Loan Periods and Fines

If you can’t find what you want in our catalog, we can borrow materials from other libraries.

• We provide this Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL) for those who have a valid Pasadena library card.
• There is a $2.00 nonrefundable service fee, automatically charged to your library account whether we are able to obtain the item or not. You will be notified ahead of time if the lending library wants to apply additional charges.
• The loan period is normally three weeks. Contact the Interlibrary Loan staff three working days before the due date if you would like us to request permission to renew the item.
• Some materials, such as microfilm, are for library use only.
• Rare books, reference books and books published within the last year are difficult to obtain. For newer items, you may wish to make a suggestion for purchase.
• You will be liable for any lost or damaged materials.
• It may take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to receive an item, with 3 weeks being the average.
• We will notify you if we can’t locate a library that will loan the requested item.

You can place your request in person at any Pasadena Public Library location, over the telephone, or online.

• By phone, call an available branch location and have your library card, the title and author’s name on hand.
• To place your request online:
  • Go to the online library catalog.
  • Check the catalog to make sure we do not own the book or magazine. We do not request materials that we already own in the Pasadena Public Library system.
  • If we don’t own the item you want, click on the  “California Libraries Catalog” link above the search bar in our catalog.
  • Enter the title and author’s name and click on “Search.”
  • Look through the results list for the one that best matches your needs. Click on the title.
  • The resulting page gives detailed information about the book or magazine. Click on the phrase “Borrow this item from another library” or on the ILL icon that looks like two libraries with arrows between them.
  • Fill out the resulting form. If you want a copy of your request, print prior to submitting it.
  • If you are requesting a copy of a magazine article, note the article title, author, volume, date and pages in the Comments field.
  • Click “Submit.” You will get a message stating your submission was successful. If the request was not successful, the notice will state what information is missing from your request.
  • At any point in the process, feel free to call for assistance.
  • Contact the Interlibrary Loan desk by email ill_staff@cityofpasadena.net or call 626-744-4037. If staff cannot be reached immediately, messages will be returned as soon as possible.

Patrons may renew in person, by telephone using a touch-tone phone, or online (3 renewals per item if there are no holds pending).

Automated 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 Renewal via Internet Using Enterprise (the library’s catalog)

Pasadena and library patrons with Internet 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). Log-in to your account and click on "My Account" in the upper right of the screen to view your account information. In the “Checkouts” tab you can check the items that you would like to renew and click “Renew”.

Hold requests may be made at no charge from any Pasadena Public Library location to have most circulating materials brought to the nearest Pasadena 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 online. A valid library card is required as well as a PIN. Items will be held for pick-up for seven days after arrival at the pick-up location. Patrons may have up to 50 open requests at any one time.
Exceptions:

• No hold requests may be placed on reference material including items marked “Special Collections”, “Centennial Room” or “Librarians’ Resource (LRC)”.
• No hold requests may be placed on circulating magazines, and magazines can only be checked out from and returned to the Pasadena Library location where they are shelved.
• Do not place hold requests on items that have no copies listed or items where all copies are listed as “missing” or “lost”.
• Patrons with guest cards may not place holds.

Self-Service Holds Pickup (at Hastings Branch)

Pick up your own holds. We notify you by email, telephone message delivery, or via postal mail when your hold is ready for pick up. Holds are organized on the shelves by the first three letters of the last name on the account followed by the last three digits of the account library card number.

Failure to return or renew an overdue item will result in the item being deemed “lost”. Patrons are financially responsible for items deemed lost on their record and will be charged the replacement cost of the item.

• Unpaid lost item charges may result in collections activity.
• When lost items are returned, the replacement fee will be removed.
• Patrons are encouraged to return or renew Library materials by the due date to avoid charges. If we have your current e-mail address, you will be notified 3 days prior to due date. As a courtesy, the Library sends overdue notices before an item is deemed “lost”. It is the borrower’s responsibility to adhere to due dates regardless of whether the notices are received.

Billing for lost items takes place in the following order:

• For 21 day loans: 28 days after due date.

Payments for lost items

• Partial payments for lost items are not accepted; the full replacement cost of an item must be paid in one payment.
• If patrons have a collections fee in addition to the lost item fees, the lost item fees must be paid first and the collections fee last.
• Fees may be paid by cash, check or credit card. Replacement items will not be accepted in lieu of cash, check or credit card payment.

Refunds

• A refund is provided for items that are found and returned within three months of payment.
• Refund policy does not apply for partial replacements on A.V. sets. E.g. missing audio book discs and DVDs.

Pasadena Public Library does not assess daily overdue fines on materials. Replacement fees will be assessed on lost materials, and may be assessed on materials needing replacement due to damage. Material is assumed lost if not returned within 28 days of the due date.

Lost and Damaged Material

Replacement fee generally is the cost of the item.
A default value is assigned to each item that is billed for replacement that does not have a special price.

• Reference material $50.00
• DVD $50.00
• Magazines $3.00
• Music CDs and toys $20.00
• Books $15.00
• Replacement Fee
  • Playaway View case $5.99
  • Playaway View battery charger $14.99
  • DVD or CD case $2.70
  • Toy bags $2.70
  • Book covers $2.70
  • Barcodes $2.70
  • Audio unabridged CD $6.95 per disc (when available individually)
  • Replacement fees for lost parts of video/DVD sets will be determined on a case-by-case basis
• Collection Agency fee $15.00 per occurrence

Interlibrary Loan and Holds

• A minimum fee of $2.00 will be charged per interlibrary loan request.
• There is no charge for placing holds on items.

Payment Of Fees

Fees paid in cash or by credit/debit card can be paid in person at any Pasadena Public Library branch. Fees 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” 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.