BORROWER SERVICES

Getting a Library Card
Paso Robles Public Library is happy to offer you the opportunity to apply for a library card online!  From the comfort of home or office, you can apply for your card.   Your information will be entered by a staff member and you will be sent a library card number that you can use to access online databases or place holds  To complete the process, come in to the library with current identification to pick up your card. Visit the Black Gold Library Card Application page to apply. 

To apply for a card in the library, bring in identification with your current name and address. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under 18 years of age applying for a card. Library card privileges are the same for children and adults. Your first library card is free! Should you lose or damage it, a $1.00 fee will be charged for the first replacement. Any replacement after that will be $5.00. Please report lost or stolen cards immediately, as you are responsible for all materials checked out on your card. You may use your library card at any Black Gold public library between San Miguel and Ventura.

The Educator's Library Card
The mission of the Paso Robles Public Library is to forge partnerships with the community that support life-long learning.  To that end, the library now offers special library card privileges for credentialed teachers and home-schooling parents.  This Educator's Library Card is only available through the Paso Robles Library and includes:

• An extended loan period of 4 weeks for any circulating item owned by the Paso Robles Public Library, including one 3-week renewal if the item is not on hold for another patron at the time of renewal.  For special loan items or DVDs, the loan period is 2 weeks with one 1-week renewal.
• A limit of up to 40 items checked out to the card.  The number of items on a particular topic or format may be limited at the discretion of the library staff.
• Free inter-library loans on items requested within the Black Gold Library System.

Educators are reminded that these privileges are valid on materials borrowed for educational use only.  Overdue, lost, or damage charges incurred on all borrowed materials are still the responsibility of the cardholder.

To qualify for these privileges an educator is asked to:

• Obtain a personal Black Gold Library card.
• Be a borrower in good standing (no fines in excess of $5.00)
• Make an appointment with the Julie Dahlen to provide validation of educator status; pay stub, letter of request on school or agency letterhead, valid teaching credential, or home educator card.  An educator's sticker will be affixed to your library card upon presentation of one of these documents.

Call Kris at 237-3870 for more information about the Educator's Library Card.

Loan period/Fines/Fees
Most books, periodicals, audio tapes and CDs are due three weeks from the day they are checked out. Most items may be returned to any Black Gold library, in person or to a book drop. Overdue fines for books, periodicals, audio tapes and CDs are .20 per day per item. Special loan books such as encyclopedias may be checked out for one week. Overdue fines for special loans are .25 per day per item. Videotapes and DVDs may be checked out for one week. Overdue fines for videos and DVDs are $1.00 per day.  The fee schedule for lost or damaged items is adopted by the City Council and updated annually.  Current fees are:

Renewing Materials
To renew by phone: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, use the Library’s automated renewal system. You will need to have the complete barcode number from your Library card and the items to be renewed. Dial the toll-free number 800-354-9660 from anywhere in the 805 area code and follow the instructions.

To renew via the Internet: www.blackgold.org
Again, you must have the complete barcode number from your Library card and your PIN. Click on “View Your Record” to access your record and learn which items you have checked out, when they’re due back, request renewals, see whether you have any fines to pay, check on any titles you may have on hold, and more.

Of course, you may always come into the Library to renew your items, please bring your Library card with you.

Periodicals, special loans, and audiovisual materials may not be renewed.

Holds/Reserves
You may search for and reserve materials by using the online library catalog. A .50 fee is charged for placing a hold. Other charges may apply if the item reserved comes from outside the Black Gold Cooperative Library System. You will be notified by email, telephone, or printed notice when the item you ordered is in.

Inter-Library Loan
For that hard-to-find item not owned by the Black Gold Library System, visit the Reference Desk and we will search a national database for your item (average cost is $2.00 per item).

Your Library Record
To see what you have checked out, check or modify the status of your holds, renew books, or update your email address for notification, view your library record. If you have not used this feature before, you will need to establish a PIN.

Bestseller Rentals
Although the library buys copies of bestsellers for the regular collection, sometimes the waiting list can be long. The bestseller rental program provides an alternative to reserving a popular title. Bestseller rentals are available on a first come first served basis at the library. There is a $2 fee for checking out a bestseller rental for one week. Come to the library to reserve a bestseller for yourself today!

New Media Formats
The library now has books on CD for your listening pleasure.  Check out our new DVD collection; everything from classics to anime.  For more information call 237-3870. You can also download eAudiobooks to listen to on your computer or portable device. Follow this eAudiobook Help link to learn how to set up your account and start downloading!