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Your library card

Applying for a Library Card | e-Card | Full-access Card | Lost Cards | Change of Address | Charges | Loan Periods | Returning Library Materials | Renewals Library Fines

*Your library card is the most powerful one in your wallet! Use it to:

 


Applying for a Library Card

Your library card is free and may be obtained by visiting any library location. Contra Costa County residents who do not have a library card may apply for an e-Card online to begin using our virtual services from outside the library.

The e-Card

Complete the online application to obtain an e-Card. The online application is also available in Spanish.

When you are ready to check out materials, pick-up holds, or use the computers in any Contra Costa County Library location, you must come in to the library to exchange your e-Card for a full-access library card.

The Full-Access Library Card

Please visit any library location with positive ID and proof of address to obtain a full-access library card. This information is required to exchange your e-Card for a full-access library card.

You may use:

  1. Current Contra Costa County library card
  2. Current Driver's License with current address
  3. Current California I.D. Card with current address

OR, two other pieces of identification, one of which must have current address:

  1. An ID with name plus a proof of current address
  2. Printed bank check
  3. A piece of first class mail postmarked within 30 days
  4. Voter registration card
  5. Utility bill
  6. Car registration
  7. A letter from a Social Service Provider stating that the individual receives mail at the provider's address, plus name verification, plus one other name identification.
    Example of some of the current Social Service Providers:

    BOSS Multi Agency Service Center (MASC),
    1931 Center Street
    Berkeley, California 94704
    (510) 843-3700

    Bay Area Rescue Mission -- Men's Shelter
    200 MacDonald Avenue
    Richmond, California 94801
    (510) 215-4868 Men's Shelter

    Bay Area Rescue Mission - Women/Family Shelter
    224 MacDonald Avenue
    Richmond, California 94801
    (510) 215-4860 Women/Family Shelter

The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on applications of children under 13 years of age.

Lost Cards

If your library card has been lost or stolen, please report it to the library as soon as possible. To replace a missing card, you must come into any Contra Costa County Library location and present address verification.

You may continue to use our online resources, until you are able to visit a library to replace your card, by using the online application to receive a new e-Card number.

Change of Address

Address changes must be made in person. Please bring positive identification and verification of your new residence to any community library location to update the contact information in your library account. If you have moved from the area and will no longer be visiting our libraries, please report it to the Library immediately so that we may cancel your card.

Charges

Replacement of lost library cards:

Lost books, etc.:

Loan Periods

Most materials may be borrowed for three weeks. The loan period for DVDs, videos, adult periodicals, and holiday materials is one week.

Returning Library Materials

Library materials may be returned to any Contra Costa County branch library during library open hours or to library book drops after the library is closed. Materials must be returned by the closing hour of the due date.

Renewals

You may renew items unless they are on hold for someone else and if your account meets the following conditions:

Books are limited to 2 renewals. DVDs, Videos, books on tape, CDs, and CD-ROMs are limited to 1 renewal. Renewals are not allowed for periodicals, institutional card items, or Books By Mail. Materials may be renewed in person, by telephone, or online.

Library Fines

To encourage the timely return of library materials and to make them more available to others, it is the policy of the Contra Costa County Library to charge fines for overdue materials. Fines include Sundays, holidays and closed days. Materials must be returned by the date due. Borrowing privileges are suspended when you have lost items or fines over $10.00.

Fines For Overdue Materials

Adult/Young Adult $0.25 per day
Children $0.10 per day
Videos/CD-ROMs/DVDs $1.00 per day

Maximum Fine Per Item

Adult & YA Catalogued material (Fiction, Non-Fiction, CD`s, Cassettes) $5.00 per item
Adult and YA Uncatalogued material (Paperbacks, Magazines, Pamphlets) $2.00 per item
Children's books, paperbacks and periodicals $1.00 per item
Videos/CD-ROMs/DVDs $5.00 per item

An overdue bill is sent when materials are 30 days overdue. Materials should be returned to any branch of the Contra Costa County Library. Materials returned to libraries outside of the Contra Costa System may accumulate fines. Fines already accumulated on an item at the time of renewal are not cancelled. You will not be notified of fines. Upon request, staff will be glad to advise you of any overdue fines. Fines paid are non-refundable.