Using Your Library Card

Visit the How to Get a Card section, if you do not yet have an OCPL library card. 

Where Can I Use My Card? 

Your OCPL card may be used at the Central Library in downtown Syracuse, at eight branch and two satellite libraries in Syracuse, and at 21 suburban libraries in Onondaga County.

Library Card Responsibilities:

  • You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your card.
  • Parents and guardians of minors are responsible for materials borrowed on their children’s cards.
  • Change of address or a lost or stolen card should be reported to the library immediately.
  • Materials borrowed on an unreported lost or stolen card remain the responsibility of the cardholder.

Borrowing Materials: 

  • Most materials are loaned for 3 weeks
  • Some special materials, like Interlibrary Loan, new DVDs, and holiday books, may have different loan periods.
  • Your receipt, issued when you borrow materials, indicates the return dates.
  • Due dates of  all items you currently have checked out can be viewed online with your library card number and PIN in the My Account section.
  • Hold notifications as well as Overdue notices can be emailed to you. Please visit or call your local library, or call the Central Library: 315-435-1900 to arrange this. 

Placing Holds: 

  • To place a hold:
    • Find the item in the OCPL catalog, and choose Place Hold from the right hand menu.
    • Enter your library card number and PIN when prompted.
    • Select the library you want as the pick-up location. Most holds can be shipped and picked-up at the OCPL location of your choice. 
    • Click Submit Request. You will be notified by email or by phone when your item has become available. 
  • Your 'home library' defaults to the library where you got your library card.
    • To change this, please visit the library you'd like to switch to, or call the Central Library: 315-435-1900. 
  • You may place holds on most items that are currently checked out to other patrons.
  • You may place holds on most items that are located at another library and immediately available.

Renewing Materials: 

Automated Renewal Line
Call our automated renewal line 315-435-1430 and use your library card number and PIN

In Person:
Contact the OCPL location you'd like to visit to determine if they are offering appointments for in person renewals.

Online:
Go toMyAccount in the OCPL Catalog. You will need your library card number and PIN .

Why Can't I Renew My Item? 

  • Items cannot be renewed if there is a request / hold placed on the item.
  • Additionally, there is a limit of two renewals on most library materials, after that, the system will not allow you to renew it again. 

Returning Materials:

  • Most library materials borrowed from one OCPL library may be returned to any other OCPL library in Onondaga County.
  • All Interlibrary Loan materials, some media, and equipment needs to be returned to the same library as pick-up.
    • Items with this requirement will be marked on the item. 

Fines & Fees:

Please see the Fines & Fees section of our website for full details. 

Confidentiality:

  • All user records are confidential.
  • Each user’s right to privacy and unrestricted access is reaffirmed by the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights and New York State Law, Article 45, Section 4509 on confidentiality.
  • Information on the status of any card is available upon request to the cardholder only.
  • Parents and legal guardians may request information about a child’s library records only if the child is present and consents to the release, or if the child is not present but provides dated written consent.