Library Cards / Membership FAQs

  • General Questions

    To reset your PIN:

    • Select Log in / My SJPL at the top of any page on the website, then click or tap My Settings.
      • If you need to set up your PIN for the first time: Visit our FAQ on setting your PIN.
      • If you know your PIN:       
        • Log in with your username/library card number and PIN.
        • Select the "change" link under Account Information > PIN, next to the text that says, "Change your account PIN."
        • Complete the fields on the next page and select the "Save PIN" button.
      • If you don't know your PIN:       
        • Select the "Forgot Your PIN?" link.
        • Complete the fields on the next page.
        • Select send.
        • Check your email for the reset link.
        • Follow the prompts to reset your PIN.
      • If you don't know your PIN, and you don't have an email address associated with your account:       
        • Please visit a library location and speak with a staff member for help.
        • Bring a picture ID with you.
    • You're all set!
    Choosing a Good PIN

    We highly recommend not including any of these items in your PIN: 

    • Significant dates such as your birth year or your spouse’s birthday
    • Simple number sequences like 1234 or 0000 (including repetition 1122 or 2233)
    • Any part of your social security number
    • Any part of your address or phone number

    NOTE: If you don't have your account set up in our main SJPL catalog yet, please see our FAQ on how to set up your account.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    Library cards do expire, so that we can ensure we have your most current information. The expiration date varies, depending on the type of card you have. To check if your card is expired:

    • Go to "My Settings" and log in.
    • View your expiration date toward the top of the page after the words "Card Expiry Date".
    • If you have an expired card, follow these instructions for how to renew your card.

    Note on Accessing eResources:

    • Upgrade to a Full Access Card Today: Some eResources like Hoopla, Libby and Coursera require a Full Access Library card. Visit any SJPL location, opens a new window to upgrade to a Full Access Card. Learn more at sjpl.org/membership, opens a new window.  
    • Expired Card & eResources Access: Some of our eResources, such as Hoopla, Libby, and OverDrive, won't let you log in with an expired card.
    • eResource Expired Card Message: Most of our eResources will tell you that an expired card is the problem when you are unable to log in, but others are more general. For example, Hoopla will give you this message:   
      • "Yikes! Something is wrong with your library card. Please double-check your info in settings, and if you still have issues, contact your local library..."
    • Contact Us: If you are unable to log in to one of our eResources, and you think the problem is an expired card, just send us an email using the form on our eResources help page, and we'll take a look.

    Related Pages: Members Get More: Get a Library Card, Borrow & Return, Expiration Date FAQ, Library Card Renewal FAQ

    Three SJPL card designs.

    This table outlines what is available for each main library card type, including eLibrary, Full Access, and Library-by-Mail cards.
    Library Card Type Libby, Hoopla, & Coursera Other eResources Physical Collections
    Full Access Card:       
    • Available to California residents.
    • Bring your photo ID and proof of address to any of our 25 locations.
    		 Icon: Green circle with check mark, indicating yes or available.
    Available     		Icon: Green circle with check mark, indicating yes or available.
    Available     		Icon: Green circle with check mark, indicating yes or available.
    Available
    eLibrary Card:       
    • Available to California residents.
    • Apply online for instant access.
    		 Icon: red circle with x, indicating no or not available.
    Not Available     		Icon: Green circle with check mark, indicating yes or available.
    Available     		Icon: red circle with x, indicating no or not available.
    Not Available

    We also offer the following card options that have access similar to our Full Access Card with some differences:

    • Limited Status Card: Do you live in California and want access to our physical collection and all eResources but can't show proof of address? Visit any of our locations, in person, and talk with a staff member when you arrive to pick up your card.
    • Student Card: Access to our physical collection and all of our eResources for students in participating San Jose School Districts.
    • Educator Card: Extended checkouts and renewal periods for adults (18+) who work for a preschool or K-12 school (public, charter, private) that is located in the San Jose.

