View or Pay Library Bills
Online Account Access
Access to your San Diego Public Library account is not limited to regular operating hours. You have 24 hour account access online from the library catalog, the PowerPac and SDPL To Go app.
Payments
You may also pay in person with cash or check (paid to the order of "City Treasurer") at any library location from opening hours to thirty minutes before closing time. For your convenience, the San Diego Public Library offers free online payments using Visa, Mastercard or Discover credit cards. Make sure to have your library card and password/PIN on hand. Please ask staff for assistance, if needed.
The San Diego Public Library gives no refunds for payments. To keep your full borrowing privileges, we encourage timely payment of library fees.
Online Payments
We offer free online payments on our website with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover credit card. Log in to the Online Payment portal using your library card and password/PIN.
There are no payment minimums. All line items are selected by default—you may choose which individual bills you would like to pay by checking or unchecking the box next to the line item. If you would like to make a partial payment, make sure the line item is checked and type in the amount you would like to pay in the box where the bill is displayed. The system will recalculate the totals automatically. A payment in excess of the displayed bill will be blocked by the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I use online payment, is my patron information and my credit card safe?
All transactions are secured with Transport Layer Security (TLS) security and at least 128-bit encryption. The Library provides this service to ensure that user's sensitive information is only used for its intended purpose. Your credit card information is not stored in the library's database and the information is encrypted before it is transmitted via a secure gateway connection. For more information, please see the City of San Diego's Privacy Notice.
Can I use PayPal to make my online payment?
No, the Library's payment system does not support payments via PayPal.
Is a service fee charged when paying bills online?
The San Diego Public Library does not charge a service fee to pay your bills online with a credit card.
Is there a minimum amount that can be paid online?
- Any amount can be paid.
- Partial amounts are accepted. In the space where the bill is displayed, check the box, then type in the amount you want to pay.
- Entering an amount greater than the bill will be blocked.
How do I get a receipt when I pay my bill online?
After the credit card information is processed, the system will show a receipt that can be printed. If you pay from a library computer, regular print fees will be charged. Catalog computers will not print receipts.
When will the payment be reflected on my Library account?
Once the Payment Receipt screen is displayed the library account has been updated.
Why do the bills I just paid still appear on my account screen?
You must "refresh" that screen. When you do, it will accurately reflect your payment.
What does this error message mean: "Please recheck your account number"?
This indicates the payment system could not access your library account. Either the Library card number entered was incorrect, or your account has been referred to the City Treasurer. Contact the Office of the City Treasurer (www.sandiego.gov/treasurer/payments) for instructions on paying your bill.
If your account has been referred to the City Treasurer/Collections, contact the Office of the City Treasurer for instructions on paying your bill.
What happens if I receive a message that the transaction was declined?
Your bills will remain on your account until paid.
I found the lost item that I paid for online. Can I now return the item and obtain a refund?
Lost items that have been billed and paid for become the property of the patron. The Library does not issue refunds for paid fees.