FAQs

Use the "Place Hold" button in the online catalog or ask a librarian to place one for you.

If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we’ll borrow it from another system through Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

Requesting an ILL works best through the Library Catalog Advanced Search—watch the video below to learn how. Once you place your hold, we’ll notify you when your items are ready to be picked up at the branch you specify (generally within 1–8 weeks). When you come to collect your ILLs, please notify a staff member and they’ll let you know the due date.

Any County Library cardholder is eligible to request up to three ILLs, as long as your account is in good standing with less than $10 in fines and has fewer than 15 ILLs currently checked out.

1. Search for your item in The County Library Catalog
   1. If no matches were found in the library catalog? Click the link "Click here to see x result(s) found in other library catalogs." Skip to step 2.
   2. If you found items, but the Library does not have your item? Choose the link “Borrow From Another Library (Interlibrary Loan)”
      1. Check the "Borrow From Another Library (Interlibrary Loan)" box
      2. Choose "Continue"
      3. When done retrieving results, click "Add Pending Results"
   3. When you find the title you want, place a hold
   4. The item will appear in your holds list in your library account

For questions about or assistance requesting through Interlibrary Loan, contact Customer Service at 801.943.4636.

Preregister for a library card or stop at the customer service desk in any County Library location.

You can just visit any branch with your current photo ID and ask for a replacement card—the cost is $1. If you’ve lost your card and need assistance renewing items please call Customer Service at 801.943.4636.

We now have available reading history and you can opt in or out.

To opt in to the reading history service, log into the Online Catalog, click on Contact Information and Preferences. Go to the bottom of the page and click on Maintain Reading History. Previously checked out items will not appear but anything checked out in the future will.

Visit the My Account page of the online catalog to view and edit your holds. You’ll need your library card number and a PIN.

The checkout interval for books is three weeks. You can also renew the book up to three times unless the item is on hold by another patron.

DVDs can be checked out for 7 days maximum. You can also renew DVDs up to three times unless the item is on hold by another patron.

CDs can be checked out for three weeks, just like books and can be renewed up to three times unless the item is on hold by another patron.

You can pay your fine online! Visit " My Account" > Pay Online. Patrons can also call Customer Service Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, 801.943.4636 to make payments. You can also stop by your local library and pay your fine at the customer service desk. View our privacy policy.

Customers who receive phone notifications from Salt Lake County Library will continue to receive those notices, but incoming calls for account status are available through text messaging.

Customers who receive phone notices from us are eligible to use text commands from a text-enabled phone to check the status of their library account.

This is an optional service. If a phone notice customer does not wish to use text commands, they can contact Customer Service at 801.943.4636 to check their account status.

Download Instructions

Your card number is on the back of your library card. If you can't find your card, you'll need to come in with photo ID to get your library card number—Or you can ask for a replacement card with a new number.

The default library card PIN is the last four digits of your phone number. If this doesn’t work, you can reset your PIN online or at a branch.

Use our Programs and Events Map to search for an event near you or the Event Calendar for an event for you or your family.

What digital collections does the County Library have?

Our digital library includes eBooks (Libby), eAudiobooks (Libby), eMagazines (Flipster), streaming videos (hoopla), streaming music (hoopla), and eNewspapers.

What do I need to borrow digital materials from the library?

All you need is a valid library card and a computer or device with Internet access.

How many digital items can I check out?

Limits on how many items can be checked out with a library card vary based on the platform and item. Please refer to the following table to see the checkout limits for each individual platform.

How do I get eBooks on my device?

We recommend using the Libby app on most devices, except for desktop or laptop computers. Follow our Quick Start Guide to get started.

I can’t place any more holds in Libby. Is there a way to keep track of titles I want to check out?

Consider using tags to keep track of items you wish to check out. You can use the already existing Wishlist tag, or create your own tags (example: Audiobooks to read, books to read, etc.).

Why are some titles available in Libby but others aren’t?

