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Find information about how long you can checkout library materials, how to renew items, how to use our library catalog, and more!
Most items, including books, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines, check out for 3 weeks.
Digital materials have different check-out periods depending on the resource.
These materials are automatically returned at the end of the checkout period. The amount of materials you can check out at a time and the amount of items you can have on hold depends on the type of library card you have.
Most materials can be renewed up to three times. If no one else has reserved the item, the item will automatically renew 2 days before the due date. Sign up for email notifications to be alerted when your items are automatically renewed. Items are only eligible for renewal if no one else has placed a hold.
Sometimes items cannot be renewed. Here are some common reasons why:
Renewals are for an additional 21 day period from the date of the renewal.
You are able to place holds on most of the items in the catalog, with the exception of items that are for in-Library use only. Placing a hold on an item will hold an item for you when it is returned or will transfer an item from one library to another for you to pick up.
You may place holds for items listed in the catalog in person at any Library location, by calling the Library, or through the Library Catalog, using your Library barcode number and your PIN. You may have a maximum of 30 active, pending, or shipped hold requests on your card at a time.
You will be notified by email or text, whichever method you selected when registering for a library card, when an item is held for you. You have 7 days to pick up the item.
Need help placing a hold request or have questions about the status of your item? Contact us.
The Santa Barbara Public Library encourages library patrons to return items on time so that others may use them. We do not charge late fees, but we still charge for lost or damaged materials.
As a courtesy, the Library will email a reminder 2 days before the date due.
What happens when your items are:
40 East Anapamu Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-962-7653
