Accounts & Library Cards FAQs

  • Borrowing

    You can borrow up to 50 items at a time, including up to 15 DVDs, with a full-service card. 

    If you have a limited card, you will only be able to check out 2 items.

    Items check out for 3 weeks (21 days).

    You can also borrow other items with your card that don't count against the 50-item limit. These bonus items include:

    See everything you can download & stream.

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    You'll notice that some books are labeled Lucky Day (formerly called Express). 

    • Offer quick access to high-demand new titles and bestsellers, without having to wait for your turn on the hold list
    • First-come, first-served, at the location where they're on the shelf
    • Cannot be placed on hold or sent to another location for pickup
    • Check out for three weeks, just like other items
    • Cannot be renewed
    • Can be returned to any location

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    We are willing to work with you if this happens. Please contact us about lost or damaged items to figure out the best option. 

    If you need more time to look for a missing item, you may be able to renew it (check it out again), if no one else is waiting for it. 

    If it's lost or damaged, you can replace it or pay the replacement cost. Talk with us about your options!

    Visit any library location, or call or email Infoline, if the fee isn't yet showing up in your online account, or if you'd prefer to take the replacement option.

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    What should I use to wipe down materials?

    Please do not use disinfectant wipes. They are too harsh for our materials and will cause damage. These items can be wiped down with rubbing alcohol:

    • Hardback books
    • Boardbooks
    • Books with plastic covers
    • CD cases and both sides of the CD
    • DVD cases and both sides of the DVD

    Please do not soak materials or get pages wet. Please avoid the barcode when wiping down materials. It makes the barcode unreadable to our scanners. Thank you!

    Use the Library online instead!

    We encourage you to use our E-Library  and Download & Stream services for digital media, research tools, learning tools and much more!

    Is the Library wiping down every item returned?

    The Library is continuing to promote health and safety within its facilities by increasing its practices of cleaning and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces. 

    Please note that the Library is unable to comprehensively sanitize every single item that is checked out, and as such, customers are advised to wash their hands after handling materials and avoid touching their faces.

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    Your Borrowing History (which was called Reading History on the old site) is private and visible only to you. It is only visible to library staff if you give them permission to log in as you and view it. BiblioCommons, the company that maintains our website, doesn't store Borrowing History data. They simply display it from our underlying system, which will continue to be maintained by Innovative Interfaces, Inc. (III), which is bound by the same kind of agreement. They keep all of your account information confidential.

    The Library works with a variety of vendors to provide service to the public. The vendors are bound by agreements with Pima County which keep your borrowing information confidential. Vendors who work with Pima County treat your information as the Library would. They do not disclose it or share it, and they will only release it to law enforcement under warrant. In the case of the vendor who created the website, BiblioCommons, they do not have access to your reading history.

    If you wish to interact with your library account information, such as checkouts and holds, registration on the website is required. The terms of use on the new site are much more transparent and accessible, which is something that we at the Library appreciate. Should you decide to create lists, comment on titles, or add things to shelves in the new website, which is all completely optional, that data is stored by BiblioCommons, but once again, they are bound by our confidentiality agreement with them.

    Should you decide not to register on the website, you will not be able to access your account information online except through the Classic Catalog, opens a new window, which is an older system and is not guaranteed to be available forever. Once the vendor of the Classic Catalog removes support for it, it will no longer be maintained. In that event, you would have the option to call Infoline at 791-4010 to renew materials, confirm due dates, and place holds. If you'd like to read more about confidentiality and your library record, please see:

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    Do you want a read a paper magazine that's at another library? You can place holds on back issues of magazines to be picked up at the library of your choosing!

    How this works:

    1. Find a magazine in the catalog you want to read
    2. Click the Place a Hold button
    3. Select the issue you want from the drop-down menu
    4. Confirm your hold

    All of the same hold rules apply:

    • You can have up to 20 holds at a time on your card
    • We can deliver to any library for pickup
    • You can return to any library when you're done

    Please note:

    As of September 1, 2023, current issues of magazines do not check out, and cannot be placed on hold.

    Enjoy! And don't forget, we have digital magazines to fill all of your magazine-reading needs!

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    Are you curious about constellations, mystified by the Moon, or spellbound by stars? You can pursue or spark a love of astronomy at home with an Orion AstroBlast telescope.