Authors work with publishers to distribute their titles and publishers contract with digital services (Amazon, Apple, Libby) to provide access to eBooks and eAudiobooks. Publisher contracts determine where a title will be made available for purchase. Each title is contracted separately, so some titles may be available for the Library to add to the collection while others are not, even in the same series. In some cases older titles may not have been renegotiated to include digital services or an author/publisher will choose to limit where a title will become available. This is sometimes done for a period of time or permanently. The County Library, and Libby, have no control over what titles will become available or when.

I am having difficulty with downloading/listening/reading my item in Libby. What do I do?

Check out our Libby Quick Start Guide, or try searching the Libby Help page: https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/index.htm. If that doesn’t work, contact Libby support: https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/categories/need-more-help.htm.

Why aren’t eBooks and eAudiobooks always available if they are digital?

Publishers control the rights to digital materials so the Library can purchase digital materials with different rights. Most items are only sold as “one copy/one user” from the publisher, which means each copy checks out similar to a physical book. Only one person can have one copy at a time, and patrons must wait in holds queues, just as they would for physical books.

Why doesn’t the County Library buy more digital copies?

The price of digital materials is set by the publisher, and digital eBooks and eAudiobooks can cost two to three times the price of a physical equivalent. The average cost of a bestseller eBook is around $60 per copy, and the eAudiobook is even higher. The County Library works to manage all materials and formats to keep wait times to a minimum.

What is Sora?

Sora is a student-focused app by OverDrive designed to work with the student’s school and the County Library.

Why can’t I find a title I want to read in Sora?

The availability of titles from the County Library will depend on each school’s guidelines. Please contact your school for parameters and content. To see all of the Library’s children and teen titles, use the Libby app.

Can I read the Salt Lake Tribune at home online?

The Salt Lake Tribune is available to public libraries, however, it can only be accessed while at a library branch. There is not a limit to articles accessed while at a County Library branch, but this access does not include the e-Edition.

Where can I see what digital newspapers the County Library carries?

The County Library has several ways to access newspapers online.

What can I access on TumbleBooks?

TumbleBooks are picture books with added animation, sound, music, and narration to make an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you. TumbleBooks also includes graphic novels, read-along chapter books, nonfiction books, videos, and games—all with no wait times or checkout limits.

What is TumbleMath?

TumbleMath is a collection of math picture books that help teach math concepts using stories and literature. The books are also accompanied by supplementary materials such as lesson plans and quizzes to engage learning.

Why can’t I check out eBooks or eMagazines on hoopla?

The County Library offers those collections on other platforms, including Flipster (eMagazines), and Libby (eBooks & eAudiobooks).

Why do I get a “Limit Reached” notice when I try to check out materials through hoopla? I’ve never even used the service before.

As a library system we have limits on hoopla based on budgetary constraints. When checkout costs collectively reach our daily limit, anyone trying to use the service will get a “limit reached” notice. Budgets reset daily at midnight.

What are BingePass and Bonus Borrows?

A BingePass provides access to entire collections of streaming content with just one borrow. For example: Hallmark+ and The Great Courses. A Bonus Borrow lets patrons access a curated selection of titles for the last seven (7) days of each month without using their library borrows.

Why was a video once available on hoopla, but now isn’t?

Video licensing is complicated and videos are licensed for a specific time period. If another streaming platform or television channel has licensed a particular video for a time period, that title may not be available on hoopla while that licensing agreement is in place. Movies and TV available for checkout on hoopla change regularly.

Why don’t you have all magazine titles?

The County Library selects a vendor with a large collection of the most popular magazines available for a reasonable price. These contracts are revisited yearly.

Can I download magazines for offline viewing?

Yes. Check out our Quick Start Guide to find out more.

Do you have older titles?

The County Library only has issues as far back as our service start date.

Individuals interested in becoming a Library Board member must complete an application and selection process.

