Library Services

Borrowing and Renewing Library Items

Check Out Period

With your library card you may borrow most library materials for three weeks.

Where to Return Items

All items may be returned to any branch in the Library System.

Renewing Items

SCPL has an automated auto-renewal process. Eligible items will renew automatically 3 days before their due date. If you have selected email as your notice preference, the Library will notify you of the new due date via email.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries will attempt to renew your borrowed item three days before the due date. If successful, your loan period will be extended for 21 days from the existing due date, an additional full loan period. If unsuccessful, you will continue to receive notices about overdue items. You may wish to try to renew manually before you return the item.

There are a few ways to find out an item's due date:

• On the courtesy notice emailed to you 3 days before the due date. Opt in to receive email notices if you haven't already.
• Via your online account
• By chat or phone

An item won't auto-renew if:

• Another library user has requested it
• The item has reached its maximum number of renewals (up to 4 items for most items)
• Your account is expired
• The item is a digital item, such as an ebook from Overdrive
• The item is an InterLibrary Loan item

Yes, items eligible for renewal may be renewed early by logging in to your online account.

Auto-renew is an automatic process that applies to all SCPL cardholder accounts. If you don't wish to keep an item, please return it when you're finished.

Available at these branch libraries:

• Available at all branches

Last updated on Jan. 11, 2023