Los Angeles County Library
LA County Library provides books, digital collections, public computers, research assistance, and programs for all ages. Use its official services to find a location, apply for a library card, manage borrowing, or access online resources.
Start here: Find a library and its hours, review library card options, open the catalog and My Account, or explore eBooks and audiobooks.
Independent, non-government information: This website is not affiliated with LA County Library. We do not issue cards, reset PINs, manage borrowing accounts, or process library payments. Use the official library services linked below.
Services and Locations
The official LA County Library website connects readers with the catalog, digital materials, events, learning resources, and service announcements.
Use the location directory to search nearby libraries and compare available services. Filters include Sunday hours, meeting rooms, study rooms, cultural and veterans resource centers, bookmobiles, and tool lending libraries.
Check the individual location's page before traveling. Hours, closures, equipment, and specialized collections vary. Some research databases are available only inside a particular library.
When placing holds or returning materials, confirm that the location belongs to LA County Library. A library's geographic location within Los Angeles County does not by itself establish that it is part of this system.
Library Cards and Eligibility
Regular library cards are free for permanent and temporary California residents. Complete an application and bring acceptable identification to an LA County Library location.
The official library card page provides applications, identification requirements, and information about specialized cards.
| Card type | Who it serves | Main features |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Library Card | Permanent and temporary California residents. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian's signature. | Borrowing, holds, account access, digital resources, and public computer services. Cards are valid for three years. |
| Digital Library Card | Los Angeles County residents age 18 or older. | Immediate access to online resources. Individual digital services have their own borrowing limits. |
| Student Card | Students at participating schools. | Online resources, up to three print items at a time, and computer access with parental consent. The program has no fines or fees. |
| Computer Card | Customers ineligible for a regular card, including visitors from outside California. | Public computer and Wi-Fi access. Valid for one year; it is not a regular borrowing card. |
| Books Unbanned Card | California teens ages 13–18. | Access to the digital eBook and audiobook collection on Libby, with five checkouts at a time. Valid for one year. |
Identification for a Regular Card
A qualifying California driver's license or California identification card with your current address printed on the front can satisfy the requirement by itself. The library also lists specified consular identification cards with a current address.
Otherwise, two documents from the library's secondary list may be required, including one showing your current address. Certain statements and receipts must have been issued within the last 60 days.
Not every pair is acceptable. For example, an out-of-state driver's license and a student photo ID cannot be used together as the only two documents. Review the complete identification and combination rules before visiting.
Children and Teens
There is no minimum age for a regular library card. A parent or guardian must sign an application for someone under 18 and is responsible for applicable charges involving lost or damaged materials or lost cards.
Internet permission is separate from the card application. The library requires a parent or guardian to be present and complete an Internet Access Permission form for a child or teen to use the internet.
Ask the school about Student Card participation. A regular youth card, Student Card, and Books Unbanned Card have different features and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Accounts and PIN Recovery
Sign in to the online catalog using your library card number and PIN, then open My Account.
Account tools allow you to:
- Check due dates and account charges.
- Renew eligible items.
- Review, modify, or cancel holds.
- Update contact information.
- Change your PIN.
Forgotten PIN
Select “Forgot your PIN?” in the catalog and enter your 13-digit library card number. The recovery link is sent to the email address on file.
If no email address is on your account, contact a library location. The library recommends calling a location for the fastest response to a forgotten-PIN question.
Card Renewal and Replacement
Regular cards are valid for three years and can be renewed by calling or visiting a library. Report a lost or stolen card immediately; the published replacement-card fee is $3.
Keep your contact details current so borrowing and pickup notices reach you. When using a shared computer, sign out and follow the catalog's instructions to clear the cache and close the browser window.
Borrowing, Renewals and Returns
The official borrowing page lists the following standard loan periods and renewal limits.
| Material | Loan period | Renewals |
|---|---|---|
| Books and CDs | 21 days | Up to three |
| DVDs | 7 days | Up to three |
| Magazines | 7 days | One |
| Bookmobile materials | 21 days | Up to three |
A regular library card generally permits up to 50 items checked out. Student Cards permit up to three print items. The borrowing page also lists a three-item limit for online digital cards; confirm physical-material privileges with staff if you are using a card issued online.
These limits should not be applied to every digital collection. Libby, Hoopla, and other online services have separate checkout rules.
Automatic Renewal
Eligible materials automatically renew on their due date when there is no waiting list and renewals remain. You can also request renewal through My Account, the library app, or a library location by phone.
Check your account for the resulting due date. An item that has reached its renewal limit or is needed by another borrower may not renew.
