Library cards are free to anyone who provides valid form of identification, proof of address, and date of birth. Santa Clara County District Libraries are located in the following cities: Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos (2 locations), Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Saratoga.
Library Card FAQs
-
General Questions
Patrons who provide photo identification and date of birth but who cannot provide proof of current home or mailing address are eligible for a limited access card. A limited card allows for borrowing of up to 3 items, 3 requests, and is valid for one year. A limited card can be converted to a full access card by providing proof of photo id, date of birth, and proof of current home or mailing address.
Learn more about full-access and limited-access library cards.
- If you already have a Full Access Library Card, you do not need a Library eCard.
- A Full Access Card can be used to access both our digital and physical collections. It allows you to check out printed books, magazines, console games, CDs, DVDs, and more.
- A Full Access Card also allows you to reserve and use public computers at the library.
- If you have an eCard, you can convert it to a Full Access Card. Visit the Accounts Desk at the library to upgrade your card.
Library eCard
Full Access Library Card
Digital Collections
Download, stream, and place holds on digital titles. This includes ebooks, audiobooks, movies, music, newspapers, and magazines.
Yes Yes Online Research
Access reference ebooks, academic articles, genealogy tools, and more.
Yes Yes Online Learning and Homework Help
Enroll in online courses, take practice tests, get help from a live tutor, and learn a new language.
Yes Yes Physical Collections
Check out printed books, magazines, console games, Blu-rays and DVDs. Place holds on physical items.
Yes Library Computers
Reserve and use public computers at the library.
Yes Meeting Rooms
Reserve and use a meeting room in the library for meetings, study, projects, and public events.
Yes Museum Passes
Reserve a pass for local museums and attractions with the Discover & Go service. Additional terms of use apply.
Yes Visitors to the library who do not have an SCCLD library card are invited to register for a free Full Access or Limited Access Library Card to access materials, resources and services the Library has to offer, including the public computers. Guest passes are for those patrons who do not qualify for or do not want a library card, but wish to use a public computer or printer. Single use guest passes are free and available at the children’s and adult information desks. Guest passes will be issued one per patron per day and allow up to 3 hours of computer use per day, the same as a patron logging in with their library card. Patrons are required to follow the rules for computer usage set by SCCLD.
The Library offers free wireless access with no library card needed. Printing wirelessly to our printers requires a library card. Visit our computer services page to learn more about library computer services, or our Wi-Fi page to learn more about the SCCLD wireless network.
To save your library card on your phone or tablet, we recommend the library app, SCCLD. The library app allows you to save your card and account information. Download the SCCLD app from the Apple App Store, opens a new window or the Google Play Store, opens a new window.
With the SCCLD app, you can:
- Display your library card number and barcode for scanning.
- Display your library card expiration date.
- Display your sccld.org account username.
- View and edit your sccld.org account settings (email, username, PIN, preferred location).
- View your checkouts, holds, borrowing history, and shelves.
- Save multiple library cards on one device, and switch between them.
Android: The Google Wallet app includes an option to add a photo, opens a new window of your library card.
iOS: The Apple Wallet app does not support library cards.
-
My Account
A valid form of photo identification needs to be provided when applying for a new card, renewing an existing card, changing an address, or requesting a replacement card.
The following are acceptable forms of photo ID for adults (18 and over):
- Driver’s License or DMV ID Card
- Passport
- Credit card with photo
- Military ID
- Matricula Consular ID
- Current school ID
- Veteran’s identification card
- Green card, INS card, or Permanent Resident card
For children, we will accept any of the above, as well as the following:
- Medical Card
- Social Security Card
- Current report card that shows name and address
- Parent’s photo ID may be used to verify the child’s identity
- Documentation showing proof of status as foreign exchange student
- Anything that shows the child’s name and photo
Written address verification needs to be provided when applying for a new card.
The following are acceptable forms of address verification for adults (18 and over):
- Driver's License with current address*
- DMV I.D. Card with current address*
- Current utility or phone bill
- Current bank or credit card bill/statement
- Property tax bill showing name and address
- Current insurance card or policy showing address
- Current car registration that shows name and address
- Current rental agreement that shows name and address
- Current paycheck or paystub that shows name and address
- Current W-2 form
- Documentation showing proof of status as a foreign exchange student
- Report card or transcript from current school year that shows name and address
For children, we will accept any of the above, as well as the following:
- Current, postmarked mail addressed to the child
- Anything that shows the child’s name and address
- Parent may show address verification for the child
*A DMV change of address card or the new address written on the back of the license is NOT acceptable because the library has no way of verifying the new address on file with the DMV.
Library users within the Santa Clara County can use the Card Renewal and Address Update form to update their information online.
For more information about library cards, visit https://sccld.org/card/
Full Access Library Cards expire every 3 years. Limited Access Cards expire after 1 year. More information on card types can be found at Get a Library Card, opens a new window.
To renew a library card, visit the library in person with photo ID and proof of address or use the online Card Renewal and Address Change form, opens a new window, available for Library users who live within the Santa Clara County.
If your library card has been lost or stolen, please call the library to have your card disabled, then visit any of our locations with photo ID to get a replacement card.
Yes, you may choose to allow other family members or other individuals to use your library card. We still require that one person be responsible for the account and all activity on it. That person will also retain the privacy rights associated with the card.
Up to 100 items (max.) may be borrowed on a card at any one time, including up to 10 console games and up to 30 DVDs/Blu-rays. A total of 3 items may be borrowed on a limited access card.
You can reset your PIN online* by going to Log In / My SCCLD and using the "Forgot Your PIN?" link below the login fields.
- Enter your library card number, then click Send.
Note: Santa Clara County Library cards are 14 digits beginning 23305. eCards end with "-4" including the hyphen. - You will receive a "Santa Clara County Library Password reset" email containing further instructions at the email address associated with your account. Follow the link provided in the email to reset your PIN.
Note: If you do not have an email address on file or you do not receive a password reset email, visit Your PIN for instructions about more reset methods. Contact Account Services for further assistance. - Enter your library card number and new 4-digit PIN, then click Save to submit.
*For additional PIN reset methods, please visit Your PIN. -
Notifications
- Call the Accounts team Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm at 408-540-3945.
- Visit your local library's Accounts desk during open hours.
- Use the online form to update your notification preferences.
No, only one type of notice can be selected (ex. SMS, email).
Notifications are for physical materials (ex. book) and include the following:
- Hold notice
- Hold reminder sent 4-5 days after the hold notice, if the hold hasn't been picked up
- Due date reminder sent several days prior to the due date
- Courtesy due notification sent the day the item is due, if it is not able to be renewed
- Overdue notice sent 1 week after the due date, and again 2 weeks, later if not returned
- Autorenewal success notification
- If items are not eligible for autorenewal, a courtesy due notification for those items will be sent
- Billing notification
No, SMS notices are delivered once a day, around 9:30am.
The SMS notice has generic wording with a link for more information. The link takes you to a page with detailed item information.
The SMS notice comes from a dedicated local number: 408-539-5181.
- Call the Accounts team Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm at 408-540-3945.
- Visit your local library's Accounts desk during open hours.
- Use the online form to update your notification preferences.
Please Note: If you opt out of receiving SMS notifications and you have an email on file, you will receive email notifications.
If you text back to the SMS number, you will receive the following message:
- Have questions or need help? Text SCCLD at 833-209-6600. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to this message to unsubscribe.
If you call the SMS number, your call will forward automatically to the Santa Clara County Library account line 408-540-3945.