    Borrowing
    A telescope may be checked out for 3 weeks by anyone who:

    • Is 18 years of age or older
    • Has a valid, full-service library card 
    • Has $5 or less in library fees
    • Shows picture ID at checkout

    Telescopes cannot be reserved or renewed.

    Before coming to the Library, you can download, print, read and sign the Telescope Lending Program Terms and Acknowledgement Form (PDF). If you don't have a printer, we can print a copy for you when you arrive.

    Use of the telescope

    • TO AVOID SERIOUS EYE INJURY OR BLINDNESS, DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN WITH THE TELESCOPE. THE LIBRARY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURY CAUSED BY IMPROPER TELESCOPE USE.
    • When you check the telescope out you are responsible for the proper transportation, use, and care of the telescope at all times. The telescope must be treated with care and handled as instructed by library staff.
    • DO NOT TOUCH, WIPE OR CLEAN THE LENS. This will damage the protective lens coating.

    Returning the telescope to the library
    The telescope, including all parts and books, must be:

    • Returned directly to the Library where it was checked out.
    • Handed to a staff member, not placed in a drop box or left outside the door.

    Fees and Fines
    There is no fee for checking out a telescope. If a telescope is not returned within two (2) weeks of the due date, the PCPL customer will be charged current replacement costs. Replacement costs can be several hundred dollars. Actual replacement costs will be assessed for any part that is not returned with the telescope. If the telescope, or any part, is damaged, either from improper care or improper return, the actual cost of repair or replacement, whichever is less, will be charged.

    These libraries currently have a telescope to loan:

    The telescopes were a generous gift from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA). The 4.5-inch Orion StarBlast is well-known for its easy operation and compact design. The telescope is a great introductory-level instrument capable of imaging the moon, planets, and distant celestial objects, including the Andromeda Galaxy, located 2.5 million light years away!

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    If you are able to send the items by mail, you can ship them back to us at the following address: 

    Joel D. Valdez Main Library
    Circulation Services
    101 N. Stone Ave.
    Tucson, AZ 85701

    If you are unable to ship them back, please call Infoline at 520-791-4010 to determine what other options might be available. 

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    If your items are still not showing as returned a week after due date, please contact us with your library card number and we can check on the status of your account.

    Please note: We no longer assess late fines.

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    As of July 1, 2020, we are fine free! We no longer assess overdue fines on materials returned late. Read more >

    If you have lost or damaged an item:

    Items automatically get flagged as lost in our system if they are not returned after 30 days from the due date. You will receive a bill for these items. However, please call or stop by to talk with us about your options. We are happy to work with you. You may have the option to replace the item or pay the replacement cost.

    If you return the item, the “lost” status is removed, the bill is cleared, and you will not incur overdue fines.

    Interlibrary Loan items

    • Late fee per day: $0.50
    • Maximum fee: $10.00
    • We have a 3-day grace period. If you return the items within 3 days of your due date, you won't be charged fees.
    • On the 4th day or later, you are charged based on the original due date.
    • Charges for lost or damaged interlibrary loan items are billed to you at whatever rate the lending library charges.

    Our online payment system is currently down, please visit your nearest branch to make a payment in person. If you have questions, please contact us

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  • Holds

    When you are logged in, click on your username in the upper right-hand corner, then on My Settings.

    In the Account Preference section, find Hold and Pickup Location, then click Change.

    Use the drop-down to select your Preferred Locations.

    Read more about preferred locations, and why it's useful to you to designate one, in this Website and Catalog Tip of the Week blog post.

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    How to place a hold:

    • In a search results list, place a hold by looking to the right of the title: Click on the green button: Place a Hold.
    • If you’re looking at a title’s record: Click on the green Place a Hold button on the right side of the screen.

    To see what you already have on hold:

    • Log In in the upper right corner of the website.   
      • If it's your first time logging in, you’ll need to register your account and create a username.
    • Click on your username in the upper right corner where it previously said Log In. You'll see a menu of options drop down.
    • Click On Hold under My Borrowing.

    Enable one-click holds for faster service! You can enable one-click holds by checking the box you see when you place a hold. Once you enable one-click holds, you will be able to place a hold in one-click as long as you're logged in.

    Please note: You can have 20 items on hold at one time. This includes any paused holds.

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    You can pick up holds for a family member or friend if you and the other person's accounts are linked in our system. An adult can link their card with any other adult. Children and teens cards can only be linked to the cards of their parents or legal guardians.

