How to get a library card / Set up an account

Frequently Asked Circulation Questions:

1. How do I get a library card?
2. How do I get a card for my company?
3. Can I get a library card if I do not live in Dallas?
4. How old does my child have to be to get a library card of his or her own?
5. How long is my library card valid?
6. How do I renew my library card?
7. Can I return my books after the Library closes?
8. Can I renew my material without coming in?
9. How many books and other materials can I check out?
10. Will I be notified regarding the books I requested?
11. Can I return books to any Dallas Public Library?
12. How long can I keep a book out?
13. How much are fines?
14. What can Personal Library Account Information offer?
15. Why can I sometimes not renew materials via the Web?
16. How do I get a PIN (Personal Identification Number)?

It's true!

A Dallas Public Library card can be used at 24 different locations in the city: 26 branch libraries located throughout the city and the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in downtown Dallas.

A library card application may be completed at any branch or the Central Library. Adults must show name and address identification and children 14 years and under will need a parent's signature to complete the application process. The card is FREE to any resident of the city of Dallas. You may borrow up to five items on your first visit, or one multi-volume set of audio or video cassettes containing more than five items. New patrons will have a three (3) day waiting period before checking out additional material.

Borrowing

You may borrow books, magazines, audiocassettes, videocassettes, records, compact discs, and many other kinds of materials. Most items can be checked out for 21 days; however, there are some exceptions:

• videocassettes 7 days
• 16mm films 1 day
• bestsellers 14 days

Returning & Renewing

Books, audiocassettes, magazines, videocassettes, compact discs, and pamphlets can be returned to any library location. All branch libraries have an after-hours book return chute. At the Central Library, materials may be returned to the book drop in the parking garage or to the first floor Circulation Desk. Fifteen minutes of free parking in the library garage is allowed for the return of materials to the Central Library.

Renewals may be placed via the Dallas Public Library Web Catalog or by using any Dallas Public Library computer. All materials renewed will be renewed for the length of the original loan period. Sorry, no renewal allowed on items borrowed that are overdue or on material loaned for fourteen days, seven days, or one day.

Overdue & Lost Materials

Fines on most items are $.30 cents per day per item with a $12.50 or cost-of-material maximum. Videocassettes and films are $1 per day if overdue. If an item is lost, the retail price is charged along with a service charge of $10.

Delinquent accounts of $35 or more may be referred to a third party collection agency; an additional $20 collection fee will be added to referred accounts.

Requesting an Item

In the Dallas Public Library catalog, requesting an item means asking the system to locate the first available copy of the item you want in order to have it sent to the library unit of your choice for checking out to your account. The process may take several days. The pickup agency will notify you when the material becomes available for you.

If you originally logged onto the catalog as "Guest," you’ll be prompted to enter your 14-digit library card number and your PIN number. (A PIN number is assigned to your library account when your account is created and, along with your library card number, validates your login session. If you don't know your PIN number, contact Central Library Circulation at (214) 670-1740 or circulation staff at any branch library for assistance. You can also change your PIN number yourself on the web catalog's About My Account page.)

The next screen verifies the item information and asks you to specify:

1. A date beyond which the request will expire, if it cannot be fulfilled for some reason; this date cannot be extended beyond the default 90 days, but it can be shortened.
2. Your pickup point (any branch library or at Central – for Central, use only CENTRAL-CCD)

You will be notified either by phone or mail when the material is available at your chosen pickup point. IMPORTANT: To check out the material, you will need to bring the same library card (same account number) which you used to request the material.

Some items cannot be requested:

• Reference materials
• Items which do not show holdings (on-order, lost, withdrawn, etc.)

There are also some cases in which your account will not be able to request materials. Check the My Account page to see if any of below apply:

• If there are outstanding fines on your account.
• If you have overdue items on your account.
• If the material is on search (Library staff is searching for material that our records indicate is overdue, but which you have notified us has been returned).
• If your card has expired. (Contact Central Library Circulation at (214) 670-1740 or circulation staff at any branch library for assistance.)
• If you are trying to request an item between 11:30 PM and 6 AM, or on Sundays before 1:00 PM, while system maintenance is being performed.
• If you already have a request on this same record. (You cannot place a second request; library staff, however, can do this for you if the need arises.)

1. How do I get a library card?

Patrons wishing to receive a library card should fill out a library card application (adult application or child application) and take the completed application to any branch or at the Central Library. Adults are required to show name and address identification, and children need a parent's signature to complete the application process. The card is FREE to any city of Dallas resident.

2. How do I get a card for my company?

Any company located in the City of Dallas may obtain a library card by submitting a request on company letterhead (including street address and phone number). State the number of cards desired and name of staff (not to exceed 10) to be using the cards. The letter must be signed by a chief executive officer agreeing to be responsible for any delinquencies that may occur.

