Problems at a San Diego Public Library Branch

The San Diego Public Library is a City department. Its About page describes 36 branches plus the Central Library downtown, and its card page says one library card works at all 37 locations. Each branch, with its address and phone number, is on the Library Locations page; hours are in the library's hours sheet.

• At the branch. For most problems, the quickest route is the staff at the desk of the branch where it happened.
• By phone. The library's Services page lists 619-236-5800 for feedback and account questions, Monday and Tuesday 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• By text. 619-324-3988, according to the same page.
• Online. The library's comments form takes comments, suggestions and website problems. The About page also gives [email protected] for other questions.

As of November 7, 2026, we did not find a Get It Done report type for problems inside a library building, so contact the library directly.

The library's Fines and Fees page sets out what happens to an item that is not returned. In our own words, as of November 7, 2026:

• Overdue. An item is late the day after it is due. No daily late fine is listed for the library's own items; instead your card is blocked from new checkouts, though you can still use the library and renew other items. Email reminders go out at 7, 14 and 30 days.
• Lost at 60 days. The library treats the item as lost, mails a bill for its cost and bars the card. Bringing the item back within two months of that notice clears the bill. The library does not take a replacement copy instead of payment.
• 90 and 120 days. A final invoice at 90 days is due within 30 days. At 120 days an unpaid bill goes to the City Treasurer's Delinquent Accounts division, which adds a collection fee; the card stays barred until the Treasurer reports it paid.
• Damaged items. An item returned unusable or with missing pieces is billed at its cost and the card is barred. A final invoice follows after 30 days, and an unpaid final invoice goes to the Treasurer after another 30 days.
• Borrowed from other libraries. Interlibrary loan, LINK+ and Circuit items follow their lenders' fees. The page lists a flat charge for a lost or damaged LINK+ ($115) or Circuit ($140) item, and laptops and hotspots have their own replacement prices. The Lending page says Chromebooks, hotspots, park passes, interlibrary loans, LINK+ and Circuit items must be handed back to a staff member, not left in a book drop.

If you think you returned something that still shows on your account, or a bill looks wrong, raise it with branch staff or call 619-236-5800 early, before the 90 and 120 day steps.

The library's View or Pay Library Bills page says you can pay at any City library location with cash or a check to "City Treasurer," until 30 minutes before closing, or online by card with your library card number and PIN. It gives no refunds once you have paid. Its fee page says accounts with more than $1 owed or an overdue item cannot check out new items, and that unpaid bills of $10 or more that are over 60 days old go to collection.

Once a bill is with the City Treasurer, use the account details on the Treasurer's notice and its Delinquent Accounts page. That page explains that it does not take payments by phone and that 7% annual interest applies unless an agreement or court order says otherwise.

For a child's card, the library's Fresh Start program offers a one-time waiver of fines on juvenile accounts, subject to review and funding.

• Report it quickly. The Lending page says you remain responsible for anything checked out on your card, so tell the library as soon as possible.
• Replacement. $1 at any City library location, according to the Lending and Fines and Fees pages, with photo ID. A PIN can be reset online from the library's account login.
• Renewal. Card privileges have to be renewed with proof of your current address, and fines must be paid first. See the library card page for accepted ID.

The library's Rules of Conduct (updated July 2026) list what is not allowed in the library. They include smoking and vaping, weapons other than those of on-duty officers, harassing, intimidating or disturbing others or staff, leaving a child under 8 without supervision by someone 16 or older, and charging e-bikes or e-scooters inside. The rules say breaking them can lead to a person being required to leave, or to arrest and prosecution.

• Tell staff. Staff at the branch are the ones who apply the rules.
• Police. 911 for an emergency or a crime in progress; the San Diego Police non-emergency line, 619-531-2000, for a crime that is over.

Inside the building, tell branch staff first, then the library at 619-236-5800 or through the comments form if it is not fixed. Our public restrooms guide covers library restrooms in more detail. Damaged art at a library belongs to the City's Civic Art Collection; see our public art guide.

Outside, the usual City channels apply: graffiti, a broken sidewalk or a street light out next to a library are reported like anywhere else, mostly through Get It Done. Give the branch name so crews can find it.

• Library Accessibility Services. The Central Library's I CAN! Center serves people with disabilities, with assistive computers and adaptive technology; some branches have accessible workstations. For accommodations at library events, the page lists the Accessibility Services Librarian at 619-238-6665 and asks for advance notice.
• City ADA office. For an access barrier or a denied accommodation, the City's ADA Compliance and Accessibility division takes complaints online, at 619-236-5979 (TTY 711) or [email protected]. See also our accessibility barriers guide.