About Us

Thank you for choosing the San Bernardino County Library (SBCL) as your source for educational and recreational access to learning. Whether you are participating in a free library class, using the internet computers, volunteering, using the free Wi-Fi connection at many of our libraries, or checking out books we are committed to providing the best level of service possible. SBCL is a dedicated team of talented individuals who are working hard to make our library system the best resource in your community. While these have been challenging economic times, we believe that libraries are valuable and look forward to growing and changing as technology and the dissemination of information advances. SBCL strength comes from its many diversified components. From our geography to the customers we serve, SBCL is able to draw upon a large network of materials and human abilities as it provides learning opportunities to people of all ages.

We hope you enjoy your visit and come back often.

Mission
The San Bernardino County Library System (SBCL) is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serves a diverse population over a vast geographic area. SBCL strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs, and services for all the people who call San Bernardino County home.

Vision
SBCL envisions its role as an educational and recreational service for all the people of San Bernardino County. By utilizing the resources of SBCL’s meeting spaces, technology, materials, programs, services, and staff we envision adding to the quality of life and strengthening the community identity everywhere a branch library currently operates. SBCL envisions accomplishing this by being a partner, an educator, a resource, and guide upon which the public, educational institutions, business, industry, and government can rely for accurate and timely information, lifelong opportunities, recreational and intellectual stimulation, and cultural enrichment.

Core Values
We hope to provide not just good, but GREAT customer service.
A commitment to providing the best and most accurate information available.
Maintain clean, safe, and inviting library environments.
Develop meaningful and exciting library class and events that enrich people’s lives.
Work with our community support groups to fund and develop new library materials.
Develop and train library staff into an outstanding team.

San Bernardino County Library History 1913-2013

All library customers must adhere to the Customer Code of Conduct while in the library facilities.

Cardholder Responsibilities

Your library card gives you the power to access the following from any of our 32 different locations:

  • Books, DVDs, Music CDs, Audio Books & more
  • Downloadable books compatible with a variety of digital devices
  • Reference assistance
  • Free wifi at designated locations
  • Computers (180 mins max per day)
  • Internet
  • Adult Literacy Assistance
  • Story times
  • Programs
  • Online databases
  • Language learning assistance
  • Health and wellness information center
  • Legal forms
  • Tuition funding sources
  • Auto repair information
  • Job resources
  • Student learning resources

New Library Catalog Options

  • Text a call number to a cell phone from the website
  • Use your name to log-in instead of a library card number
  • Mobile-friendly website
  • Choose to keep a reading history
  • Customize search by relevance or popularity
  • Develop lists with multiple export options

Check-out Policies

  • Check out up to 50 items at a time
  • Place holds on 30 items
  • Return materials at any one of the libraries 32 branches
  • Overdue fees/fines will be assessed for late items

Library card access will be suspended if:

  • You owe fees of $10.00 or more on a card
  • Your fines/fees are older than one year
  • Your account accumulates $25.00 in fines/fees, it will be referred to a collection agency and an additional $11.00 fee will be added

Cardholder Responsibilities

You Must:

  • Present your library card every time you borrow materials and use the computers
  • Not allow other people to use your card; it is for your use only
  • Report a lost or stolen card to library staff immediately; $2.00 fee to replace lost card
  • Update name, e-mail, telephone number or address change online or in person at any SBCL branch.
  • Return or renew materials by the due date
  • Pay for lost or overdue materials borrowed on card

Parents/Responsible Party are liable for the borrowing privileges of the card they signed for until the cardholder reaches 18 years of age.

Renewing Library Materials

Most SBCL materials can be checked out for 2 weeks and may be renewed up to 9 more times, provided no one else has requested them
Have your library card with you to renew your items

  • Renew online at My Account
  • Renew in person or by calling one of the libraries to speak with staff

Library Card Information

Registration
To get a permanent 1 year library card visit any San Bernardino County Library.

Eligibility
California resident – Free. Issued for 1 year
Non-California resident – $10 annual fee. Issued for 1 year

Option Card
Be a Library Champion by supporting your local library and become an Option Card holder with a $5 donation per year. With your Option Card you can place holds on up to 50 items and can checkout up to 100 items at a time! 

Requirements to Get a Permanent Library Card

Adult
Library card applicant must be present to receive a library card.

Identification and address verification requirements
• Photo ID with current mailing address (driver’s license, California ID card, student ID, work ID, passport – copies will not be accepted)
• Photo ID without current mailing address- (driver’s license, California ID card, student ID, work ID, passport) PLUS mail to applicant or parent/responsible person.
• Partial year residents that have out of state ID must have a local mailing address and meet the requirements above OR pay the Non-California resident fee.

