Renew & Reserve

Renew Items

Most materials may be renewed up to five times from the Santa Barbara Public Library, or from another Black Gold Cooperative Library System member library.

To renew Online via the Library catalog:

• Log in to your account
• Enter your Library card barcode number and your last name or password
• Select  “Items Out" in left column
• Select “Renew All " or select the items you wish to renew and choose "Renew Selected Items"
• Confirm your renewal by returning to your “Items Out” list and verifying new due dates

To renew by telephone:

• Call toll-free 1-800-354-9660 from within the 805 area code. If you are calling from outside of the 805 area code, dial 805-546-0499 (not a toll-free number)
• Please have your Library card barcode number available
• Please have the item barcode number available if you wish to renew only specific items

Items may NOT be renewed if:

• Someone else has placed a hold request on the item.
• Charges on the borrower account exceed $24.99.
• There are 25 or more overdue items on the account
• The item has already been renewed 5 times
• The item is 7 Day Express
• There is any balance due on a Lost/Replacement item.
• There is any balance due on the Collection Agency fee.

Renewals on circulating materials are for an additional 21 day period from the date of the renewal. 7 Day Express items are not renewable.

Auto Renew FAQs

This convenient service will automatically renew your eligible materials on the due date. Library items will be automatically renewed two (2) days before the due date as long as no holds have been placed on them by other library customers. Items may be renewed a maximum of five (5) times.

Why didn't my item auto-renew?

• It has holds from other library users.
• You have an item that is not eligible for renewal. Express items, ILL items, some rental items and some magazines are not eligible for renewal.
• You have already used all your renewals.

Will all my items be renewed?
Library items will be automatically renewed as long as no holds have been placed on them by other library customers.  Items may be renewed a maximum of five (5) times.  This includes automatic and manual renewals.

What items are eligible for auto to renew?
Items that are normally available for manual renewal through My Account are eligible for auto renewal.

What items cannot be auto-renewed?
Express items, *rental items, *magazines, items with a holds queue, digital items, and items that have reached their maximum number of renewals or are already overdue will not be auto-renewed.
  * May be renewed in some locations. Check with your library.

Will I receive a notification on what has been auto-renewed?
You will only be notified about what has been auto-renewed if you receive email notifications.  Change your preference for receiving library notices in My Account.

Will I be notified if an item can't be renewed?
If an item can't be renewed, you will be notified of its due date if you receive email notifications.  Change your preferences for receiving library notices in My Account.

Do I lose days on the auto-renewal?
No. The due date advances the appropriate amount based on the material type and the original due date. For example, if you have a book due on the 3rd, the system will send you an email two days in advance (on the 1st) letting you know that your item's due date has been extended to the 24th. 

Can I still renew manually?
Yes. In addition to having auto-renew in place, you will be able to renew online, by phone or in person as before.

Can I opt out of auto-renew?
No. Auto renew is a feature that is available to all Black Gold Library card holders without exception. 

Reserve Items

Reservations (holds) may be placed for most items that appear in the Black Gold Cooperative Library System's online catalog. A reservation can be used to hold an item for you when it is returned or to transfer an item from one branch library to another that is more convenient for you.

You may place reservations for items listed in the catalog in person at any Library, by calling your local branch, or through the Library Catalog, using your Library barcode number and your last name. You will be notified via telephone or e-mail (whichever you selected on your library account application) when an item is held for you. Items are held for 7 days. You may check the status of your requested item by accessing your account online.

You may have a maximum of 20 active, pending, or shipped hold requests on your card at a time.

Items not listed in the Black Gold Cooperative Library System Online Catalog may be obtained through the Library Interlibrary Borrowing service, with a fee of $15.00 per request.

For help placing a hold on a library item, please call the Central Library Reference desk at 805-962-7653.