    For general inquiries regarding disability access, please email accessibility@sjlibrary.org.

    We do not issue San José Public Library cards to anyone living outside California.

    Related Pages: Members Get More: Get a Library Card, Accessibility

    • To Get: Visit our Become a Member page to learn about San José Public Library cards.
    • To Replace: San José Public Library can re-issue or replace library cards at any of our library locations.

    Please call into the library to report your card lost or stolen and library staff will block your account to prevent unauthorized use.

    Related Page: Member Services

    Starting February 13, 2025, eLibrary Cards will no longer provide access to:

    To keep using these resources, you need to upgrade your library card to a full access card.

    How to Upgrade

    For San José Residents with Disabilities

    Are you unable to visit the library because of a temporary or permanent disability? Please, contact us: 

    Please note that effective February 13, 2025, full access library cards are only available to California residents who visit a local SJPL location in person or meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in our Library-by-Mail service. This is due to recent budget shortfalls, high demand and rising costs of our most popular resources. We would be happy to assist you if you are able to visit an SJPL location in the future.

    Related Pages: Members Get More: Get a Library Card, eBooks, eResources, eResources - Computers & Technology, Which library card is right for me?

    Your Educator Card is valid for the academic school year. It expires every year on June 30. You can renew your card by completing the form on our Educator Card page. Be sure to select the renewal option on the first question.

    Related Pages: Educator Library Card, Teachers & Educators

    An eLibrary Card is a free and available to California residents. This card gets you 24/7 instant access to most of our online resources. This card consists of a library card number and PIN. There is no a physical card.

    Upgrade to a Full Access Card Today: Some eResources like Hoopla, Libby and Coursera require a Full Access Library card. Visit any SJPL location, opens a new window to upgrade to a Full Access Card. Learn more at sjpl.org/membership, opens a new window.  

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    This physical library card is free and available to California residents. Benefits include the following:

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    • Be a California resident.
    • Show a valid Photo ID with your legal name. Examples:
      • California driver’s license
      • Passport
      • Permanent resident ID
      • Employee ID
    • Show proof of your current address in California. Examples:
      • California driver's license
      • Paycheck
      • Mail postmarked within 30 days.
    • Agree to our Borrower's Agreement.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    Can't show proof of your current address? You can get a Limited Status card, which is free and available to California residents. You can borrow 1 physical item at a time. You can also use most eResources.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    The term "preferred name" refers to the name that you want us to use for you. It might be different from your legal name.

    When you come in to get your Full Access (physical) library card, we will collect your legal name. Your legal name should be listed on your valid photo ID.

    If you are in middle or high school, you can use your student ID. If you are younger than middle school, you will need to bring your parent/guardian with you to make the change.

    Related Page: Borrow & Return

    • Bring your valid photo ID with you. Examples:
      • California driver’s license
      • Passport
      • Permanent resident ID
      • Employee ID
      • Student ID (for students in middle and high school)
    • Visit a library location.
    • Ask a staff member to add your preferred name.
    • They will request to see your photo ID, and then they can make the change.

    Note: If you are younger than middle school, you will need to bring your parent/guardian with you to make the change.

    Related Page: Borrow & Return

    If your library card is lost or stolen, please contact us. You can reach us through SJPL's chat service or call 408-808-2000.

    You can visit any library location with your picture ID to get a replacement card.

    You will be responsible for checked out materials if someone uses your lost or stolen card before you notify the library.

    Related Page: Member Services

    For fastest service and self-service options, please use your library card to borrow items.

    For occasions when you may not have your library card with you, you may present a valid photo ID.

