Circulation Desk | Library Card | Circulation Policies | Self-Check-Out
Book Renewal | Hold Request | Fee Schedule | Payment | Contact Us

Circulation Desk
At the circulation desks in the Central Library or in any Pasadena branch, patrons may take care of the following services:

Check in and check out items.
Pick up items placed on hold.
Pick up and pay for books or articles requested through interlibrary loan (ILL).
Pay overdue fines and/or lost materials.
Register for library cards - Patrons will need some form of identification to verify their
    name and address. It may be a driver's license, a check book imprint, or a bill.
Update library patron records (new address, telephone numbers, etc.)
Turn in  or retrieve “Lost & Found” items
Obtain a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for use in placing hold requests and
    with the “My Account” feature of the library catalog.

Library Card
Library cards are available at all Pasadena locations free of charge to any resident of the State of California.  Temporary library card numbers, which can be used for certain online services and which can be converted to permanent library cards within 60 days, are available online.

To receive a permanent card, you must have a photo ID showing your name and verifiable current home address, such as a driver’s license or an ID card issued by the DMV. If you don’t have a driver’s license or an ID card from the DMV, you may present a different photo ID plus one of the following which must have your current home address: Printed personal check, credit card, rental or property tax receipt, or business mail with current postmark. A business address or Post Office box may not be used in place of a home address but may be used in addition to home address.

Young people ages 12 and under are required to obtain the signature of a parent or guardian. Pasadena library cards are valid at all Pasadena and Glendale Public Libraries.

Library cards need to be renewed every two years. If your library card needs renewal, you can bring it to any library branch and ask for staff assistance.

Persons unable to obtain a regular library card due to problems of non-residency or lack of address verification may be able to obtain a Guest card, usable only in Pasadena Public Library. This Guest card permits access to our computer system, and permits the user to check out a single item. If the cardholder later meets qualifications the card can be upgraded to a regular card which allows the cardholder full rights such as borrowing multiple items and placing hold requests.

A copy of the library card registration form (PDF) can be obtained over the library web site.

Circulation Policies
Library card holders are responsible for all materials checked out on their card. If card is lost or stolen, report it to the library immediately. The library has established the following policies for the use of library materials:

Limit on number of items checked out:

Overdue notices are sent 14 days after item is due.  Replacement charges including a processing fee are imposed 28 days after the item is due.  An account becomes delinquent after 42 days and collection agency fees will be added to the replacement charges and processing fees. Library materials may not be checked out to patrons who have fines over $20.00. 

Automated Self-Check-Out Machines
Self Check-Out Machines are available for patrons who are in a hurry or who wish to check out and/or renew their own books. At the end of the transaction patrons will receive an itemized list of the titles and due dates. Currently there are two machines located at the Central Library. AUDIO RECORDINGS, VIDEOS and special loan items may not be checked out on the Self Check-out Machine, so patrons will check these items out at the circulation desk.

Automated Book Renewal
Patrons may renew in person or by telephone using a touch-tone phone or via the Library Catalog on the Internet (2 renewals per item if there are no holds pending).

Automated Book Renewal via Telephone
Patrons with a touch-tone phone can dial into the library to renew their books. The barcode numbers of the library card are required. Call (626) 356-3914.

Automated Book Renewal via Internet Using Horizon (the library’s catalog)
Pasadena and Glendale library patrons with World Wide Web access can renew their books via the web. To renew or to view your records, you need your library card number and your Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Hold Requests
Hold requests may be made at no charge from any Pasadena Public Library or Glendale Public Library location to have most circulating materials brought to the nearest Pasadena Public Library or Glendale Public Library branch (with the exceptions noted below).  In addition to placing holds by coming in or telephoning any branch, patrons may place their own hold requests using the library catalog  in the library or via Internet. A valid library card is required as well as a PIN.

Exceptions:

No hold requests may be placed on reference material including items marked  
    “Special Collections” , “Centennial Room” or “Librarians’ Resource (LRC)”.
Do not place hold requests on items that have no copies listed or items where all
    copies are listed as “missing” or “lost”.
No hold requests may be placed on items listed as "Rental" or "Bookmobile" from
    the Glendale Public Library System.
ALL Audio-visual materials from the Brand Library of Glendale Public Library may
    only be picked up and returned at the BRAND  Branch.
Records (LPs) from the Montrose Branch of Glendale Public Library may only be
    picked up and returned at the MONTROSE Branch.
Films (16mm) from the Glendale Central Library may only be picked up and returned
    at the GLENDALE CENTRAL Branch.
Patrons with guest cards may not place holds.

Fee Schedule

1. Overdue Fines

A. Daily
        a. $.25 (twenty-five cents) per adult item
        b. $.15 (fifteen cents) per juvenile item
        c. $.25 (twenty-five cents) per day, per title (videos)

B. Maximum
        a. $5.00 per adult item
        b. $2.50 per juvenile item

C. Special Loan Material
        a. Daily $2.50 per item
        b. Maximum $50.00 per item

2. Lost and Damaged Material

A. Replacement fee generally is the cost of the item plus $7.25 processing fee

B. A default value is assigned to each item that is billed for replacement that does not
    have a special price.
        a. Reference material $50.00
        b. Paperbacks $5.00
        c. DVD/VHS $50.00
        d. Magazines $3.00
        e. Music cassettes, cds and toys $20.00
        f.  Books $15.00

C. Processing fee per item. Non-refundable $7.25

D. Replacement Fee
        a. Audio cassette case $2.50
        b. Toy bags $2.50
        c. Book covers $2.50
        d. Barcodes $2.55
        e. Audio unabridged cassette $5.95 per cassette (when available individually) +
            $7.25 processing fee
        f.  Audio unabridged CD $6.95 per disc (when available individually) + $7.25
           processing fee

E. Collection Agency fee $25.00 per occurrence

3. Videos and DVDs

A maximum of six videos (DVD and VHS combined) can be out on one library card at any time. A video (DVD or VHS) can be checked out for seven (7) days with up to two (7) day renewal periods if there are no holds pending.

Replacement fees for lost parts of video sets will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

4. Library Card Replacement

A $2.50 replacement fee will be charged for a lost or missing library card.

5. Interlibrary Loan and Holds

A. A minimum fee of $2.00 will be charged per interlibrary loan request.
B. There is no charge for placing holds on Pasadena and/or Glendale items.

Payment of Fees

Fines paid in cash can be paid in person at any Pasadena Public Library branch.  Fines paid by check or money order can be paid in person or mailed to the attention of the Circulation section of any branch. Checks should be made payable to “City of Pasadena Library” and the library card number should be written on the check or money order.  When paying by mail please include name of cardholder and a valid phone number with the check. Currently the library is unable to accept credit or debit card payments.

Contacting Us

                                                                                     Last update: December 11, 2007