How do I get a Library card?
How many items may I checkout?
How long can I borrow Library materials?
Where do I return Library materials?
How do I renew materials by telephone?
What if I return Library materials late?
What if I lose Library materials?
Other fees?

How do I get a library card? A Cerritos library card is available without charge to anyone who lives or owns property within the City of Cerritos. Citizens who attend school in Cerritos, work in Cerritos, work for the ABC School District or are an employee or student at Cerritos College or attend any ABC Unified School District school also qualify for a free library card. Those who do not qualify for a free library card may purchase a card for $100 a year. To obtain or renew a Cerritos library card, the following information is required:

Valid California Driver's License with Current Address OR
Valid California I.D. Card with Current Address AND
Proof of age for minors.

The proof of age may be in the form of a certified copy of a birth record or a statement by the local registrar or a county recorder certifying the date of birth, or a baptism certificate duly attested, or a passport, or, when none of the foregoing is obtainable, an affidavit of the parent, guardian, or custodian of the minor. In addition, one of the following forms of identification is required:

Utility Bill (postmarked within 60 days)
Rent Receipt, Escrow Papers or Property Tax Bill (postmarked within 60 days)
Credit Card statement or Bank statement (postmarked within 60 days)

PATRONS UNDER 18: Registration requires a photocopy of parent's or guardian's California Driver's License and a copy of a current utility bill. Please note:

Library cards are not transferable, this includes family members.
Patrons are responsible for material checked out on their library card.
A Non-Resident owning property in Cerritos may obtain a library card with no fee; if listed on the deed.
A patron must show the required forms of identification when renewing their library card.
Non-residents qualifying for a free Library card must present proof of employment or a student I.D.
Items of identification must have your name and must show the same address.
The Library cannot accept a mailing address or P.O. Box as proof of residency.

A complete list of Library Card and Checkout Policies is available at the Registration Desk in the Library. It contains all information regarding special library cards for non-residents, students, property owners and guests. A Cerritos Library registration form can be filled out on-line, and the application process can be completed at the Registration Desk on Main Street in the Library.

How many items may I checkout? Library card holders may borrow a total of 15 items at one time. These items can be any combination of book and non-book materials. There is a limit of four books on any one subject; four compact discs; four encyclopedias, four videos, four DVDs; four books on tapes; four Children's holiday books; and four CD-ROMs. There is no grace period. Users may renew items for an additional three weeks if the items are not on hold for another patron. Videos and DVDs may be renewed for an additional seven days if they are not on hold for another patron.

How long may I borrow Library materials? Books, Compact Discs, CD-ROMs, and Books-on-Tape - Three Weeks. Videos, DVDs - One Week.

Where do I return Library materials? Library materials may be returned in the Library. Outside bookdrops are located in the Civic Center Parking Lot, at Liberty Park, and Cerritos Park East. If you wish to check out materials the same day, books should be returned in the Library, not the outside bookdrops. Audio-visual materials may be returned in any outside bookdrops.

How do I renew materials by telephone? Items checked out from the Cerritos Library may be renewed once by telephone. Simply call the Library at (562) 916-1340 during service hours and be prepared to provide your Library card number and the barcode numbers on the items you are renewing. Books, compact disks and CD Roms may be renewed for three weeks, and videos may be renewed for one week. Only one renewal per item is allowed. If an item has been reserved by another patron it may not be renewed. Please note that items cannot be renewed by telephone if a patron owes more than $5 in overdue material fees, or if the patron' library card is expired.

What if I return Library materials late? The fines for returning Library materials late are as follows:

Books, Compact Discs, and CD-ROMs - 15 cents/day/$10 maximum.
Videos, DVDs - $2/day/$10 maximum.
All other items 15 cents/day.
Fines must be less than $5 in order to checkout material.
Fines are calculated on a daily basis including the day of return.
No fines will be charged on lost or damaged material.
Please call the Library, if an item you checked out has prior damage, so we can note your account.

What if I lose Library materials? Charges for lost materials are based upon the cost of the item plus a $5 processing fee.

Other fees? Library Card Replacement for Lost, Stolen, or Damaged card - $5 per card. Please contact the Library immediately if you lose your library card.

Inter-Library Loans for Non-Residents - Non-refundable fee - $ 3.00.
Failure to pick up Inter-Library Loans, or cancellation of loan request - $3.00.
Failure to pick up holds, or cancellation of hold request - $0.50.