Get a Library Card
Types of Library Cards
The Library offers six different types of libarary cards:
1. Full Access to all library resources, including the Internet, adults and children under 19, with parental consent. 2.Two term limit card for people lacking the ID requirements for full access, but who still want to sign library items. 3.Computer access only for those who do not have a library card, for adults and children under 18, with parental consent. 4. Access to the Children's Collection only with parental consent. 5. Check out privileges in both Adult and Children's Collection, and no Internet access. 6. Access to the Children's Collection only. Information for Parents
It is the parents responsibility to regulate their child's and only their child's use of the library. The reading and viewing activities of youth under 18 are the responsibility of parents or guardians whose role is to guide and oversee the development of their own child. The library does not assume that relationship.
Librarians do not act “in loco parentis.” Just as parents guide their children in what they view on television, which movie they will see, and which video games to play, parents also teach their children what they feel is acceptable to view on the Web. Parents must meet with a librarian to discuss the options of: Restricting their child to checking out only materials from the children's collection. Restricting their child to using the one PC in each children's area (or neighborhood library) that offers the Internet with restrictions. I.D. Requirements Any California resident may get a library card! You must, however, have picture identification with your name and current home address. Identification can be a California ID or California driver's license. If your ID doesn't show your home address, the following can be used to verify your address: - A printed personal check.
- A property tax receipt.
- A recent utility or phone bill.
- Any first-class mail with a current postmark.
If you are under the age of eighteen, show your California ID, or school ID along with your parent or guardian's signature and ID number on the library card application. A library card is issued to a patron after s/he has shown identification and has agreed to be responsible for all items checked out on the card. To protect each patron's borrowing privileges, the library has established a policy that library cards are not transferable, even within the family. We hope by this policy to reduce the number of incidents in which a patron loses borrowing privileges because a friend or family member uses his/her card. There are many opportunities for borrowing privileges to be abused if the card is transferable. Library staff may ask for identification at checkout if necessary. If a staff member becomes aware that a patron is attempting to use a card that does not belong to him/her, the staff member will NOT check out books on that card for the patron. The sole exception to this policy allows parents to use their child's card to check out children's materials when the child is not present since the parents are ultimately responsible for the items checked out on their child's card. This exception will be allowed only when the parent is the responsible party and only when the materials borrowed are children's materials. Computer-Use-Only Cards This card is available for adults, young adults, and children. It will NOT allow the library card holder to check out library materials. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their child's computer use and must sign the youth application for computer-use-only card application for all applicants under 18 years of age. Verification of address and a California driver license or ID number and/or a Social Security number are not required for a computer-use-only card. Temporary Library Cards Adults who have forgotten their library card may be issued a temporary card if they can identify themselves with picture identification. The Long Beach Public Library will not issue temporary cards to a minor. A minor patron must have his library card present to checkout books or access the Internet. If a minor forgets his card and is accompanied by his parent, his parent can approve a temporary card for the minor. First time borrowers may check out two items on their new library card. This new card will be mailed to them at the home address on their application. |
