How to Get a Library Card

California residents over the age of 18 may apply for a Santa Monica Public Library card at the Main Library, Montana Branch, or Pico Branch during open hours. Qualified Los Angeles County residents over the age of 18 may apply for a library card online. For children under age 12, both the child and the parent/guardian must be present at the time of application, and the parent/guardian must present the required documents (see below).

Library Self-Service is available at the Fairview Branch and Ocean Park Branch during operational hours. Learn how to register for Library Self-Service.

Return to the Library homepage

Visit the Library
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Visit the Main Library, Montana Branch, or Pico Branch during open hours. Bring valid photo ID and proof of residence.
Complete the Application
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Complete the application form when you arrive at a Santa Monica Public Library location.
Present Application, Photo ID and Proof of Residence
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Show the required documents. Expired documents are not accepted. Photocopies or photographs of IDs are not accepted. Electronic versions of address verification documents are acceptable.
One primary valid document from the list:
- California ID with current address
- Consular card with current address
- Middle school or high school photo ID
Or two alternative valid documents, one from each of the following lists:
Alternative photo ID:
- California ID without current address
- Out-of-state Photo ID
- Government-issued Passport
- Government-issued Permanent US Resident Card (Green Card)
- Consular card without current address
- Military Photo ID
- College or university Photo ID
Alternative address verification:
- Current auto registration
- Proof of current auto insurance
- Utility bill issued within the past 90 days
- Bank statement issued within the past 90 days
- Credit card bill issued within the past 90 days
- Rent receipt issued within the past 90 days
- A current lease issued within the last year
- Valid Voter registration card or pre-printed voter balloting materials
Use Your New Library Card
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Use your new library card to borrow items, reserve study rooms, access our Internet computers, and more!

Residents over the age 18 residing within Los Angeles County may apply for a Santa Monica Public Library card online. For those residing outside of Los Angeles County, or who need to register a family member under the age of 18, please apply for a library card in-person.

Complete the Online Application
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Complete the online application form, ensuring all provided information is accurate.
Please note that approval using this form is not guaranteed. We may ask you to visit the Library to provide additional documentation.
Check Your Email
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Check the email address you provided in your online application. If approved, you will receive an email with your digital library card number and PIN.
Use Your New Library Card
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Your digital library card can be accessed with the SMPL Mobile App (App Store / Google Play). Use your new library card to borrow items, reserve study rooms, access our online resources, and more!

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FAQ

Who may use my library card?

Any person who has your card may use it to check out items. Keep your card safe and be aware that you are responsible for everything checked out on your account. Notify the Library by calling (310) 458-8600 as soon as you notice your card has been lost or stolen.

How do I renew my library card?

Library cards are valid for a 2-year term. Cards for adult residents of Los Angeles County will be automatically renewed 31 days prior to expiration. If there are any issues, an email will be sent and the card will need to be renewed in-person. All other cards must be renewed in-person. To renew a card, present valid photo ID plus address verification at the Main Library, Montana Branch, or Pico Branch. As a courtesy, an automated notice is sent four weeks prior to account expiration.

I forgot my library card. Can I still check out materials?

Checking out materials at the Library requires a valid library barcode, in either digital or physical format. If you don't have your library card, we accept valid photo ID as verification.

A library card number may be used in conjunction with the account PIN at the self-checkout stations only.

I lost my library card. How do I get a replacement?

The Library can issue a replacement card to members with a valid photo ID. Issuing a replacement card changes the library card number associated with an account.

Be aware that you are responsible for everything checked out on your account. Notify the Library by calling (310) 458-8600 as soon as you notice your card has been lost or stolen.

How can I pay fees associated with my library card?

The Library offers a variety of convenient options for paying fees on your account. Visit How to Pay Library Fees for more information.

Please note that Library privileges are blocked if your account balance reaches $20 or more.

How do I change my PIN or other library account information?

For PIN number changes, address changes, or account information, present valid photo identification to Library staff at the Main Library, Montana Branch, or Pico Branch. For privacy and security reasons, library card and PIN numbers are not provided over the phone.

How do I place a hold request on an item?

Hold requests place you on a waiting list for a title. This is especially helpful for items that are checked out, on-order, or being processed. You will have 10 days to retrieve the item once you are notified that it is ready for pick-up. There is no charge for hold requests, and you may have up to 25 hold requests at a time. Here's how:

In-Person

Staff at the Information Desk can assist you with placing hold requests. Please have your library card number available.

By Telephone

Call (310) 458-8600 during operating hours to have staff place hold requests. Please have your library card number available.

SMPL Mobile App

Use the app (App Store / Google Play) to browse materials and place hold requests. Log in using your library card number and PIN.

Online Catalog

Browse materials and place hold requests using your online library account. Log in using your library card number and PIN.

You will be notified that your hold is ready for pick-up by your preferred notification method (email, text, or phone). You can also use the My Borrowing function in the online catalog to see if your hold is available for pick-up.

How do I renew my materials?

Most items checked out to your library account will renew automatically three days prior to the due date. Eligible items will renew up to three times. Loan periods will extend from their original due dates. Renewal periods will be the same length as the original loan period. Manual renewal is still available for eligible items in-person, through your online account, or by calling (310) 458-8600 during library operating hours.

Materials will not be renewed if:

There is a hold on the item
The item has already been renewed the maximum number of times
Your account is blocked due to fees
They are non-renewable, such as Book Group In a Box kits
They are interlibrary loan (ILL) items
They are digital items (e-books, e-audiobooks, streaming movies, and music)
The item was already overdue prior to July 1, 2019

Where do I return my checked out materials?

Santa Monica Public Library materials may be returned at any location during open hours or to the exterior return bins. Exterior return bins are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Main Library - Exterior return slots are located at the side of the building on 6th Street. There is also a bin on the P1 level of the underground parking structure (enter on 7th Street, no charge if you exit the structure within thirty minutes).
Fairview Branch - Two exterior bins are located at the front of the building along Ocean Park Blvd.
Montana Branch - Return bins are located on Montana Ave. on the sidewalk near the entrance. Another exterior return bin is located at the entrance to the surface parking lot off of 17th Street.
Ocean Park Branch - Exterior bin located near the public building entrance along Norman Place.
Pico Branch - Two exterior bins are connected to the building, located to the right of the main entrance.

Privacy of Patron Records

In keeping with the American Library Association's Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records and Policy Concerning Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information About Library Users and State of California Government Code Section 6267, Santa Monica Public Library staff will not respond to any informal request by a third party for personally identifiable information about any library user.

Personally identifiable information may be released only to a law enforcement agency after presentation of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction issued in proper form (a court issued subpoena or search warrant) and/or under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. Under some circumstances librarians may be forbidden to disclose that certain records have been requested or obtained.

Except in cases of lost/stolen items or substantial unpaid fees, where we may use a collection agency, credit bureau, or law enforcement, client records will never be shared with private companies.

Library staff will collect only the information needed to contact library users, such as mailing address, email address, phone number, etc., in order to ensure the proper notification, lending, and return of library materials and the collection of fees. Records will be retained for the shortest length of time necessary to facilitate library operations.

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Continue the Process:

Visit the Library

Complete the Application

Present Application, Photo ID and Proof of Residence

Use Your New Library Card

Complete the Online Application

Check Your Email

Use Your New Library Card

Contact Us: