Library Cards

Library Cards:

New and replacement library cards are free.
Solano County, St. Helena, and Dixon cards are valid in Benicia; Benicia cards are valid in Solano County and St. Helena.
If you are a new patron getting a card, create an eCard (application below). To convert your ecard to a physical card, come to the library with your picture ID.

Application Requirements:

Eligible for a card at age 1 day old.
Adults and children 15 and older need a picture identification with name.
Parent or guardian’s approval/signature required for children 17 and younger.
Must be a California resident.

Library Card Application in English

Registro para Tarjetas de la Biblioteca

eCard Application

Your Responsibilities:

Bring your card with you to check out your materials.
Report lost or stolen cards promptly.
Notify library of change in name, phone number, or email.
Return your checked out items in a timely basis and in the condition you checked it out.
Pay the fees accrued on your card.

eCards:

With your eCard, you have 24/7 access to the Solano Partner Libraries and St. Helena (SPLASH) Consortium's virtual services. The eCard allows residents of Solano County and St. Helena to log in and use our electronic resources and place holds from home without first coming to a library to get a card.
The eCard does allow you to place holds on physical items. You will need to convert your eCard to a physical card to check out physical items.
Complete the online application.
If you already hold a library card from any one of the SPLASH libraries, you do not need to apply for an eCard.
eCards will not provide access to Discover & Go Museum Passes or Mango Languages.
If you wish to replace your eCard with a physical card, come to the library with your photo ID
FAQs.

Loans and Renewals:

Most materials are loaned for 21 days. DVDs from the Lucky Day Collection and tools are loaned for 7 days. Some materials from outside our system may have restricted due dates.
Materials will be automatically renewed 2 times, if allowed and requested by another patron, except for these items: Lucky Day Collection DVDs, Tools, Things, and any items checked out by special permission which can't be renewed. Link+ items have one renewal if not on hold for another patron and ILL items can be renewed once with permission of the owning library. Call 707-746-4343 within 3 days of the due date to make arrangements.
A maximum of 50 items may be charged to one person.
You may return books from other SPLASH libraries to us and ours to other SPLASH libraries except for Things and Tools. They must be returned to the Benicia Public Library's Service Desk.
You can use the online catalog to view your personal library record by following the directions on the screen both in the library and at home.

Fines and Fees

Items not returned within 14 days after the due date will be converted to "lost" and an overdue notice is emailed from Benicia Library.
Patrons with fines of $50.00 or more or with lost books will not be allowed to check out more materials until overdue materials are returned.
Lost items will be billed to the patron for the price of the item. No partial payments of an item are accepted.

Collections

Patrons who have been sent to the Unique Collections Agency by Solano County Library System will have to return to one of those libraries to have their fines cleared. We are unable to receive your fines, remove the fines or give you a new library card. You may return your books here and update your address and phone number. You cannot check out anymore items until your fines are cleared with the Library who sent you to Collections.