HOW DO I:

How do I apply for a Library Card?

Applicant must be a California resident. You can visit your local OCPL branch or apply online. At the branch present a photo ID to show your identity and give proof of your current address. A California Driver's License, DMV ID card, Mexican Consular Identification card, Passport or Military ID are all acceptable forms of ID. Please provide proof of your current address such as a recent utility bill, lease, car registration or checks with your address and your name on it. If you are under eighteen, you must have your parent/legal guardian sign your library application and include their driver's license number. If you are not a California resident, or are unable to provide proof of your current address, you can apply for an Internet Only card. Internet Only library cards allow you to use the Internet and our databases, but do not allow you to borrow material.

How do I apply for a Library Card online?

Use the Online Library Card Application link http://web.ocpl.org/elibcard/ and complete the application. Select a library you would like to pick-up your library card. Your Library Card will be ready in 48 hours. Be prepared to provide proper photo ID and proof of your current address (listed above).

How do I replace my Library Card?

Visit your local OCPL branch and present a photo ID to show your identity. A Driver's License, DMV ID card, Mexican Consular Identification card, Military ID or Passport are all acceptable forms of ID. There is a $2.00 fee to replace your Library Card.

How do I know how long I can check out my items?

Most items check out for 3 weeks; however some only check out for one week. Your check-out slip lists the items you have and when they are due. Please see Borrowing Policies for further details.

How do I know how much my overdue fine is?

Your fine increases by 25 cents each day the item is overdue, even when the library is closed. To return items as soon as possible, put them in the book drop at your local branch. You can also renew your items through the catalog on this website. Click on "My iBistro", and then click on "My Account" and then click on "Renew My Materials". If you lose an item, you will be charged for the price of the item plus a non-refundable $5.00 processing fee, plus any fines on the item. Please see Borrowing Policies for further details.

How do I know how many items I can check out?

A patron with a new library card can check out three items. On your next visit to the library you can check out a total of fifty items.

How do I find my nearest library?

Click on the Branches link and find the closest branch on the map. We have more than 30 branches to choose from.

How do I know when the library is open?

OCPL has branch libraries throughout Orange County. Each library has different hours. Please see Branches for individual branch hours.

How do I find a branch that is open on Sundays?

16 OCPL branches are open on Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. They are:

• Aliso Viejo
• Costa Mesa/Donald Dungan
• Costa Mesa/Mesa Verde
• Cypress
• Dana Point
• Garden Grove Regional
• Irvine Heritage Park
• Irvine University Park
• Irvine Katie Wheeler
• La Habra
• Laguna Niguel
• Lake Forest - El Toro
• San Juan Capistrano
• San Clemente
• Tustin
• Westminster

How do I return an OCPL item to another OCPL library?

Just drop the item off at any of our Branches. Materials checked out from any of our branches can be returned to any other OCPL branch.

How do I return an OCPL item to a library outside of the OCPL system?

You can return items to libraries that are not part of OCPL. However, it might take much longer for them to be returned to one of our branches and you are responsible for any fines that occur during this time.

What is iBistro?

iBistro is the catalog of all materials owned by OCPL. "My iBistro" is your personal portion of the catalog. Log into "My iBistro" to see your account. You can check your account, change your PIN and renew items.

How do I log on to iBistro and why is it important?

To log into "My iBistro" click on the "Catalog" link on OCPL's web site. The "My iBistro" login box is in top right corner of the screen. Your User ID is your library card barcode. Your PIN is the password you created when you got your library card. If you've forgotten your PIN you must go to your local branch with photo ID to get it. If you need help using iBistro, contact any branch.

How do I use the Catalog (iBistro)?

Click here for instructions on the use of iBistro.

How do I renew my library materials?

There are 3 ways to renew library materials: in person at any branch, by calling your local branch or by using the online library catalog, iBistro,

To renew online start at www.ocpl.org. Login to "My iBistro." Click on "My Account" and then click on "Renew My Materials" and follow the steps to renew your items. Three-week loan items may be renewed twice if there are no holds on them. Items that have a one-week loan may NOT be renewed.

How do I check to see what I have checked out from my home computer?

Go to www.ocpl.org and click on the Catalog link. Login to My iBistro to see your account.

How do I reserve materials?

Holds can be placed in person, by phone or on the website at www.ocpl.org. Login to "My iBistro" to place a hold. When you pickup your hold, there will be a 25 cent charge.

How do I renew my library materials?

There are 3 ways to renew library materials: in person at any branch, by calling any of our branches, or by using the online library catalog, iBistro. To renew online start at www.ocpl.org and go directly to our link Renew Library Books! http://orca.ocpl.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/0/0/0/29/1169/X/3 . Enter your Library Card number and your PIN. If your Library Card begins with the letter “D” replace it with the number “2”. If you forgot your PIN contact any of our libraries for assistance. Three-week loan items may be renewed twice if there are no holds on them. Items that have a one-week loan period are not renewable. If you have an existing fine of $5.00 or more you will not be able to renew, or if your material is overdue and the fines accruing is $5.00 or more you will not be able to renew either. Contact any of our libraries for assistance.

Who do I contact with regards to my account?

Contact any of our branches for immediate assistance. http://www.ocpl.org/branches.asp

How do I check out a book that OCPL doesn't own?

You may be able to make use of our Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL). Please go to About US - Interlibrary Loan Services for more information.

How do I find out which libraries have Internet access?

All OCPL branch libraries have Internet access available to the public. Please see Branches for further details.

How do I find training on how to use the Internet?

Many of our branch libraries have classes on how to use the Internet. Please click on the Events link to find current classes.

How do I find a branch library that has wireless Internet access?

All Branches have free high speed wireless Internet access. Please click here for information.

How do I find a library that has photocopy machines or microfilm machines?

All of our branches have photocopy machines. The copies cost 15 cents per page. Microfilm/microfiche reader/printers are available at some branches. Please call your local branch to see if a microfilm reader/printer is available.

How do I find a branch library that provides computers for writing resumes and other documents?

All branch libraries have computers that you can use to write resumes and other documents.

How do I find what my PIN is?

PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. Your PIN has between 4 and 10 digits/letters. When you got your library card you created a PIN. If you have forgotten your PIN, you can ask the library staff for assistance, be prepared to show a photo ID. You can also change your PIN on the library catalog website or ask staff to change it for you. Log into "My iBistro" click on "My Account" and follow the steps to change your PIN.

How do I find out about information regarding a Collection Notice I received? What do I do?

Call your local branch library to deal with this as soon as possible.

How do I find a library that has a Friends of the Library Bookstore?

Many of our libraries have Friends of the Library Bookstores. Hours vary from branch to branch. Please call your local branch for more information. Wonderful, inexpensive items can be found at these bookstores. Money raised from the sales supports the local branch.

How do I get a job at the library? I am interested in working for the library system.

Click on About Us and check out Employment Opportunities or go to the County of Orange Human Resources web page at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/oc/.

How do I contact someone at OCPL's Administration/Headquarters?

OCPL's Administration/Headquarters is located at 1501 E. St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, 92705. The telephone number is (714) 566-3000.

How do I contact OCPL's Technical Support?

You can contact OCPL's Technical Support by emailing them at techsupport@ocpl.org

WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY LIBRARY CARD?

You can check out books, DVDs, CDs and more

You can do research online by clicking on the Research/Resources link http://www.ocpl.org/randr.asp

You can check out e-audiobooks.

e-audiobooks are downloadable versions of audio books, similar to what you might find in a cassette or CD format. These digital books can be downloaded to your computer and used offline. Some can be transferred to portable audio devices, or even burned to CD. You may have up to 10 e-audiobooks checked out at one time. Best of all, e-audiobooks are automatically returned after a 14 day loan period so there are NEVER any late fees.

You can check out Rental Bestsellers for a small fee.

Rental bestsellers are those high demand titles that you can rent from the library for one week at the charge of $1.50.

You can check out Playaway titles.

A Playaway offers high quality digital sound from a lightweight player that is compact enough to fit in your hand or in a pocket. Our collection - both fiction and non-fiction - is growing all the time.

You can check out videos and DVDs.

Persons 18 years or older can check out videos and DVDs. Users can check out 3 entertainment DVDs per card. Users can check out 5 each per card of the following types: Non-Fiction DVDs, Non-Fiction Videos, and Entertainment Videos.

You can print FREE everyday.

The first 5 pages you print each day are free. After that the cost is 15 cents per page. To print more pages you must add money to your Pay for Print account. Please ask branch staff for help with this.