue will be billed for the items, in addition to processing fees.

Main Library: Exterior bins are located at the side of the building on 6th Street. There is also a bin on the P1 level of the underground parking structure (enter on 7th Street, no charge if you exit the structure within thirty minutes).
Fairview Branch: Two exterior bins are located at the front of the building along Ocean Park Blvd.
Montana Branch: Exterior bin located at the entrance to the parking lot on 17th Street.
Ocean Park Branch: Two exterior bins are located near the public building entrance along Norman Place.
Pico Branch: Two exterior bins are connected to the building, located to the right of the main entrance.