Frequently Asked Questions

Below you'll find answers for an array of questions you might have. If your question remains unanswered by the selection below, contact us here.

• How do I get a library card?

  The Palm Beach County Library District is a special taxing district that provides library services to unincorporated areas of the County and the following municipalities: Atlantis, Belle Glade, Briny Breezes, Cloud Lake, Glen Ridge, Greenacres, Haverhill, Hypoluxo, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Lake Clarke Shores, Loxahatchee Groves, Mangonia Park, Ocean Ridge, Pahokee, Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, Royal Palm Beach, South Bay, South Palm Beach, Tequesta (Palm Beach County residents), Wellington, and Westlake.
  
  Residents of cities in the Library Cooperative also receive free cards. The Library Cooperative of the Palm Beaches includes: The Palm Beach County Library System, Boynton Beach City Library, Delray Beach Public Library, Lake Park Public Library, Lake Worth Public Library, Lantana Public Library, North Palm Beach Library, Palm Springs Public Library, Riviera Beach Public Library, and West Palm Beach Public Library.
  
  In short, if you live in unincorporated Palm Beach County or one of the cities listed above, you are eligible for a free card.
  
  You can get a library card at any of our locations with photo identification and proof of current address. For address verification, bring one of the following:
  
     >Florida driver's license.
     >Florida voter’s registration card.
     >Rental receipt, lease, or deed.
     >Postmarked mail (must be accompanied by ID verifying name).
     >Vehicle registration.
     >Checks imprinted with name and address.
     >Vehicle insurance card.
     >Condo ID with address.
     >Palm Beach County tax bill with library tax included.
  Children under 18 can get a card with a parent or guardian's identification and signature. All children, from birth through age 17, living in Palm Beach County can get free child library cards. The parent or guardian may choose to allow the child to borrow all DVDs and streaming videos or restrict access to only DVDs and streaming videos from the Children's Collection.
  
  Use your card at any branch in the Palm Beach County Library System. Most cards are good for three years. When your card expires, please visit any Palm Beach County Library location with photo ID and proof of current residential address to renew your card. There is a $1 charge to replace lost, damaged, or stolen cards.
  
  Other people can use your library card. But you are responsible for any items borrowed on that card. If you lose your card, report it immediately.
  
  If you do not live in unincorporated Palm Beach County, of one of the cities listed above, you can buy a one-year card for $95 or $55 for six-months.
  
  Online Library Card Application This application will allow you to preregister for a Palm Beach County Library Card. Visit any Palm Beach County Library location to pick up and sign your new library card. You will need to present a valid photo ID and proof of current residential address. Children and teens under 18 must have a parent or guardian present to obtain a library card.
  
  Printable Applications Print and complete an application; bring it to any branch of the Palm Beach County Library System with proof of current address and receive a library card with full borrowing privileges.
  
     >Adult Application
     >Children's Application
     >Adult Application in Spanish
     >Children's Application in Spanish
  

• Can I use the databases without a library card?

  Yes. You can get instant access to electronic resources by filling out this form. (NOTE: You cannot borrow items at a branch or download electronic resources such as music from Freegal or ebooks from Overdrive with this code.) For information about library cards, click here.

• How long do I get to keep library materials?

  Borrow any item on our shelves for 3 weeks. If there are no holds, you can renew materials up to 3 times.
  
  Return your materials to any branch in the Library System.

• How do I place an item on hold?

     1. SEARCH THE LIBRARY CATALOG.
     2. Type in your library card number (no spaces, ex. d012345678) and your PIN.
     3. Click Login to My Account.
     4. Click Search the Library Catalog and search catalog using the search box. After you find an item you want ...
     5. Click PLACE HOLD.
     6. Select PICK UP BRANCH.
     7. Click PLACE HOLD and OK to complete process.

• What if you don’t have a book?

  If you need a book or article that the Palm Beach County Library System does not own, you can borrow from another library.
  
  If you would like to suggest a book to add to our collection, you can do that here.

• How do I borrow an item from another library?

  If a book is not in our collection, we’ll be happy to try to borrow it from another library. Submit a request to borrow from another library.

• How do I renew materials?

  You can renew an item up to three (3) times, if no one is waiting to borrow it. DVDs may be renewed once (if there is no waiting list). You can renew materials online (MY ACCOUNT) or at any branch of the Library System. For online renewal, follow these easy steps:
  
     >Click MY ACCOUNT.
     >Type in your library card number (the letter D followed by all numbers and no spaces; ex. d012345678) and your PIN (if not previously logged in).
     >Click CHECKOUTS.
     >Click the box to the left of the item(s) to renew, or click the SELECT ALL box.
     >Click RENEW at top or bottom.
     >Click YES to confirm you want to renew the selected item(s) or NO to cancel.
     >The TIMES RENEWED counter will increment and a new DATE DUE will display if the item renewed. If the renewal failed, a message will appear below each item indicating why it could not be renewed. Contact the library if you have questions.

• What is a PIN?

  Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) allows you to access your account online so that you can check your due dates, renew items and place holds. You receive a PIN when you get your card. You can also change it to something of your choice. To retrieve or change your PIN and switch to paperless notification visit our Go Green page. If you have no email address on your account, or your email address has changed, call one of our branches.

• How many items can I borrow?

  You can borrow up to 50 items.

• Are there fees for late, damaged, or lost materials?

  Beginning Oct 01, the Palm Beach County Library System will no longer charge late fines on materials that are overdue. Our mission is to provide open access to information and materials. For more information visit our Fine Free page.