Ask a Librarian

Fill out our online library card registration form from home, which will provide you with a full functioning account when you enter the required information and meet the required criteria. Please see the Online Library Card FAQ for more info. Come into the library within one month to pick up your card.

You can also come into the library to fill out the registration form.

You can check out 20 DVDs at a time from San Rafael for three weeks. They will automatically renew 2 times for three more weeks, unless a title has holds.

Yes, anyone who lives in California can get a San Rafael Library Card. However, access to our electronic resources is restricted to San Rafael and Marin County residents.

If you got an email from the library, reply to the email with your current information. If nothing has changed, say so. A staff person will update your card. You keep the same card. Or you can come in to any library and a staff person will update your card.

You can Request a new PIN and an email with a link to set a new PIN will be sent to the email address we have on file for you. If you have problems with this process, visit the library, and please remember to bring your library card.

Yes, unless someone is waiting for it. If you cannot renew your book online, please contact us.

Yes, you sure can, as long as you can provide some form of photo ID.

All our children's performers are vetted through the Performers Showcase. If you want to perform for children in the library we recommend that you participate in the Performer's Showcase.

Unfortunately, our small meeting room is only for library programs. We do not have a meeting space that you can reserve. You might want to try...

All items returned to the book drop between the close of business and opening on the following day will be checked in with the previous day's date. San Rafael Public Library has been fine-free since July 2021, so there will not be any overdue fees.

Yes! We have them for all Marin library card holders. All you need to do is go to the MARINet Discover and Go portal and enter your library card number and PIN.

Thanks for being willing to volunteer! Please fill out the City of San Rafael Volunteer Form and someone will be contacting you.

Generally children who are eight years or older can be left alone at the library as long as they adhere to library policies and can take care of themselves. Staff cannot be placed in the position of supervising unattended children. For more information please see our Child Safety Policy.

Yes, you can print from any of the library computers. You will need your library card to log on, or we can give you a temporary guest pass. Printing costs $0.10 per page for black and white, or $1.00 for color. We do not currently offer wireless printing.

You sure can! We are part of a county-wide library system called MARINet. Not only can you return your items to any of the member libraries, you can check out items from any of the member libraries.

There could be several reasons why you may be unable to renew online.

• The item may be on request for someone else.
• The item may have reached its maximum renewal limit.
• The item may be in the "Most Wanted" collection which does not allow renewals or holds.
• You may have a block on your account, for a variety of reasons, which will prevent you from renewing items: please call the library.

You can check out fifty items total.

The library does not accept replacements for lost or damaged materials of any type. If you have lost or damaged an item you will be charged a replacement fee to cover the processing of the item and the price of the item. 

Thanks for your input! We can't promise anything but we will certainly consider it. Please send us the information using this form (you will need to log in with your library card and PIN).

Yes. The library has free gigabit wifi available 24/7 at the Downtown and Pickleweed locations, with no password required.