Minors (0-17 YEARS)
The minor must be present to receive a library card.
Two options are available to assist minors age 0-17 in getting a library card:

1. The minor may be accompanied by a parent or other adult who is willing to accept financial responsibility for the account and able to present a photo ID and proof of current address.  Photo ID must meet the criteria listed above, copies will not be accepted. Up to two responsible parties may have authorized access to the account; contact information on the account applies to the first name listed; the first-named person accepts financial responsibility for the account. Failure to return materials and fines/fees of $25 or more will result in referral to a collection agency and additional charges. If the account is submitted to the collection agency, the parent/responsible party will be responsible in his/her own name for the debt.

2. If a parent or responsible adult is unable to accompany the minor to the library, the minor may present the following:

a.    Library card application form signed by the parent/responsible party.
b.    Parent/Responsible Party’s actual photo ID (no copies accepted) and proof of current address.
c.    Parent/Responsible Party Consent Agreement form completed and signed by the responsible adult. 

Literacy clients/Customers unable to write
An adult companion or library staff member may complete the application form.

Institutional cards (SB County Departments, corporations, nonprofit organizations, schools, daycare centers, etc. – not to be issued to individuals living at a group home or school.)

A letter (on official letterhead from an authorized representative) listing authorized users and a statement that the organization (not the listed individuals) is responsible for all fees.
A standard Library Card Application, completed by the authorized representative.
Institutional cards are verified yearly.

Department of Child Services Parent/Guardian
This program is for children in out-of-home care. If your child is in out-of-home care, you can get him/her a library card in this program. You will need to show your care agreement for the child to verify that you are eligible for the program.

Lost or stolen library card
Contact your local San Bernardino County Library Branch immediately. Customers are responsible for any fines/fees on their library account unless the card was reported lost or stolen.

Replacement library card
It cost $2.00 to replace a regular library card. The $2.00 must be paid at the time of purchase.

When Privileges expires “Privilege has expired” visit any branch of the San Bernardino County Library.

Library Card Renewals:
Cards can be renewed over the phone when the customer has the card number.

Forgot your Library card PIN number
You can contact your local San Bernardino County Library branch by telephone (please have your library card and address ready for verification) or you can use our website on our Homepage and click on My Account, located in the drop down menu on the right-hand side of the webpage. On the next screen click on Forgot my PIN, enter your library card or username, your PIN will be emailed to you.

Changing your library card PIN number
You can contact your local San Bernardino County Library branch by telephone (please have your library card and address ready for verification) or you can use our website on our Homepage and click on My Account, located in the drop down menu on the right-hand side of the webpage. Enter your library card and PIN number. Click on Change Logon, enter your old PIN and new PIN in the boxes provided.

Creating a username to Logon to my account
From our website on our Homepage click on My Account, located in the drop down menu on the right-hand side of the webpage. Enter your library card and PIN number. Click on Change Logon, check the box next to Change Username, and enter a username.

Check my Library Account Online
Check your account at anytime by logging into our catalog located here.
Logging on to My Account allows customers to view:

  • Materials checked out on their library cards
  • Fines/fees
  • Holds placed
  • Available holds
  • From the My Account tab customers may also:
  • Cancel all holds or selected individual holds to cancel
  • Opt to keep a reading list
  • Opt to keep saved search history

Fines and Fees

Featured DVD – $1.50/day 

Customers can pay fines/fees at any San Bernardino County Library Branch.

How to Pay Fines and Fees via Credit Card Online
Patrons can pay for fines, photocopies, printing and all other library charges using our online system.
To access, please visit our Library Services page, and sign in with your library card and PIN number.
Once signed in, click on “My Account”, and select “Fines and Fees” from the dropdown menu.
Click on “Pay Your Account Online” to start the payment process.

Collection Agency Payments
Customers can make payments to the library.
Partial payments may be made but if not paid in full within 120 days, the account will still be referred to the credit bureaus.
All payments are reported daily to Unique Management Services.
Accounts sent to the credit reporting agencies will be removed from a customer’s credit history once the account is cleared at the library.
Customers must contact the credit agency reporting the record of debt, and neither Unique Management nor the Library is authorized to request changes to their credit record.
Credit Bureaus – Dispute Contact Information:
Experian (formerly TRW)
(999) 397- 3742
Trans Union
P.O. Box 2000
Chester, PA. 19022
(800) 916-8800

 
Credit reporting

  • Unique Management Services is a material recovery service. It is not a credit reporting agency. After 120 days, even if partial payments have been made, Unique Management Services submits the delinquent account to credit reporting agencies, which make the information available to credit grantors such as mortgage companies and banks. All payments are reported daily to Unique Management Services.
  • Showing a debt as “paid” on a customer’s credit report is not the same as “expunging” the debt from the customer’s credit report.

