Frequently Asked Questions

Getting a Library Card is easy:

1. Apply for an account online or at any our libraries, opens a new window. If you are under the age of 13 years old, your parent or guardian will have to help you complete the form.

2. Verify your account by bringing your identification (with name and proof of current California address) to any of our libraries' Circulation Desks. See below to learn how to request a Library Card by mail.

3. Start enjoying all that AC Library has to offer! 

Please note: Non-Alameda County residents’ eCard accounts will be deleted after 30 days.

What identification do I need?

Accepted forms of identification include (but are not limited to):

• California driver's license
• California ID
• School-issued ID
• Physical or digital utility bill
• Recent postmarked mail

Library Cards by Mail

For a limited time, anyone who lives in the state of California can get an AC Library Card by mail. Here's how:

1. Apply for an account online. If you are under the age of 13 years old, your parent or guardian will have to help you complete the form.

2. Tell us where to send your Library Card. We'll mail your Library Card within one week.

3. Verify your new account online or by phone.

4. Start enjoying all that AC Library has to offer! 

Paper Library Card Applications

If you would rather fill out a paper application form, please print and complete one of the below forms, then bring it to any of our locations:

Related: Library Accounts | Library Cards & eCards

Alameda County Library Cards and eCards must be renewed every five years. You can renew your account in a few different ways:

• Online via our Library Card Renewal form.  
• On the phone by calling any AC Library location. We'll ask you to provide the following information to verify it's really you:
  • Library Card or eCard number
  • Full name
  • Mailing address
  • Phone number and/or email address
• In-person at any AC Library location. You will be asked to provide your Library Card or identification with name and current address. 

Related: Library Accounts | Library Cards & eCards

We are now accepting returns at any time! You may return items to any of our Alameda County Library locations, opens a new window, no matter which location they were originally checked out from. Book drops may be closed if full.

We are not accepting donations at this time, and return receipts are unavailable.

Related: Library Accounts

If you are interested in donating material, please contact your local library first to inquire. 

If we are not the right fit for your donation, StopWaste.org may help you locate another option in your community.

Related: Library Accounts

You can suggest a purchase anonymously through this form or follow these instructions to suggest a purchase from your account.

1. Click Log In from the top right of any page.
2. Select My Library Dashboard from the drop-down menu and log in when prompted.
3. Choose Submit a Suggestion from the dashboard menu on the left.
4. Enter the title information and click on Submit Suggestion.

To check on the status of previous requests:

1. Click Log In from the top right of any page
2. Select My Library Dashboard from the drop-down menu and log in when prompted.
3. Choose Suggested this Month from the dashboard menu on the left.

To set your PIN for the first time:

1. Go to the My Account login page in the Basic Catalog.
2. Enter your Library Card or eCard number in the Barcode field.
3. Leave the PIN field blank.
4. Click Submit.
5. A new page will display with the message “Please enter a new PIN.”
6. Enter an at least four-digit PIN into the New PIN and Retype new PIN fields.
7. Click Submit.
8. Your new PIN is set!

Choosing a good PIN

We highly recommend not including any of these items in your PIN: 

• Significant dates such as your birth year or your spouse’s birthday
• Simple number sequences like 1234 or 0000 (including repetition 1122 or 2233)
• Any part of your social security number
• Any part of your address or phone number

Related: Library Accounts | PINs

The information below is a summary of our fines and fees. Please see our Policies page for the full text of our Borrowing Policy.

Please note, as of January 2022, cash registers have been removed from our libraries. Charges for replacement materials may be paid in the following ways:

• Online by credit card by logging into your account in the basic catalog.
• At a Library location (not available at Niles or Mobile & Outreach Services) at a printing kiosk. Kiosks accept credit cards, and $1 and $5 bills.
• Mail a check to our finance office. Please include your library card number beginning with 21157 on the check. You may also bring a check to your local Library instead of mailing.
  Mail to:
  Alameda County Library Finance
  2450 Stevenson Blvd.
  Fremont, CA 94538

Late Returns

Lost or Damaged Items

• Alameda County Library bills members the cost of any item more than 21 days past its due date. This bill is waived upon return of the item in good condition.
• An item will be billed for damage if, due to misuse or negligence on the part of the borrower, it is no longer fit to loan.
• A member’s borrowing privileges are suspended if the member is billed for any item. Borrowing privileges are restored once the outstanding issues are resolved.

Related: Library Accounts

After you've signed up for an eCard, make sure to take down the number you are provided. Once you've done that, you'll need to get a PIN. You can do that by following the instructions here. You will need a PIN to use most of our resources.

We have a number of eBook & eAudiobook vendors. Each of them is described in our Quick Start Guide. There you will find information about apps you might need, and getting started guides.  

If you have questions, remember that you can always contact us through our eResources email form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

Related: eLibrary | Library Accounts | Library Cards & eCards

Related: eCollections | eLibrary

We occasionally have technical difficulties with our eResources that make them temporarily unavailable.  If you aren't sure if the problem is with your computer/device or with our systems, you can look at our eLibrary. There is a box in the upper right side of the screen titled, "Current Technical Issues."  Any problems will be listed in that section.  

You can report problems to us by filling in our eResources email form. 

Related: eLibrary

There are a few different reasons why you might choose to use OverDrive/Libby differently.  Read the questions below and pick what's right for you.

• Are you an iOS or Android user?  

  If you want to read eBooks or eMagazines, listen to eAudiobooks, or get a pass for Libby Extras on an Android, or iOS device, we recommend that you use the Libby App.
  Passes for Libby Extras (The Great Courses and Craftsy) are checked out through the Libby app or the www.libbyapp.com, opens a new window site.  You will then be redirected to The Great Courses or the Craftsy site. 

• Do you have a Windows or Mac Computer or laptop? 
  If you are on a  computer we recommend that you use the www.libbyapp.com, opens a new window site or the OverDrive site at aclibrary.overdrive.com, opens a new window.
• Did you check out a streaming video?
  If you want to watch streaming video we recommend that you use the browser viewer through the OverDrive site at aclibrary.overdrive.com, opens a new window.
• Are you a Kindle user?
  If you want to read Kindle eBooks, you will need to get one of Amazon's Kindle apps or use a Kindle Device. Any book that is available as a Kindle book is also available in other formats. See our Managing Kindle eBooks, opens a new window tutorial for more information on this.
  You can send your eBooks to Kindle using the Libby app, the www.libbyapp.com, opens a new window site, or the OverDrive site at aclibrary.overdrive.com, opens a new window.
• Are you a Kindle Fire user?
  If you have a Kindle Fire you will have to use the OverDrive app or check out Kindle format eBooks.  The Libby App is not available for Kindle Fire.  You can also choose to use the www.libbyapp.com, opens a new window site in the browser.
• Do you use a screen reader or other accessibility tools? 
  If you use a screen reader or other accessibility tools, you can use the OverDrive site at aclibrary.overdrive.com, opens a new window  or the Libby app. For more information about accessibility at OverDrive, check out their accessibility article, opens a new window.  For accessibility information specific to the Libby app, check out their Libby accessibility page, opens a new window.

Need more help?

Check out this helpful device guide from OverDrive or look at our Quick Start Guides for more info.

If you're still not sure which app is best for you, feel free to contact us - we'd be happy to help!

Related: eLibrary