    To link your cards:

    • Both parties have to come into the library,
    • Present their cards or photo I.D., and
    • Request to be linked.

    If a child doesn't have a photo I.D., we can link using the parent's I.D.

    Once cards are linked, either party can:

    • Check out holds for each other by coming up to the service desk.
    • Access each other's account information, such as checked out items, holds, late fees (fines), and personal information.
    • Update each other's personal information, such as address, email, and phone number.
    • Unlink at any time.

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    We call that placing a hold. We will send the next available copy to the location you'd prefer for pickup.

    Learn more about placing holds.

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    You can pause holds (previously called suspend) and then activate them again when you're ready. While they are paused, you'll still move up in the waiting list, but you'll top out at #1 until you activate the hold(s) again.

    You can have 20 items on hold at one time. This includes paused holds.

    You can't pause holds if:

    • The item is already on the hold shelf for you.
    • You are number 1 on the hold list.
    • The item is in transit to your pickup location.
    • There is a copy of the item on the shelf at any library in our system.

    How to pause a hold:

    • Log in in the upper right-hand corner
    • Select On Hold from the drop-down menu under your account name
    • Check the box next to the title you want
    • Click on Pause hold

    How to reactivate or un-pause holds that are paused:

    • Log in in the upper right-hand corner
    • Select On Hold from the drop-down menu under your account name
    • Click on the button next to Paused on the left-hand side
    • Check the box next to the title you want
    • Click on Resume hold

    About pausing digital holds from OverDrive

    When you pause a digital hold for an OverDrive title, it will ask you to select a date. To pause a digital hold:

    • Log in in the upper right-hand corner
    • Select On Hold from the drop-down menu under your account name
    • Click on the Pause hold button in your holds screen. You will see a screen with an option to choose the date:

    • Once you click on Select a date, you will see a calendar date picker:

    • After selecting a date, click on Pause hold.

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    Log in to your library account on our website.

    • If it's your first time logging in, you’ll need to register your account and create a username.
    • Click on your username in the upper right corner where it previously said Log In. You'll see a menu of options drop down.
    • Click On Hold under My Borrowing.
    • To the right of each hold, you'll find a gray Cancel Hold button. Click the one next to the title you want to cancel.

    • When prompted, you can check the Keep a reference box to add the title to one of your Shelves, or not.
    • Click the blue Cancel hold button.

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    As an added convenience for our customers, we have added pickup lockers at a few libraries.

    Items are held in lockers for 3 days.

    Pickup lockers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, allowing you to pick up holds when it's convenient for you.

    Read more about how to use our pickup lockers.

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    Do you want a read a paper magazine that's at another library? You can place holds on back issues of magazines to be picked up at the library of your choosing!

    How this works:

    1. Find a magazine in the catalog you want to read
    2. Click the Place a Hold button
    3. Select the issue you want from the drop-down menu
    4. Confirm your hold

    All of the same hold rules apply:

    • You can have up to 20 holds at a time on your card
    • We can deliver to any library for pickup
    • You can return to any library when you're done

    Please note:

    As of September 1, 2023, current issues of magazines do not check out, and cannot be placed on hold.

    Enjoy! And don't forget, we have digital magazines to fill all of your magazine-reading needs!

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    You can change the pickup location for items at hold as long as they are not already in transit. Here's how:

    • Log in to your account.
    • Use the drop-down menu under your username to go to the On Hold screen.
    • To the right of each title, you’ll see a link with a drop-down below Pick up at that shows the library.
    • Click the small downward arrow to select another library.

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    If you're on the waiting list for items, you can change your pickup location to get them delivered to another library. 

    Please note: You cannot change your pickup location online if you are #1 on the hold list or if the item is already in transit.

    1. Log in (upper right-hand corner of the website) 
    2. Use the drop-down under your username to select On Hold under My Borrowing
    3. For any item that shows Not ready, use the drop-down menu to select another library location:

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  • PINs

    If you've forgotten your PIN, use the "Forgot your PIN?" link on the login page to reset it. For this to work, you must have an email address on file.

    To reset your PIN:

    1. On the Login page, click the Forgot your PIN link.
    2. On the Forgot your PIN page, enter your barcode.
    3. Click Send. In a few seconds, an email will be sent to the email address associated with your account.
    4. Open the email and click the link to launch your browser.
    5. On the Reset PIN page, enter your barcode. Enter a new PIN, and then confirm it by typing it again.
    6. Click Save.