These cards are for business-related materials, not for personal use. The company is responsible for keeping track of the personnel using these cards. If the company has 10 cards issued and one is lost, all cards will need to be replaced if the specific card number is not known. If this occurs, the company will be responsible for reporting the card lost/stolen (214) 670-1740).

Forward all inquiries to Dallas Public Library, Circulation Services, 1515 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201.

3. Can I get a library card if I do not live in Dallas?

Library cards are available to non-residents for $175 per year for unlimited borrowing. Three limited-borrowing punch cards are also available at $20 for 5 items or $50 for 15 items or $75 for 25 items. Library cards are available free to all Dallas Public School teachers and students even if they are not city residents.

4. How old does my child have to be to get a library card of his or her own?

Library cards are available for children of any age.

5. How long is my library card valid?

All Dallas Public Library cards, including non-resident, education, volunteer, and company cards, are valid for one year, after which time they must be renewed.

6. How do I renew my library card?

Library cards can be renewed in person at any library with identification showing a current city of Dallas address.

7. Can I return my books after the Library closes?

Night drops are available at all branch libraries, including the Central Library, where the drop off box is located on Ervay St. (the east side of the building).

8. Can I renew my material without coming in?

You may renew library materials from outside the library in the following ways:

Telephone renewal: call Central Library Circulation at (214) 670-1740 or any branch library during regular open hours to ask a staff member to assist you.

Through the Dallas Public Library Web Catalog. (Library card number and PIN number required; service available Monday through Saturday, 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM, and Sunday, 1:00 PM to 11:30 PM.) See also What can Personal Library Account Information offer? below.

In addition, you can renew your library materials at any Dallas Public Library location during regular open hours by using any STAR System computer and the Star Gateway program (library card number and PIN number required).

9. How many books and other materials can I check out?

On a first time application, you may borrow up to five items, or one multi-volume set of audio or video cassettes containing more than five items. After the application is processed, there is no limit on the number of "circulating" items you may borrow, with the exception of videos and DVDs. Effective June 1, 2003, there is a limit of 5 DVDs and 5 videos per library card.

10. Will I be notified regarding the books I requested?

You will be notified by phone or mail when your requested material is available.

11. Can I return books to any Dallas Public Library?

You may return borrowed materials to any Dallas Public Library location.

12. How long can I keep a book out?

• Books/CD's 21 days
• High demand/Bestsellers 14 days
• Videocassettes 7 days
• 16mm films 1 day

13. How much are fines?

Fines on most items are $.30 per day with a $12.50 or cost-of-material maximum. CDs and audiocassettes are $0.50 per day if overdue, with a $20.00 maximum.

Videocassettes, DVDs, special reference loans, and vertical file materials are $1 per day if overdue, with a $20.00 maximum.

If an item is lost, the retail price is charged along with a service charge of $10.

Accounts referred to a third-collection agency are charged a $20.00 collection agency fee.

14. What does Personal Library Account Information offer?

This page, accessible through the Dallas Public Library Web Catalog, provides the following information:

• Displays your name and address as indicated in our database.
• Indicates items currently charged (checked out) to your account. These items may be renewed on this screen. (See also Why can I sometimes not renew materials via the Web? below.) This screen will also provide you with the date the material is due back to the library.
• Provides you with the amount of fines/fees due on your account.
• Indicates any outstanding requests for library materials on your account.

To use this page, you need your Dallas Public Library card number (the 14 digit number on the back of your library card) and your PIN number. If you don't know your PIN number, contact Central Library Circulation at (214) 670-1740 or circulation staff at any branch library for assistance.

15. Why can I sometimes not renew materials via the Web?

There are several cases where you cannot renew items showing charged out to you on the Web Catalog:

• Renewals will be blocked if there are outstanding fees or fines on your card.
• Renewals will be blocked if the material is overdue. Material should be renewed by 11:30 PM on the date due.
• Renewals will be blocked if your card has expired or if your card will expire prior to the new due date.
• Material with requests/reserves by other library patrons may not be renewed. Check with your local branch library for additional copies.

Material may not be renewed on the same day it was charged (checked out). Renewal dates are from the date renewed, not the date material is due. (We recommend renewing one day prior to the due date in case there are problems.)

Renewals are not possible between 11:30 PM and 6 AM, or on Sundays before 1:00 PM, while system maintenance is being performed.

If you are having problems renewing via the Web, contact Central Library Circulation at (214) 670-1740 or circulation staff at any branch library for assistance.

16. How do I get a PIN (Personal Identification Number)?

Some functions of the Library's catalog, such as requesting or renewing materials, or checking personal account information, require you to enter your 14 digit Dallas Public Library card number along with your 4 digit PIN (Personal Information Number).

A PIN is assigned to your library account when your account is created, and functions like a password for your account.

If you don't know your PIN number, contact Central Library Circulation at (214) 670-1740, or circulation staff at any branch library for assistance. Have your Dallas Public Library card ready, as staff will need this information.

Library staff can also change your current PIN number for you. You can also change your PIN number yourself on the web catalog's About My Account page.