Library Card Policies

Library Cards:

  • New and replacement library cards are free.
  • Solano and Napa County cards are valid in Benicia; Benicia cards are valid in Solano and Napa County Libraries.

Application Requirements:

  • Eligible for a card at age 4.
  • Adults and children 15 and older need a picture identification with name and verification of current address.
  • Parent or guardian’s approval/signature required for children under 15.

Your Responsibilities:

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

E-Cards:

  • With your e-card, you have 24/7 access to the Solano, Napa, and Partners (SNAP) Consortium's virtual services. The e-card allows residents of Solano and Napa counties to log-in and use our electronic resources and place holds from home without first coming to a library to get a card.
  • Complete the online application.
  • If you already hold a library card from any one of the SNAP libraries, you do not need to apply for an e-card.
  • For more information about the SNAP e-card click here.

Loans and Renewals

  • Most materials are loaned for 21 days. DVDs from the Browse Collection are loaned for 1 week only. Books from the Browse Collection are loaned for 14 days. Museum Passes are loaned for 7 days. Some materials from outside our system may have restricted due dates.
  • Materials may be renewed 2 times if not requested by another patron, except for these items, Browse Collection DVDs, Browse Collection books and Museum Passes which can't be renewed.
  • For phone renewal, call 746-4343 during the Library's open hours.
  • For Internet renewal go to the Library's website:  www.BeniciaLibrary.org and click on the "Accounts" link at the top of any of the Benicia Library web pages.  You will need your library card number, your last name and last four digits of your phone number to access your account.
  • A maximum of 50 items may be charged to one person.
  • You may return books from other SNAP libraries to us and ours to other SNAP libraries.
  • You can use the online computer catalog to view your personal library record by following the directions on the screen both in the Library and at home.

Fines and Fees

Overdue charges:

  • Adult materials: $.20 per day per item.
  • Children’s materials: $.10 per day per item.
  • Hold Expired Fee:  $1 per hold item if patron fails to check it out within 7 day window or if patron fails to cancel items ordered. Cancellations can be made by phone (707.746-4343), via email: library@ci.benicia.ca.us, in person, or via instant message (IM) at the Library's homepage & using the "Ask the Librarian" dialog box.
  • Museum passes are $5.00 a day.
  • Items not returned within 7 days after the due date will be converted to "lost" and an overdue notice is mailed from SNAP headquarters.
  • Patrons with fines of $10.00 or more with lost books will not be allowed to check out more materials until overdue materials are returned and/or fines paid.
  • Lost items will be billed to the patron for the price of the item plus a $10.00 processing fee. Processing fees are non-refundable.
  • Damaged items will be billed according to the extent of the damage.

updated 7/27/10