    If you have never logged in to your library account before on the library website, the steps above will not work. If that is the case, please reset your PIN on our Classic Catalog by clicking on the “Forgot Your PIN?” An email will be generated for you to reset your PIN.

    If you don't have an email address or you never gave it to the Library, come in to the Library with your card and photo ID to get a PIN set up or reset.

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     To change your PIN

    1. If you have not already done so, log in to your account.
    2. Click on your username to see the drop-down menu.
    3. Click the My Settings link.
    4. Under Account Information, you’ll see PIN: Change your account PIN. Click on Change.
    5. In the Old PIN field, enter your existing PIN.
    6. In the New PIN field, enter the new PIN you want to use.
    7. In the Confirm New PIN field, enter the new PIN again.
    8. Click the Save PIN button.

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  • Registering & Logging In

    Sign in to your account by clicking Log In / My PCPL in the upper right corner of the website.

    Click My Account to see a menu of options for your account. Here is how you can view your borrowing information. Click the links under My Borrowing (Checked Out, On Hold, Borrowing History) to view those items.

    At this time, Borrowing History does not contain the e-books, downloadable audiobooks, streaming films, or downloadable songs you borrow since those are managed by separate systems such as OverDrive, Hoopla, IndieFlix, and Freegal.

    • On the OverDrive website.
    • In the Libby app.
    • In Hoopla, you will login, then go to the "My Hoopla" menu at the top, then select History.

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    Can’t remember your username? Log in using your library card number and PIN. Your username is for your convenience. You can always log in with your library card number. Once logged in, you will see your username in the upper-right hand corner of the website.

    Can’t remember your PIN/password? Your PIN is a a four-digit number. If you can’t remember your PIN, you can reset it. Click the Forgot your PIN? link. If we have your email address on file with us, you’ll get an email with a link in it that will enable you to create a new PIN.

    Still can’t log in? Contact Infoline at 520-791-4010 for help.

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    If you want to interact with your library account online to renew, see due dates, and place holds, you will need to register.

    To register, click on Log In / My PCPL in the the upper, right-hand corner of the website, then on Log In / Register (green button). Enter your library card number and PIN.

    See How do I register? 

    You’ll be asked to create a username, which you can use as an alternative to your library card number to login. When you register your library card, if your exact username isn’t available, the system will tell you to select another. Vulgar and offensive usernames are not allowed and will be removed.

    If you want your holds to be held at the Library under your username rather than your real name:

    • Come to the Library with your card and I.D. and we will make a note in our system of your username.
    • When a hold comes in for you, it will be put on the shelf under your username.

    Any public comments you post in the catalog will include your username. See more about privacy settings.

    What to do if the one-time link sent via email to you from the Library's website says it is invalid

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    To get your browser to remember your card number or username, you must set up autocomplete (sometimes called autofill) in your browser.

    This function is part of the browser you use to access the Internet, and the Library cannot set it for you.

    Each company provides instructions on how to set up autocomplete:

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    Overview

    When you complete some actions on our website, including:

    • registering your account the first time,
    • making an email address change, or
    • resetting your PIN,

    A link is sent to you to verify the action. Some people have let us know that they are seeing the following message after clicking a one-time link sent to them, even though they had not previously clicked on the link.

    "The link you clicked on is no longer valid. It has either been used, expired, or replaced with a new one."

    Cause

    Although you may be interacting with the link for the first time, one-time links can be invalidated by anti-phishing and other email security tools. This can take place on the email server before it reaches your inbox, or as a redirect immediately after you click the one-time link.

    There are a few platforms/software that are known to cause one-time links to be invalidated (depending on the configuration of the platform/software). These are:

    • Microsoft Exchange
    • Outlook 365
    • Proofpoint

    Other tools may also cause this issue. It's hard for us to know which ones may cause the issue, since these are not controlled or managed by the Library or the Library's website company.

    This issue is more likely to impact you if you gave us your work email when you got your library card.

    Solutions

    The following options may help, depending on the email security tool in use:

    • Copying the link from the email and pasting directly into a web browser.
    • Use another email address for your library account. You can come in to the library at any time to change your email address. Staff are happy to help with this. You can also update your email address in the Classic Catalog.
    • Add do-not-reply@bibliocommons.com in your email system to a safe senders list or to the address book. BiblioCommons is the website company that provides the Library with our website platform.
    • Contact the team managing your organization's email or IT services to see if they can help. 

