Los Angeles Library Card E-Resources

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There are many libraries in Los Angeles that are available to permanent or temporary residents of California.

With a library card, you can:

    • check out books, magazines, and DVDS
    • place holds and access your account online
    • access library databases from home
    • download audiobooks, books, and music
    • use the Library’s public computers
    • connect to Wi-Fi at all LA County Library locations

This tech doc will go over how to get a Library card at LA County Library, Santa Clarita Public Library, and Los Angeles Public Library as well as how to use them to access Kanopy.

Getting an LA County Library Card

  1. To get a library card, fill out an application and bring it to any LA County Library along with a valid ID.

**You can find the library application online at https://lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024_Library_Card_Application_EngSpanish.pdf and a list of library card ID requirements at https://lacountylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/idrequirement.pdf.

  1. When you get your library card, you will be given a PIN number. This PIN allows you to place holds and access your account online, use the library’s public computers, and access Wi-Fi.
  2. Library cards are valid for 3 years and can be renewed by calling or visiting a library. Replacement cards cost $3.00.
Getting an LA County Digital Library Card

The LA County Digital library card gives you immediate, unlimited, and free access to eBooks, audiobooks, movie and TV streaming, and music downloads. This digital card is available to residents of Los Angeles County, ages 18 and over. If you already have a regular full-access library card, you do not need to sign up for a Digital Library Card.

The application for a Digital Library Card can be found at https://catalog.lacountylibrary.org/custom/web/registration/index.html

Once you get the Digital card, you can read and listen to eBooks on your phone, Kindle, or computer using Libby, Hoopla, and BiblioBoard. 

More information on the LA County Digital Library can be found at https://lacountylibrary.org/digital-library/#

Santa Clarita Public Library

Any resident of California can register for a card free of charge at any of the three branches of the Santa Clarita Public Library. Out-of-state residents will be charged $3.00 for a card. 

Register in person with a valid Government ID or current school issued photo ID and verification of mailing address for a new Library card. Or register for a temporary card online which is valid for 30 days. More information can be found at https://www.santaclaritalibrary.com/borrowing/

The two closest branches to CalArts are:

The Valencia Branch – 23743 W Valencia Blvd, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

and Old Town Newhall Branch – 24500 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Los Angeles Public Library

To get a Los Angeles Public Library card:

The closest Los Angles Public Library branch to CalArts is in Sylmar, 14561 Polk St, Sylmar, CA 91342.

Los Angeles Public Library e-Cards

You can also get an e-Card by registering online. People who already have a regular library card do not need an e-Card.To apply fill out the form at https://www.lapl.org/about-lapl/contact-us/e-card/e-card-registration

** For more online learning resources provided by the LA County Library, visit: https://lacountylibrary.org/learn/

Kanopy

Kanopy is an online film streaming service. The LA Country Library and Los Angeles Public Library give you a set amount of tickets per month to watch films which reset on the 1st of the month.

You can also access Kanopy via your CalArts email.

**  In addition to accessing Kanopy on a web browser, Kanopy supports Android, iOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Samsung TV, and Telstra TV. Chromecast.

Go to https://www.kanopy.com/en/lacounty and click Add a Library Card and put in your library card number (digital or physical) and PIN

** For more Movie and TV streaming resources provided by the LA County Library, visit: https://lacountylibrary.org/movies-tv/

Online Learning

Through an LA County library card, you can access various learning tools and online classes such as LinkedIn Learning, Mango Languages, and Coursera. More information about this can be found at https://lacountylibrary.org/learn/

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