Library Card and Account
Your full-access library card is free and allows you to borrow materials from all 26 community libraries of the Contra Costa County Library. In addition, a full-access library card provides access to online resources, free and discounted museum passes, internet access, and more. Applicants must be present to receive a library card.
Your Library card is valid for 3 years from the date of issue. Expired cards can be renewed for free in person at any Community Library upon presentation of valid picture ID and proof of current address. In addition, email notices will be sent with instructions on how eligible library card accounts can be renewed online. You may also visit the library website, at ccclib.org, for more information on renewing your library card account.
Children under 13 must indicate their understanding and consent to get a library card. A typical way to do so is by writing or printing their name in the signature area of the library card application (first name only is acceptable). The signature of the parent or legal guardian is required on applications of children under 13 years of age. Before signing as a parent or legal guardian, please be sure you have reviewed the privacy policy statement. The applicant, parent, or legal guardian must provide picture identification and address verification.
Applicants must confirm their identity by providing picture ID with their full name, along with address verification. Parents may provide their own ID, for their minor children. You may use any combination of the documents listed below:
Accepted ID and address verification documents:
- Current California driver’s license or California ID card (Temporary driver’s license is not acceptable)
- Government-issued ID (military, green card, etc.), country, state, county, or city; domestic or foreign
- Student ID card
- Recent report card, graded paper, or other school documentation
- A credible ID issued by a reputable business or organization
- Imprinted personal bank check or a payroll check (payable to customer)
- A piece of first-class mail postmarked within the past 30 days
- Voter registration card
- Utility bill (print or electronic)
- Automobile registration
- A letter from a Social Service Provider stating that the individual receives mail at the provider’s address
If no verification for a permanent address can be shown, an Address Verification Postcard can be sent to the patron’s residence. The postcard can be presented to library staff to serve as proof of residence or mailing address.
You need only one library card account.
Jump to: Schedule of Fines & Charges | Notifications
LOAN PERIODS
- The loan period for books, books on CD, DVDs, kits, magazines, music CDs, and CD-ROMs is 3 weeks.
- LINK+ loan periods are determined by the lending libraries.
Loan periods may only be extended through routine renewals.
RENEWALS
Most items will be automatically renewed, except as described below. Alternately, items can be renewed in person during open hours; by telephone at 1-800-984-4636 - menu option 1; or through your online account at ccclib.org.
- Books, Books on CD, DVDs/Movies, Music CDs, CD-ROMs, and Kits & Things, will be allowed 2 renewals, as long as the account remains in good standing and there are no other patrons waiting to borrow that item.
- Magazines, Lucky Day Items, Park Passes, Book Club Kit materials, Stories-to-Go Danville Kits, and materials checked out to an Institution Account or Access Account may not be renewed.
Materials cannot be renewed if:
- The library card account is expired, and has not yet been renewed
- The item has been renewed as many times as allowed
- The item is needed to fill a request for another patron
- The account has unpaid fees totaling $10.00 or more
- The account is blocked because of a lost item
LINK+ items may be renewed no sooner than 3 days before the item is due and no later than 2 days after the due date. LINK+ items cannot be renewed if the item is needed to fill a pending request for a patron at the owning institution. Renewal requests must be processed through your LINK+ account. These items are subject to the borrowing policies of the LINK+ member libraries.
FINES, FEES, AND CHARGES
It is the policy of the Contra Costa County Library to charge for lost and damaged library materials to encourage their timely return, thereby making returned material available to others.
Borrowing privileges are suspended if:
- The account has charges or fees of $10.00 or more
- The account has items that are 30 days or more overdue
Materials must be returned by the due date. A bill for lost items is sent when materials are 30 days overdue and the account will be blocked. If any long overdue items are returned to the library in good condition, the associated lost fee and processing fee will be cleared from the account.
Materials can be returned to any of the 26 community libraries of Contra Costa County Library. Items can be returned to the outside book drop, when the library location is closed. Materials returned to a library other than a Contra Costa County Library, will not be cleared from your account until they have arrived back at Contra Costa County Library.
Notices will be sent regarding lost items. Fees and charges are listed on your online borrower account at ccclib.org, calling 1-800-984-4636, or inquiries can be made by calling or visiting your local community library.
SCHEDULE OF FINES & CHARGES - EFFECTIVE March 1, 2022
| TYPE OF MATERIAL | LOST AND DAMAGED CHARGE | PROCESSING CHARGE* |
| All Books, CDs, and DVDs | Item price or $25.00 | $10.00 |
| All Magazines | $5.00 | -- |
| Kits | Replacement Cost | $10.00 |
| Equipment | Replacement Cost | $10.00 |
| Link+ Interlibrary Loan Items | Determined by lending library, not to exceed $115.00, including processing fee | -- |
*Processing fees for lost items are non-refundable if the item is later found and returned.
OTHER CHARGES:
| Missing portions of sets & kits, including cases | $8.00 |
| Print / Copy Smart Card - Initial Purchase | $0 .50 per card |
| Black & White Copies | $0.15 per page |
Black & White Prints
|
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| Color Prints / Copies | $0.50 per page |
| Returned Check Fee | $15.00 |
| Materials Recovery Late Fee** | $10.00 per account |
| Non-refundable Meeting Room Fee*** | -- |
| Large Room | $40.00/hour |
| Small Room | $10.00/hour |
** Materials Recovery fee assessed on an account when oldest fine/fee is 60 days past due, and the total balance due is $50.00 or more.
*** Meeting rooms at Antioch, Concord, El Sobrante, Kensington, Pinole, Pleasant Hill, and Ygnacio Valley Libraries
AUTOMATED ACCOUNT NOTIFICATIONS
Automated account notifications may be sent by email, phone, or text message when available. Please contact your local branch to update your notification
preferences.
The Library will send notifications as follows:
Library Card Renewals
- The Library will notify patrons several weeks before their library card is about to expire and needs to be renewed.
Holds ready for pick-up:
- When an item is available at the requested pick-up location a hold pick-up notification will be sent. Items will be held for 7 days.
Due date reminder notifications:
- 2 DAYS BEFORE ITEMS ARE DUE: Courtesy due date reminder notice will be sent. If an item was successfully automatically renewed, a new due date will be provided. If the item could not be renewed, the due date will remain unchanged.
Overdue notifications are sent as follows:
- 10 DAYS OVERDUE: Library sends overdue notice by e-mail or phone
- 30 DAYS OVERDUE: Overdue items are now set to Lost. Library sends a bill by email for lost item(s). The account is blocked. If there is no email address provided, no notice will be sent.
The frequency of notifications will depend on the volume of activity on your account. Message and data rates may apply. Please contact library staff if you wish to opt-out of receiving notices. You may also check your due dates and current account status online at ccclib.org, or by calling 1-800-984-4636, or visiting your nearest community library.
For more information about your library card and account, see our Frequently Asked Questions.