    This doesn't just happen on the Library's website. It is a known issue across many online platforms and services that use one-time links in emails to users. Our website company, BiblioCommons, continues to monitor this to see if they can make any changes on their end that might help.

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  • Renewing

    Items that cannot be renewed

    Magazines, items with holds, and Lucky Day (formerly Express) items, can't be renewed.

    Auto-renewal

    The Library has auto-renewal. Four (4) days prior to your due date, the system will attempt to renew the item. If there is nothing blocking the renewal, such as a hold waiting list, the item will be renewed for you. The new due date will be three (3) weeks from the original due date.

    The system only makes one attempt to renew for you four days prior to the due date. It does not keep trying. If the holds are fulfilled by other copies in the next couple of days, your item will not be renewed. Rather, you will have to initiate the renewal yourself online or by calling Infoline at 520-791-4010.

    If successful, items will be renewed automatically up to four (4) times if no one is waiting for them. Each renewal is for three (3) weeks.

    Renewing items in your account online

    You can also renew items in your account. 

    • Log in to your account with your library card number in the upper right-hand corner.
    • Click on your username in the upper right-hand corner, then on Checked Out.
    • In the list of checked out items, Click Renew next to the item you want to renew.
    • Or, to renew multiple items, put a check mark in the box next to the title you want to renew.
    • Click on the activated Renew Selected button in the blue bar at the bottom of your screen.

    Click Renew selected to renew multiple itemsIf you're having trouble renewing, call Infoline at 520-791-4010.

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  • Library Cards

    We can move all of your Libby (powered by OverDrive) account information, including checkouts, holds, history and wish lists to your new library card number. 

    Please login to the Libby app with your new card number (or online at LibbyApp.com, opens a new window) before submitting your information. 

    Then visit our form page, opens a new window and follow the simple steps.

    Helpful links for this process:

    Our form is not for general help using our digital book services. Please call Infoline at 520-791-4010 or see our Digital Media Help page for general help.

    Only use this form if you received a replacement library card, and you use Libby (powered by OverDrive).

    Apply for a Library Card online

    Get a library card in person:

    Come in to any library with your photo I.D. If your I.D. doesn't have your current address, bring along a piece of mail or a legal document with your name and current address on it. 

    If you're under 18, it's best to come in with your parent or legal guardian. If that's not possible, we can give you a library card, but you will be limited on the number of items you can check out until your parent or guardian can come in with you.

    Once you have your card, learn what you can do with it!

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    You can get a card as long as you have a local address. We issue cards only to full-time or part-time Arizona residents.

    Apply for a library card online!

    If you want to come in to the Library to get a card, please bring in your photo I.D. and proof of that local address, and we'll issue you a card.

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    You can change your email, username, or PIN by logging into your account here on the website.

    • Log in in the upper right-hand corner
    • Click on your username to see the drop-down menu
    • Click on My Settings
    • Update your information

    To update other information, such as address or phone, call Infoline at 520-791-4010, email askalibrarian@pima.gov, or stop by a library with your library card, and we'll update it for you.

    If you don't have a card, you can apply for a library card online.

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    If your library card is lost or stolen, you can call or come in to get a replacement. It's best to do so immediately, so that no one else can check out on it.

    If you come in to the Library, bring your photo I.D., and we'll issue you a new card for free.

    To get help by phone, please call Infoline at 520-791-4010. Infoline is open Monday through Friday, 9 am–5 pm. 

    To get help by email, please send a picture of your photo I.D. to askalibrarian@pima.gov.

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    You can get a library card.

    With or without a library card, you can:

    • Use research and learning tools inside the library
    • Use public computers inside the library
    • Use the printer / fax machine / scanner inside the library

    You are not able to:

    • Use Interlibrary Loan services
    • Check out Culture Passes

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    Residents who live outside Pima County will have to renew their cards annually.

    To renew your card:

    • Come in to any Pima County Public Library location with your
      • library card,
      • a photo ID,
      • and if your photo ID doesn't have your current Arizona address, please bring a piece of mail or a bill has your name and AZ address on it

    Or, if you are unable to come in:

    • Contact us by calling Infoline, or submitting an Ask a Librarian form, to start the process.

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