DISPUTES
Customers wishing to dispute fines/fees must contact the branch manager at their home branch immediately.
Customers wishing to dispute being sent to Unique Management Collection Agency should contact:
Unique Management Services
119 E. Maple Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
(800) 879-5453

Refunds for Lost Material
If you have found an item you have paid for because it was considered lost:
Take the item and your receipt to your home branch. Make sure to give the library your current mailing address.
Request for refunds must be made within 90 days of payment for a lost item.
Refunds are made only for the value of the materials returned, not for any fines included in the total payment.
Refunds may take up to three months to process.

Services Offered

Borrowing Privileges
To borrow library materials, you must obtain a library card by completing a brief application and providing current photo identification at your local branch library. The card is valid for one year and can be used at all 32 branches. Most books and other materials circulate for 14 days. Items can usually be renewed for nine additional loan period if the item has not been reserved. Loan periods for videos and DVDs vary from one to three days. Borrowed library materials may be renewed at any branch library or by logging onto our On-Line Public Access Catalog.

Use the toll-free number 800-722-4512 with any touchtone phone to renew your library materials, as well as retrieving information on overdue materials, fines owed and the status of requested material. You will need your library card number and PIN (usually the last four digits of your phone number) to use this service.

Customers are responsible for the replacement cost of lost or damaged materials. It is very important to report a lost or stolen card immediately, as you are responsible for items borrowed on the card until its loss is reported. Remember to also report any changes in your address, phone number or name as soon as possible.

The San Bernardino County Library supports the individual’s right to have access to ideas and information representing all points of view. The library upholds the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement as well as the American Film and Video Association’s Freedom to View Statement.
Information

Each branch library has highly trained, courteous staff members who are ready to answer reference questions, help locate additional resources, or assist in the use of online databases. Requests for information can be made by phone. Information obtained from outside sources will be delivered to your local branch library, or, at your request, can be faxed to your home, office, or school.


Internet
FREE public access to the Internet is available at all County Library branches. Over 300 public PCs with Internet, Internet email and messaging and Microsoft Office software are available to library card customers or visitors by registering at branch locations. Visitors should also check with library staff for further information.


Youth Services
Each branch library features an age-appropriate Children’s Collection of books and other materials to meet the needs of babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school-age children through grade 6. Similarly, the Young Adult Collection provides age-appropriate materials for those in junior and senior high school.


Trained Youth Services
Staff members are available to help youth of all ages discover the enjoyment of reading and the use of library resources. Special programs for children and their parents/caregivers and teens are offered throughout the year. View the branch events in your area for schedules of programs.


Books By Mail
Books By Mail is a service available to residents who live within the County Library service area and are unable to visit a branch library or bookmobile stop due to serious health issues or distance. Additional information is available by calling Library Administration.

Adult Literacy Services 
Trained volunteers are available to provide free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring for adults who wish to improve their reading, writing, spelling and technology skills. Click here for more information.

Library Classes and Events
Library Classes and Events are offered at all branch libraries on a wide variety of topics. Program schedules, event information and use of available meeting facilities may be obtained from library staff in your local branch or by checking individual branch calendars branches.

Study Rooms / Conference Rooms / Meeting Rooms
Meeting and Study room guidelines vary by branch at the discretion of the branch manager. No application is required. Please contact your local branch library for more information.

Tax Documents – 
The San Bernardino County Library does not have state or federal tax forms available. Online tax forms may be printed at the library and regular printing charges apply.

Braille Institute Services – provides free reading and listening material to the blind or visually impaired.

Free Wifi and Public Computers

Wi-Fi Services
A library card is not necessary to access free wireless Internet service.
All San Bernardino County Library Branches currently offer free wireless internet connection except Carter Branch Library.

The San Bernardino County Library provides information resources through the Internet in accordance with its Mission Statement. The Internet offers many useful sources of information, but also provides access to materials that may be offensive or disturbing to some individuals, as well as information which may be factually incorrect or illegal. Although filtering software is installed on all public computers, the
Library cannot guarantee that users will be unable to access objectionable sites.
Neither the Library nor its Internet access providers are responsible for the truth or accuracy of information found on the Internet, nor shall the Library bear any liability for direct or indirect damages resulting from the use of information derived from the Internet.

Wireless Printing
All San Bernardino County branches (except the Carter Branch) provide wireless printing. Print from home and pick-up at your local branch or visit any San Bernardino County Library and print directly from your laptop, tablet, or mobile device using our wireless printing service. Once on the site, you can choose to print your documents at a location within the San Bernardino County Library system by searching for and selecting your local branch. All black and white printing is charged at ten cents per page. All color printing is charged at fifty cents per page.