3D printers are available for use, there is $.06/gram charge for filament, at most County Library locations.

Intro to 3D printing may be available, stop by one of the County Library locations or visit our online calendar.

For more information or to request a 3D print completed by staff, please see our request form.

Student Cards are available for students, ages 0-17. Getting a Student Library Card is easy: students just need to provide a name, address, and date of birth. A phone number is highly recommended as well, but not required.

With a Student Card, young library users can:

• Check out up to three (3) items (maximum) without accruing fines or fees.
• Use public computers
• Access online homework help and other resources.
• Download eBooks, music, movies, shows and other online content.

Due to the fact that library users are only allowed one County Library Card, many young library users are now using the Student Card instead of the Juvenile Card.

NOTE: If an item is overdue for more than 21 days, no new items can be checked out until the item is returned. R-rated DVDs and CDs with explicit song lyrics may not be checked out.

For more information about the Student Card, stop by your County Library or give Customer Service a call: 801.943.4636

The County Library, in partnership with Salt Lake Astronomical Society, offers a telescope lending program that gives you the opportunity to “check out” the stars. Telescopes are available at all County Library locations.

“Scope" out the details:

• Up to seven (7)-day checkout. Only 1 telescope per card.
• To place a hold, please call Customer Service or visit your local branch.
• Holds must be retrieved within 6 days.
• Must be returned to the branch where it was checked out.
• No self-checkout.
• Damages/replacement fees may apply.

Important Tips:

• Do NOT look at the sun.
• Follow the safety rules.
• Enjoy this STEM experience!

The Community Exploration Card is a partnership with the County Library, the City Library, and the following cultural centers in Salt Lake County:

Clark Planetarium’s Hansen Dome Theater (IMAX not included)
The Leonardo
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Natural History Museum of Utah
Tracey Aviary
Red Butte Garden
This unique program gives County Library card holders the opportunity to experience each of the above cultural centers, via free general admission (admits up to four people to each cultural center)*, during the month/year detailed on the card.

For a chance to participate in the program, visit any of our County Library branches and submit an entry form into the Community Exploration Card box. On the last day of each month, each branch will draw two entry forms from the box. The winning entry recipient will have six days to retrieve the Community Exploration Card from the respective branch. Cards that are not retrieved within six days may be given away as a prize at a County Library program, per the discretion of the branch manager.

Please Note: The Community Exploration Card is valid for general admission only (*admission to the Clark Planetarium is always free – the Community Exploration Card grants the recipient four free tickets to the Hansen Dome Theater) . The Card cannot be used for admission to special events or exhibits. To provide equitable access for everyone, cards are limited to one per customer in a 12-month period.

WEeLearn tablets are pre-loaded with games and apps designed to help children learn numbers, improve concentration and motor skills, think creatively, and develop early literacy and language skills. There are four different pre-loaded tablets available: Animal Talk!, Go Bananas!, Letters, Letters, Everywhere!, and Sí, Yes! Sí!

WEeLearn tablets are available at the following County Library locations:

All branches, subject to availability.

WEeLearn Checkout Basics:

• 7-day checkout.
• Hold requests and pick-ups available at participating locations only.
• Tablet must be returned to the library where it was checked out.
• Only adults may checkout.
• Only one tablet may be checked out at a time.

Remember, we learn better when WEeLearn together!

Kids Café is a Utah Food Bank nutrition program offered at several County Library locations. In Utah, one in five children are unsure where his or her next meal will come from. Through this program, youths in their communities receive a meal each day, Monday through Friday and Saturday at some locations.

As a result of Kids Café, thousands of Salt Lake County children and teens have an opportunity to eat. Many of the youths who spend hours at the County Library are doing so hungry, knowing that the hunger will not subside when they finally return home. Thanks to Kids Café they can have a full stomach and are better able to learn and behave appropriately. In addition, County Library team members are able to connect children and their parents to other services and to make a positive difference in their lives.

Find participating branches and Kids Café hours.