Returning Materials
Most items can be returned to any LA County Library location or bookdrop. Learning & Workforce Chromebooks and tools must be returned to the library where they were borrowed.
Other devices may have their own return conditions. Kiosk laptops remain inside the library and must be returned to the kiosk before closing on the day they are borrowed.
Late Returns, Lost Items and Charges
LA County Library does not charge late fees. Charges for lost or damaged materials still apply.
Materials overdue by 28 days or more are considered lost, and the account is billed the replacement cost. Returning the item reverses that replacement bill.
The library states that it uses a collection agency for outstanding bills exceeding $50 when customers have not responded to notices. Contact library staff about account charges rather than assuming that the fine-free policy removes all financial responsibility.
Holds and Interlibrary Loans
Requesting an Item in the Library Collection
Sign in to the catalog, find the item, and select Place Hold. You can also place holds through the library app or by calling a location.
You may have up to 50 holds. When an item becomes available, it is sent to your selected LA County Library pickup location and held for seven days.
Wait for the pickup notice before traveling. Arrival depends on the item's location and any waiting list.
My Account allows you to review, modify, or cancel holds and change a hold's pickup location. To change the default delivery location, call a library. You can also enter vacation dates to delay holds while you are away.
Interlibrary Loan
If an item is not owned by LA County Library, staff may be able to request it from another library system through Interlibrary Loan. The owning library decides whether to lend it.
The published fee is $3 per item when you receive it. The lending library may charge additional fees, and you can specify a maximum amount you are willing to pay.
Requests can take several weeks. Contact a library location to discuss availability, fees, and any restrictions before submitting the request.
eBooks and Research Resources
The official eBooks and audiobooks page links to the library's digital reading services and setup instructions. Have your library card number, PIN, and a compatible internet-connected device available.
| Service | Materials and access | Published borrowing rules |
|---|---|---|
| Libby by OverDrive | eBooks and audiobooks through the Libby app or website. | Up to 15 items, with loan periods of 7, 14, or 21 days. Specialized cards may have different limits. |
| Hoopla | eBooks, comics, and audiobooks. Account setup requires library credentials and an email address. | Up to five items per month. The library's reading page lists a 21-day lending period for these materials. |
| BiblioBoard | Local content, independent eBooks, and other digital collections. | No holds, checkout limits, or lending limits. |
Libby and Hoopla loans expire automatically. Available titles, lending periods, and platform limits can change, so review the official service instructions when borrowing.
Digital reading on your own device is different from checking out a library-owned eReader containing preloaded books.
Databases and Online Learning
The Databases & Online Resources directory includes research collections, newspapers, homework help, language learning, and other educational services.
For resources requiring library authentication from home, follow the access instructions and enter your 13-digit card number without spaces when prompted. Some services require an additional account or PIN.
Resources Available Only at Particular Locations
Check location restrictions before planning research. The directory identifies these examples:
- Antelope Valley Press: Available inside Lancaster Library.
- LA County Chicano Collection: Available for in-library use at East Los Angeles Library.
- La Crescenta Ledger: Available inside La Crescenta Library.
Historical newspaper archives may not contain every issue. Confirm access, coverage, and opening hours before making a research trip.
Computers and Borrowed Devices
Public Computers and Wi-Fi
Library cards provide access to public computers and internet services. A Computer Card is available for eligible visitors who cannot obtain a regular borrowing card. Wi-Fi is available at LA County Library locations.
Children and teens must meet the library's parental-permission requirements for internet access.
In-Library Kiosk Laptops
Selected locations offer laptop checkout kiosks for customers with a library card in good standing. These laptops must remain inside the library and be returned to the kiosk before closing on the same day.
Failure to return a laptop that day results in a replacement-cost charge. Borrowers are responsible for loss or damage during checkout and should give a damaged laptop to staff immediately.
Save your work to removable storage, such as a USB drive. Files do not remain available on the laptop after the checkout session.
Check the library website or contact your selected location for participating libraries, availability, and current equipment terms.
Preloaded eReaders
Participating libraries lend Kindle Paperwhite eReaders containing staff-selected books. Reading does not require an internet connection, and borrowers cannot add their own eBooks.
The published loan period is three weeks, with up to three renewals if no one else is waiting. Borrowers must be at least 18 or have parental permission.
Visit a participating library to borrow or place a hold on an eReader. These devices are not sent to another library for pickup, and the available genres vary by location.
Children and Family Programs
LA County Library offers storytimes, learning activities, homework resources, and programs for children, teens, and caregivers.
Use the official events calendar to search by date, location, and age group. Read each listing for registration, caregiver participation, and wait-list requirements.
