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 only for residents living in Orange County. An eCard provides access to our Digital Library, including 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.

Yes, but only to these other Orange County City Libraries: Orange Public Library, Anaheim Public, Buena Park Library District, Fullerton Public, Huntington Beach Central Library, Mission Viejo Library, Newport Beach Public Library, Placentia Library District, Santa Ana Public Library, and Yorba Linda Public Library. Please be aware that we do not deliver or receive returns to or from these other locations on a daily basis.  It will take longer for these items to be returned to their home branch. You may be responsible for any fines you may incur at the corresponding library system. For all other libraries not listed please contact that library for suggestions.

Click this link or log into our mobile app MYOCPL . Enter your Library Card number and  Password/PIN to view your checkouts, holds, including digital checkouts and holds from OverDrive/Libby.  You can also pay bills, renew, place holds, suspend holds and change your hold pickup location.

Please return library material to the exterior or interior book return at any OC Public Libraries branch. For a list of branches, please click here. Exception please return all Library of Things material back to the library you checked it out from.

Library cards expire every three years or once a patron turns 18 years of age. To renew your about to expire or expired library card log into your account and click the Renew button. You have successfully renewed your account for another 3 years once the Renew button no longer displays.  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 the privilege will be renewed for 3 years once you show your government issued photo ID at any of our branches. At this point staff will issue you a full privilege card.

Yes, the Friends of the Library do accept some donations. 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 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

For a list of library hours and locations, see our website at https://www.ocpl.org/libraries OC Public Libraries is closed on all major holidays.

Most material checks out for 3 weeks except for Kiosk Laptops and Chargers they are due back in 2 hours and are for in-house use only. Some Reference books can be borrowed for 1 week only and do not renew, check with library staff. Please see our Borrowing Policies here.

We apologize for this inconvenience but because of the way Hoopla’s licensing works, the number of items that can be checked out daily by all our patrons combined is limited. The daily limit for Hoopla resets at midnight, please try again the next day the earlier the better.

Yes, please wait until you receive your notification. Many times the item is owned at another location and needs to be transited for you. The hold notice alerts you that the hold has arrived and is on the Hold Shelf ready to be checked out. If you find an item while searching online that is available at a branch instead of placing a hold, you can call that branch and ask them to pull it for you. Staff will place it on the Hold Shelf for you and hold it for 3 business days

You may check out a total of 50 items per full privilege library card: Any combination of Books, 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.

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

When you arrive, please call us to let staff know you need assistance retrieving your holds.

Yes, we can. Please contact our OCPL IDEA Committee at ocplideacommittee@occr.ocgov.com. They will be happy to assist you in your language via email or phone.

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.