Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about your library card

Who can get a Maricopa County Library Card?

Any Maricopa County resident, business owner, or property owner. As of April 11, 2018, any resident of the Town of Queen Creek can get a Maricopa County Library Card without additional fee.

How do I get a Library Card?

To get a new library card, you must come into one of our libraries in person. You’ll need photo identification, and proof of Maricopa County or Town of Queen Creek residence, business ownership, or property ownership.

Upon registration, customers are issued a permanent borrower card. By accepting the card, the customer agrees to follow all Maricopa County Library District policies and regulations.

Does it cost anything?

Library cards are free for Maricopa County or Town of Queen Creek residents, business owners, and property owners.

Is there an age requirement for a library card?

Children under 18 years of age can get a library card if the parent or guardian and child are both present during the registration process and provide the required information. Students in grades 6-12 can get a student library card with a current school ID. Parents/guardians can authorize or restrict access to DVDs for the child at the time of registration.

What if I don’t live, own a business or any property in Maricopa County or the Town of Queen Creek?

Non-Residents may purchase a library card with full borrowing privileges for $25 (for six months) or $50 (for 12 months).

Why do non-residents have to pay for a library card?

Maricopa County Libraries are funded with taxpayer dollars. People who don’t live or own property in Maricopa County or the Town of Queen Creek do not pay those taxes and so there is a fee for them to access our services. Read more.

How do I renew my library card?

All library cards must be renewed every year. If your home/business/property address hasn’t changed when it’s time to renew, and you don’t own more than $10 in fines/fees, you can renew online at mcldaz.org/renew.

If you are a Maricopa County or Town of Queen Creek resident who has moved in the last year, you can receive a 30-day courtesy renewal online or by telephone but you will need to visit a library with proof of your new Maricopa County address to renew for the full year. Student cards can renewed using a current, valid student ID.

What should I do if I lose my card?

If your card has been lost or stolen, please notify the library immediately in a library or by calling 602-652-3000. Replacement cards cost $2.

Questions about checking out materials

Can I still check out materials from the library if I don’t have my card?

Yes, but you must show a picture ID card to access account information and/or check out materials.

Is there a limit to how many items I can check out at once?

Customers may check out up to 50 items of any type at a time.

What digital services can I access with my library card?

The Maricopa County Library District offers a wide variety of e-books, audiobooks, movies, and music. Visit our eMedia page for more information.

Can I do research?

Yes! You can use our databases, learn a new language, take online courses, research your family history (genealogy) and more! Visit our online resources page for more information.

How long can I keep checked out materials?

• DVDs/Blu-Ray Discs: 7 days
• 7 Day Express items: 7 days
• TV Shows: 14 days
• New Adult Books: 14 days
• All Other Materials: 21 days

Can I reserve materials?

When you get a library card, you will be able to access your online account. You can reserve most titles online, in the library, or over the phone. Requests are limited to 20 items per customer at a time. There is no fee for this service.

Where do I return materials?

You can return our materials to any MCLD Library. Book/media drops are located inside the libraries. Some libraries also provide drive-up and walk-up drops with 24 hours access.

How do I renew items online?

Login to your account. You may renew items if no one else has requested them, and if the renewal limit has not been reached.

Can I keep a history of the items I’ve checked out?

Yes. For privacy reasons, this feature is turned off by default. To turn on that feature, log in to your account. Click on the “Contact Information and Preferences” tab. Under preferences, check the box that says “Maintain Reading History.” You will be able to access your Reading History going forward.

If you have any problems accessing your account, call 602-652-3000 or contact us online.

Questions about library services

What services does the library offer for special needs customers?

Customers who require help locating, using, or interpreting library materials may call the Maricopa County District at 602-652-3000 during business hours to request assistance from Library staff. The library staff is pleased to assist in speeding checkouts or any other reasonable way to make your visit comfortable. Sign language interpretation is available upon advanced notice. The Library District also offers Books by Mail services.

Can I use the computers at the library?

Computers are available for customer use in all MCLD libraries. A library card is required for computer use. All computers have standard word processing and other common programs installed. There is a charge per page for printing: $0.25 per page for black & white, and $0.75 for color.

Do the libraries have Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is available to the public in all MCLD libraries. You do not need a library card to use the Wi-Fi.

Can I donate books to the MCLD libraries?

The Maricopa County Library District does not add donated items to our circulating collection. Items donated at the library go directly to any of several Friends of the Library groups. Friends groups then sell materials and help our libraries by sponsoring programs. Please check with your nearest library branch to see if they have aFriends group.

Questions about fines and fees

What are Maricopa County Library District fees and fines?

The Library District reviews returned materials and reserves the right to assess damage and determine the need to withdraw damaged materials from circulation. Customers responsible for damaging library materials must pay the cost of replacement, any overdue fines plus a $5 Processing Fee.

See our schedule of fines and fees here.

• Lost materials: Customer must pay the cost of replacement, any overdue fines plus a $5 Processing Fee. If material is found and returned within 30 days of payment, the District will refund the replacement cost of the materials only.
• Any account with fines/fees of $10 or more will lose borrowing and computer use privileges.
• Any account with fines/fees of $50 or more or more will be referred for collection. If referred to a collection agency a $15 fee will be applied to your account.
• A returned check fee of $25 will be assessed, plus any bank charges, and is payable before loan privileges will be extended.

What forms of payment does the library accept?

Libraries will accept credit/debit cards for payment if fines total $5 or more. For fines and fees totaling less than $5, libraries will accept cash or check.

Can I pay for fines & fees online?

Yes, visit Fines & Fees under My Account.

Questions about events

Can I attend library events and programs?

The Library District offers more than 5,000 programs each year, including story time for children, book discussion groups for Adults, and numerous programs on various topics for all ages. Programs are free but may require registration.

How do I sign up to receive information about events at my library?

The Library District can send you event emails, you can browse our calendar, or search our calendar online anytime!

What happens if an event I want to attend is full?

Let us know! We accommodate as many people as we possibly can for popular programs. Tell us if you can’t get in, and we will try to plan for a similar program as soon as possible.

Does the library offer programs at non-work hours?

Our libraries try to offer programs at many different times during the week. Libraries in all of our regions offer programming for children and adults on Saturdays and evenings. If you are unable to find a program to match your schedule, contact your library. We love to hear feedback on how we can improve our service to you.

I registered for an event, but now I can’t attend. Who do I notify?

Please call 602-652-3000 or contact us online.

I have an idea for a program. Who do I tell?

Please use our Contact Us form to share your idea. Library staff plan programming based on community feedback, so please let us know what you’d like to see.