Family Place Libraries
Participating Family Place libraries provide early childhood learning spaces, books, toys, music, and resources for parents and caregivers.
Programs include baby and toddler storytimes and activities supporting reading readiness. The five-week Parent-Child Workshop brings in local professionals as resources for families.
Check the participating library's program listings rather than assuming that every location offers the same workshop or schedule.
Specialized Research at Norwalk
Californiana Collection
Norwalk Library houses the Californiana Collection in closed stacks. Its materials cover California history, culture, the environment, and artistic expression, with some coverage of the western United States.
Holdings include historical newspapers, nineteenth-century city directories, city and county histories, state documents, and California census schedules from 1850 through 1910.
Contact Norwalk Library at 562-868-0775 about access and the materials you need before visiting. Closed-stack materials are not available for ordinary shelf browsing.
Consumer Health Information Program
The Consumer Health Information Program, based at Norwalk Library, helps readers find reliable information about medical conditions, medications, procedures, and physicians or hospitals.
For research assistance, call 562-868-4003 or email referenceservices@library.lacounty.gov.
The program provides research information, not medical advice. Its materials do not replace an individual assessment by a healthcare professional.
Ask a Librarian
The official contact and Ask a Librarian page accepts account questions, library-service inquiries, and requests for research help.
The library describes a usual response time of one business day, excluding Sundays and holidays. Call a library location when you need immediate help or the fastest assistance with a forgotten PIN.
Chat and Text
Research and homework chat is available Monday through Friday, noon to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time. A chat box appears on the official contact page when a librarian is available.
Quick questions can be sent by text to 626-394-4019 during the same hours. This number accepts text messages, not voice calls.
For account questions, have your card number and a clear description of the issue available. Do not send your PIN. For research help, describe the subject, relevant dates or places, and the type of material you need.
Selected Libraries and Research Contacts
The locations below relate to collections or equipment discussed on this page. This is not a complete branch directory; use the official location finder for all libraries, current hours, and closure notices.
| Library or service | Address and telephone | Connection to this page |
|---|---|---|
| Norwalk Library | 12350 Imperial Highway Norwalk, CA 90650 562-868-0775 |
Californiana Collection and specialized research assistance. |
| Consumer Health Information Program | Norwalk Library 12350 Imperial Highway Norwalk, CA 90650 562-868-4003 |
Health-information research and resource assistance. |
| East Los Angeles Library | 4837 E. 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90022 323-264-0155 |
In-library access to the LA County Chicano Collection; listed kiosk-laptop location. |
| Lancaster Library | 601 W. Lancaster Boulevard Lancaster, CA 93534 661-948-5029 |
In-library access to the digitized Antelope Valley Press collection. |
| La Crescenta Library | 2809 Foothill Boulevard La Crescenta, CA 91214 818-248-5313 |
In-library access to the digitized La Crescenta Ledger. |
| Manhattan Beach Library | 1320 Highland Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310-545-8595 |
Listed kiosk-laptop location. Confirm current equipment availability. |
| Quartz Hill Library | 5040 West Avenue M-2 Quartz Hill, CA 93536 661-943-2454 |
Listed kiosk-laptop location. Confirm current equipment availability. |
| Walnut Library | 21155 La Puente Road Walnut, CA 91789 909-595-0757 |
Listed kiosk-laptop location. Confirm current equipment availability. |
| West Hollywood Library | 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90069 310-652-5340 |
Listed kiosk-laptop location. Confirm current equipment availability. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can get a free library card?
Regular cards are available to permanent and temporary California residents. The Digital Library Card has a narrower requirement: Los Angeles County residency and age 18 or older. Review the official card options for the appropriate application.
How do I recover a forgotten PIN?
Use “Forgot your PIN?” in the catalog. If no email address is on file or you need help right away, call a library location.
Can overdue materials still result in a charge?
Yes. Late fees have been eliminated, but lost and damaged materials can still be charged. Items overdue by 28 days or more are considered lost; returning the item reverses its replacement bill.
Can I return items to another library?
Most materials can be returned to any LA County Library location or bookdrop. Chromebooks, tools, and other equipment may have specific return requirements; kiosk laptops must remain inside the library and be returned the same day.
How long is a hold available for pickup?
Requested materials are held for seven days once available. Wait for the pickup notice and check the selected library's hours before traveling.
Can I use every research database from home?
No. Some resources require in-library access, and certain collections are limited to a named location. Check the database directory before planning your research.
Information on this page is drawn from the official library resources linked above. Verify current card requirements, borrowing limits, fees, equipment availability, and opening hours with LA County Library.
For card applications, account assistance, borrowing questions, or program registration, use the library's official services. Requests submitted to this website do not reach library staff.