Public Computers
All San Bernardino County branches have public computers.
Computer reservations are made at the library only no reservations can be made on-line.
To use a public computer, customers must have a current San Bernardino County Library card that is not blocked or banned.
Non residents-visitors may apply for a free Internet library card valid for 2 weeks.
In order to issue Internet only Cards, Branch Manager or staff are required to ask for photo identification and verify card status in our library software database.
Library customers may sign on to public computers using their own library card number for one session per day. Staff may provide adults or young adults (14-17 years) with their library card number and PIN provided they have proper identification (same as required for issuing new or replacement library card).
Children (0-13) must have either parent or the responsible person designated on the child’s account, with current ID when requesting their library card number and PIN.

Users may not:
Install or run any software from the Internet.
Reconfigure systems or software or in any way interfere with the current system set-up.
Use any Library workstation for any illegal or criminal purpose.
Use any Library workstation to access websites or email containing objectionable or inappropriate materials, such as pornography, nudity, and extreme violence.
Violate any laws or software licensing agreements.
Harass or otherwise infringe on any customer’s use of the workstation or library.
Use a library account that is not their own. Users may be asked to provide identification when staff suspects abuse of privileges.

Limited time for Public Computers
Customers are given 60 minutes at the beginning of a session. 2 additional 15 minute extensions are given after the initial 60 minute period. If no other customer is waiting at the end of that initial 60 minute period the system will ask the customer if they want more time. If the customer accepts they will be given 15 minutes more. The same events will occur once that 15 minute period is up, totaling extra time to 30 minutes. At the end of the second extension then the customer’s session will end and they will have to re-login if there is no one waiting.

Place holds
If an item shows available in the catalog but message says “hold not successful,” it is because
some new titles in our catalog are not shared with our library systems for a minimum of 180 days.
Holds can be placed on books that do not belong to your home branch.

Selecting a pick up location.
You can choose a pick location from a drop down menu once you have selected an item you wish to place a hold on.

Changing a pick up location
To change your pick up location contact your local San Bernardino County Branch Library.

Available Holds/Requests
Available holds will be kept at the pickup location for 7 business days.
Holds ready for pick up will say, “HELD” under My Account/Request.
Holds waiting for an available copy will say, “Active” under My Account/Request.
Our Automated telephone system is the default notification when items become available for pick up however customers may choose E-mail or text notification as their default notification by request.

Expired Holds/Requests
Holds that are not filled within 365 days from the initial request will be automatically removed from the customers account unless a different date is entered by the customer.

Get Notifications

All notifications are a courtesy to the library customer.
Customers are notified by e-mail, telephone or text when their item is ready for pick up.

Telephone notifications
*Blocked telephone numbers may not receive notification.

E-mail Notifications
The San Bernardino County Library can provide electronic delivery of library notices to customers who have access to electronic mail accounts.

Blocked E-mails
To allow electronic notice delivery, change your spam filter settings or notify your Internet service provider or network administrator to insure the electronic notices are not blocked as “spam”.

E-mail notices consist of:
The e-mail reminder service lets you know that your books or other materials are due before the deadline. Phone calls only happen after you already missed the due date and have incurred a fine.

Notices that items you have requested are being held for you at a San Bernardino County Branch.

Overdue notices, sent about 7 days after the due date for items.

Only accounts with accurate e-mail or cell phone numbers will receive a bill after 21 days.

E-mail Notification Sign-up

If you sign-up for e-mail notification, you will not receive notices by phone or paper notices through the mail.

If you understand and agree to this policy, sign into your account and add your e-mail address to the e-mail address field.

To receive e-mail notices, please log in to your library account and change your notification preference.

To complete and save any changes, make sure you click “submit change request”
By default, your PIN has been set to the last four digits of your phone number.

OVERDUE NOTIFICATION
It is the customers’ responsibility to keep their account current to avoid late charges.
Customers registered for e-mail receive courtesy notification 2 days before an item is due.
7 days after an item is overdue, an overdue notice is sent by Phone – unless the customer’s record has been preset to e-mail or text.

Phone – Automated voice system- 3 attempts are made by our automated system.
10 days: an overdue notice is sent stating this is the customer’s second overdue notice and they need to settle their account promptly or they may be referred to a collection agency.
Automated voice system- 3 attempts are made by our automated system.

15 days: an overdue notice is sent stating this is the customer’s third overdue notice and they need to settle their account promptly or they may be referred to a collection agency.
Automated voice system-3 attempts are made by our automated system.

Bill E-mail Notices:

21 days: an overdue e-mail or text is sent out stating that the customer’s account is now billed for the overdue item plus a “Processing Fee” up to $10.00 maximum. *Accounts with a balance of $25.00 or more will be automatically sent to Unique Management Collection Agency and a $11.00 collection agency fee will be added to the account.

Reference Help

Visit one of our 32 libraries and seek reference assistance from a library staff member or call a library close to you for more information.

Obituary request
The San Bernardino County Library does not search for and copy obituaries. The following resources may assist you in your search.

Obituary search websites
www.publiclibraries.com/obituaries
www.rootsweb.com
www.findagrave.com
www.familysearch.org
www.interment.net