To learn more about Kids Café, visit Utah Food Bank.

See the Library's Material Selection Policy.

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. You can use a free program like Adobe Reader to read our PDF files.

Use our public meeting space system.

Individuals interested in becoming a Library presenter must complete an application and selection process.

Please recycle your fluorescent and CFL bulbs at the Salt Lake Valley Landfill household hazardous waste (HHW) facility at 6030 West California Avenue (1300 South) in Salt Lake City.

HHW disposal is FREE to residents of Salt Lake County (there is a fee for business disposal) and includes not just light bulbs, but also electronics (including rechargeable batteries), paint, automotive batteries and fluids, pesticides, fuels, and aerosols.

Salt Lake County Library branches no longer accept fluorescent and CFL light bulbs for proper disposal.

Additional information about proper disposal of various household hazardous wastes can be found on the Salt Lake County website.

To request a copy of a magazine article not owned by The County Library or to borrow microforms from another library system please fill out this form.

NOTE: The County Library does not own microfilm readers. Customers will be responsible for locating a way to use the borrowed microform. Suggested locations that may have microfilm readers are university or genealogy libraries.

In our catalog, click on "Write a Review" anywhere it appears.

To make a purchase suggestion use our Suggest a Purchase form.

To borrow materials published more than 12 months ago, place a request to “ Borrow From Another Library” in the library catalog.

For more information see Instructions to Borrow From Another Library.

The Library's Viridian Event Center is a modern, full-service venue for public use at very nominal rates. View Event Center details.

The public may also reserve and use study and meeting rooms in our County Library locations. View public meeting space details.

Receptions, corporate events, concerts, festivals, theater performances and galas are just a sample of what can be done. Browse Viridian upcoming events

The County Library offers 20+ meeting rooms throughout our system to library card holders to host meetings that are open to the public and not for commercial purposes (see the meeting room reservation details and policy.) The Viridian is a full-service event center open to all types of groups, functions, events, private and public, commercial or not. We provide a space with resources to make planning and hosting an event a snap, from top of the line audio/visual equipment to an experienced event staff to help with the details. The rental rates are competitive and support the library in providing a valuable resource to the community. Visit the Viridian Event Center.

Print virtually any document or web page from your internet connected device to a designated printer in any one of our County Library locations. Select the location where you will pick up your print job. It will be available for 24 hours from the time it was received. All printing is 10 cents per page. Printing is done wirelessly; additional software is not required.

Print Now

Monetary donations can be made at the checkout desk at any County Library branch. If you need a receipt or acknowledgement of the donation, you will need to complete a donation form at the branch. For donations of more than $5,000 or bequests, please contact Customer Service at 801.943.4636.

Many of the County Library branches accept new and good-condition used books, DVDs, CDs, and similar materials held by the Library. We do not accept textbooks, audio cassettes, videocassettes, or LP records.

Due to limited space, please contact your local branch before dropping off materials. You can call the library at 801.943.4636 for donation locations and questions.

Once donated, items become the property of the County Library and are reviewed for possible inclusion in its collections. Unneeded materials may be sold (with proceeds going to the County Library), given away, recycled, or discarded. Donated items will not be returned to the donor, and the library will only accept items that are outright gifts. The Library reserves the right to decide when a gift is added to the collection or withdrawn. (See Salt Lake County Policy on Gifts)

For a receipt or acknowledgment of your donation, please ask the staff person who receives your gift for a donation form. Donation forms include only a count of items received by category (e.g., hardback, paperback, etc.). The Library does not provide inventories of items donated.

If the items are being donated to obtain a tax benefit, it is your responsibility to establish fair market value or obtain expert assistance in establishing any value. The Library is unable to provide appraisals, fair market values, or inventories of the items donated. You may wish to make a list of items donated for personal or tax purposes.

If you have additional questions please contact Customer Service at 801.943.4636.

Thank you for your support of the County Library!