    Related Page: Borrow & Return

    With your San José Public Library Limited Status Card:

    • You may only have 1 item (of any type) checked out at a time.
    • No university materials may be checked out.
    • Items cannot be borrowed through Link+ or Illiad.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    To get or set your PIN for your account for the first time:

    • Go to My Account in Classic Catalog.
    • Enter your Library Card or eCard number in the Barcode field.
    • Leave the PIN field blank.
    • Click or tap Submit.
    • A new page will display with the message "Please enter a new PIN."
    • Enter at least a four-digit PIN into the New PIN and Retype new PIN fields.
    • Click or tap Submit.
    • Your new PIN is set!
    Choosing a Good PIN

    We highly recommend not including any of these items in your PIN: 

    • Significant dates such as your birth year or your spouse’s birthday
    • Simple number sequences like 1234 or 0000 (including repetition 1122 or 2233)
    • Any part of your social security number
    • Any part of your address or phone number

    NOTES:

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    Yes, you can save your barcode to the app. The saved library card number can be entered and used for checkout on the self-check machines. This is helpful if you forgot to bring your library card. You can also check out items via mobile checkout.

    Related Page SJPL Mobile App

    Yes, you can save more than one library card to your account by linking accounts.

    Related Page: SJPL Mobile App

    • Have the card number and PIN ready.
    • Select the Menu (hamburger menu: three lines stacked on top of each other) that is to the right of the "Search Catalog" bar. You can also select My Account from the app's main screen instead.
    • The My Account menu will appear.
    • Select Linked Accounts.
    • Select +Add in the upper right corner of the screen.
    • Scan the Library Card or enter the library card number and PIN.
      • If you decide to scan the library card, you might be prompted to allow the app to use the camera. You will need to select While using the app or Only this time, in order to use the scan feature.
    • Select the Link button.

    Related Page: SJPL Mobile App

    Yes. When you download the app, you can select Become a Member to sign up for a Free SJPL Library card. It will take you to the library card sign-up page.

    If you are already signed in with an account, then you will not see Become a Member as an option. You can still go to our library card sign-up page anytime.

    Related Page: SJPL Mobile App

    Yes. If you replace a card, you need to do one of the following:

    • Sign out and sign back in with your new card number and PIN.
      OR
    • Remove the account from your linked accounts and enter in the new card number.

    Related Page: SJPL Mobile App

    You can create your PIN by logging into your Classic Catalog account:

    • Enter your new library card number, then select the "Submit" button without entering a PIN.
    • You will then receive a prompt to create your new PIN by entering it twice. Enter your PIN into each empty field.
    • Select the "Submit" button.
    • You will then be logged into your Classic Catalog account.
    • After you create your PIN in Classic Catalog, head over to the MySJPL Catalog for a better browsing and account experience.
      • Go to the "Log in / Register" page.
      • Enter your library card number and PIN.
      • You will be prompted to set up your account. Follow the prompts to set up your account in the MySJPL Catalog.

    Related Pages: Members Get More: Get a Library Card, Borrow & Return

    Please contact us first before completing the application form. You can contact us 7-days a week through SJPL's chat service or call 408-808-2000.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    We're sorry, our cards are only available to California residents.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    • If you are a California resident, start by completing a library card application.
    • You will instantly receive an eLibrary Card number. This number can be used for most of our online resources.
    • To get your Full Access Card, please visit one of our libraries with picture ID and proof of address.
      • If you don't have proof of address, we can offer you a Limited Status Card.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    • Be a California resident.
    • Show a valid Photo ID. Examples:
      • California driver’s license
      • Passport
      • Permanent resident ID
      • Employee ID
    • Show proof of your current address in California. Examples:
      • California driver's license
      • Paycheck
      • Mail postmarked within 30 days.
    • Agree to our Borrower's Agreement.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    If your library card is lost or stolen, please contact us. You can reach us 7-days a week through SJPL's chat service or call 408-808-2000, Monday – Saturday from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. We will block your account to ensure it is not used fraudulently.

    You will need to visit in person with picture ID to get a replacement card.

    You may be responsible for items on your card if we are not notified that it has been lost or stolen.

