Your
Library Card
Your
Oakland Public Library card is your gateway to borrowing books, magazines,
audiocassettes, videos, compact discs, government publications, pamphlets,
maps and pictures from the Main Library and any of the branches of
the Oakland Public Library. Library cards are free. Apply by showing
two pieces of identification, one of which verifies your current address.
A child's application needs a parent's signature.
You must have
your own library card with you to check out library materials. You
are responsible for all items checked out to you. If your card is
lost or stolen, or if you change your name or address, notify the
library immediately. There is a fee for replacing lost cards.
Loan
Period
Most library materials are checked out for 3 weeks. All videotapes
and DVDs circulate for 7 days. There are limits on the number of materials
you may borrow at one time, depending on type of material, subject,
and local demand.
Renewals
You may renew a book once unless someone else has placed a hold on
it. Videos and CDs cannot be renewed. You may renew materials at any
Oakland Public Library location in-person, by phone, or online through
the Catalog.
Returning
Library Materials
You may return all Oakland Public Library materials to any of the
Library's branches or bookdrops. You may also return these materials
to other public libraries in the East Bay; however, these items are
not checked in until they arrive at the Oakland Public Library.
Please return
library materials on time. You will be charged overdue fines for items
returned late: 10 cents per day for each item, $1.00 per day for each
video or book-on-tape. There are no fines for children's materials.
You will be charged the current replacement cost for each item not
returned. If the item is returned damaged, you will be charged a damage
fee. If the barcode is removed from or damaged on any item checked
out to you, you will be charged 50 cents per barcode.
Placing
Holds
You may place a hold on a book that is owned by the Library but not
currently available. Holds on the first 25 books you reserve per year
are free, then we ask 50 cents per book for each additional book.
However, there is never a charge for holds on children's books. You
can place your own hold on a book while browsing the catalog. No holds
are allowed on videos, CDs, reference materials, or on items in some
special collections.
If the book you
wish to borrow is not owned by the Oakland Public Library, you may
place an interlibrary loan request for 50 cents. The Library will
then try to borrow the book from another library system.
Patron
Records
Information about your registration and borrowing records is confidential
by State Law.
