Frequently Asked Questions

Applicant must live in California. You can visit your local OCPL branch or apply online (https://web.ocpl.org/n/LibraryCardApplication/). At the branch present a valid ID.

If you are under eighteen, you must have your parent/legal guardian sign your library application and include their ID number.

Alternatively, you can also apply for an eCard  Restricted to only for those living in Orange County. An eCard provides access to online databases and downloadable eMedia. It cannot be used inside the library to borrow material, place holds on material from the library, borrow from the laptop kiosk, nor is it valid for use of the public library Internet computers.

Patrons with an existing OC Public Libraries card already have this access and do not need an eCard. To learn more about how to get a library card, please visit: https://ocpl.org/cards 

To replace your library card please Contact Us

Minors, age 17 or younger must have parent/legal guardian sign the application and include their ID.

OCPL accepts and returns materials to the following ten public libraries in Orange County: Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange (City) Public, Placentia, Santa Ana, and Yorba Linda. However, it will take much longer for them to be returned to their library system and you are responsible for any fines you may incur at the corresponding library system during this time. 

Click this link to view your checkouts, holds, including digital checkouts and holds from OverDrive.  You can also pay bills, renew, place holds, suspend holds and change your hold pickup location.

Please return library materials in the book drop at a branch library of your choice. For a list of branches, please see our website at https://www.ocpl.org/libraries

For your convenience, items will automatically renew after 10am on their due date if they are eligible for renewal.

Items with holds, items renewed five times, Reference books, Chromebooks, Hotspots, Interlibrary Loan items, Homebound patrons and Lucky Day books are not eligible for renewal. Library of Things are not renewable, except for Board Games and  Jig Saw Puzzles.

Please verify your due dates by logging into your account by visiting: https://catalog.ocpl.org/client/en_US/default

To market your book to OC Public Libraries, please see the information on our website at: https://www.ocpl.org/services/about-ocpl/how-market-your-book-oc-public-libraries

This will vary by Friends of the Library locations. Please call your local branch with a Friends' Bookstore, to learn if they are accepting donations https://ocpl.org/page/friends-bookstores

For a list of library hours and locations, see our website at https://www.ocpl.org/libraries

Yes, please wait until you receive notification, as holds take time to process based on availability and transit times.

Material checks out for 3 weeks (unless there is a hold) except for Kiosk Laptops and Chargers they are due back in 2 hours and are for in-house use only. Please see our Borrowing Policies here.

Library cards expire every three years or once a patron turns 18 years of age. To renew your library card log into your account and click the Renew button. Please Contact us for assistance or if there are changes to your address or contact information.

For newly turned 18 years old please provide a government issued photo ID, like a driver’s license/permit, State ID, Passport, or Military ID.

Temporary Cards cannot be renewed they are good only for 30 days. Please bring your government issued photo ID to any of our branches to replace your temporary card

Because of the way Hoopla’s licensing works, the number of items that can be checked out daily in all of OC Public Libraries (32 branches) is limited. The daily limit for Hoopla resets at midnight, so you can try again the next day. Apologies for the inconvenience.

You may check out a total of 50 items per full privilege library card: Any combination of Books, Best Seller, Lucky Day Books, Magazines, DVDs, CDs & Audiobooks.

Some item exceptions include:

• 2 Backpacks per card
• 1 CA. State Library Park Pass per card
• 1 Chromebook per card
• 1 Hotspot per card
• 1 Library of Things per adult (18 yrs and up) card
• 3 Lucky Day per card

For more information loan limits for other item types and other library card types visit: https://www.ocpl.org/services/about-ocpl/borrowing-privileges-and-policies

Materials may be borrowed for the regular loan period, which for most items is 3 weeks. 3 Week Items include: Books, Lucky Day Books, Best Sellers, DVDs, CDs, Audiobooks, Backpacks, Hotspots, Chromebooks, State Park Passes, Magazines & Scores.

When you arrive, please let the branch staff know you need assistance retrieving your holds.

Please contact our World Languages Committee at OCPLWorldLanguagesCommittee@occr.ocgov.com. They will be happy to assist you in your language via email or phone.

Please see the OCTA website for current bus schedules at https://www.octa.net/

You may place 25 holds per full privilege library card and 2 holds on temporary library cards.. To learn more about borrowing privileges and policies, visit: https://ocpl.org/services/about-ocpl/borrowing-privileges-and-policies

Most library items automatically renew five times, on the due date, after 10 am, unless the item has holds, exceeded renewals, patron has a bill of $20.00 or greater, or the item is not renewable. Please check your account online or call a branch library for assistance. Consider changing your notification to email to get a list of what renewed and what didn't renew.

Fulfillment times for holds vary based on availability and transit times. You will receive a notification when your holds are available according to your selected preference: email, text, or phone. Please refer to the hold pick up notification for the deadline to pick up your items. After that date, your item(s) will be placed back on the shelves.