    Related Page: Member Services

    • Use the "Submit a Question" form.
    • Please tell us you want to unsubscribe and provide your username and library card number.
    • Our staff will unregister your BiblioCommons account.
    • We will notify you when the task is complete.

    Related Page: Member Services

    Library Notices may include:

    • Courtesy notice: A reminder is sent out prior to an items due date. You may phone 408-808-2665 to renew or you can renew online. For additional assistance please call 408-808-2000.
    • Overdue notice: Your items are overdue.
    • Hold notice: Your item is ready for pickup.
    • Recall notice: The due date has been shortened and item must be returned for another patron. Recalled items and entertainment DVDs may not be renewed.
    • Billing notice: Library fines have been applied to your library account.
    • Interlibrary loans: Interlibrary loan material renewals are sometimes available. You can handle these renewals online through your ILLiad account.

    If you have not been receiving your notices, please log onto your library account to verify that your email address and phone number are correct. If the information on your account is not correct, if you accrued fines due to the failure of a notice, or if you have any other questions, staff are available to speak with you during regular business hours by calling 408-808-2000 or visiting any San José Public Library location.

    Related Page: Borrow & Return

    The app will not tell you if your card is expired.

    If you attempt the following, you might get an error message that says there is an issue with your account:

    • Mobile Checkout
    • Placing Holds

    Here are some things you can do to fix the issue:

    Related Page: SJPL Mobile App

    The Full Access Library Card is a physical card available for free to all California residents. True to its name, it provides full access to everything the library has to offer, including:

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card, How do I apply for a library card?

  • SJPL School Card

    This depends on the type of San José Public Library card you have, but all of our library cards require you to be a California resident. Here are the ways to renew:

    • eLibrary Card:     
      • Upgrade to Full Access Card: We encourage you to upgrade to a Full Access Card by bringing a valid photo ID and proof of your California address to any of our library locations.
      • Upgrade to Limited Status Card: If you can't bring proof of address, we can still upgrade you to a Limited Status Card by bringing a valid photo ID to any of our library locations.
    • Full Access Card:    
      • Bring a valid photo ID with your current California address to any of our library locations.
      • If your ID doesn't have your current address, it's okay to bring a piece of mail that shows the address too.
    • Limited Status Card: Please visit any library location with a valid photo ID, and we can work with you.
    • Educator Card: These cards expire every school year on June 30. To renew your card, complete the Educator Card Form and select the "Renewal" option.
    • Student Card: These cards do not expire until you graduate or leave the participating district. If you would like to continue your access to physical items and eResources, we encourage you to bring a photo ID and proof of California address to any of our library locations, so we can get you a Full Access library card.

    If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact us.

    Related Pages: Members Get More: Get a Library Card, Borrow & Return, Educator Card, Student Card, Expiration Date FAQ, Is Card Expired? FAQ

    San José Student Library Cards will expire when the student graduates or leaves the district.

    Related Page: Members Get More: Get a Library Card

    Using data provided by the Local Education Agency (school or district), the City of San Jose/San José Public Library will create a student account automatically. Local Education Agencies have class rosters that include the library card numbers and PIN.

    Related Page: San José Student Library Card

    If you received a San Jose Student Library Card from your school, your library card number is located on the back of the card.

    If your school instructed you to use your student ID number to access your San José Student Library Card membership, please visit list of participating schools to get the correct preliminary numbers to use along with your student ID number to access your account.

    Related Page: School District Partnerships - San José Student Library Card

    Yes, your child can have both cards. The San Jose Student Library card is only valid as long as your child is attending that district.

    Related Page: San José Student Library Card

    5 items can be requested at one time. Link+ materials can not be requested.

    Related Page: San José Student Library Card

    San Jose Student Library Cards are issued to students in participating San Jose school districts. The Student Card is different from a regular card in these ways:

    • The San Jose Student Library Card has a 5 physical item limit. The regular card has a 100 item limit.
    • Both cards provide free access to library eResources, and there are no late fees.

    Related Page: San José Student Library Card