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mySAPL User Guide

Checking Out Materials

  • You can check out materials, use a computer, and access our digital collection with your Library card.
  • You may have up to 50 physical items (books, audiobooks, magazines, etc.) checked out at any one time with the following item type maximums:
    • DVDs or Blu-rays - 10 per card
    • Express DVDs or Blu-Rays - 10 per card
    • Vinyl Records - 10 per card
    • Interlibrary Loans - 10 per card
  • You may also have 25 digital items checked out at any one time.
  • Forgot your card at home? You can use a photo ID or download our mySAPL app to access your Library card.
  • Renew your card every five years with a current photo ID and Bexar County proof of residence.

Holds

Is the item you want already checked out or not available at your Library location? You can request the item by placing a hold on it. When it’s available, we’ll send it to the Library location of your choice. You can hold up to 50 physical items plus 20 digital items. Holds can be placed over the phone, online, in person, or via the mySAPL app. We’ll contact you when your holds are ready.

Loan Periods, Renewing & Returning

You can check out Library items for three weeks. The only exception is Express Collection DVDs and Blu-rays, which can be checked out for seven days.

Books, audiobooks, DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, vinyl records, and magazines renew automatically for five additional loan periods with the following exceptions:

  • Express Collection
  • Items have been requested by someone else
  • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) items

If you would like to manage your renewals, visit mysapl.org, use the mySAPL app, or call any Library location. Please have your Library card account number handy.

All Library materials (except for vinyl records) may be returned to any Library book drop. We’ll email you courtesy notices along the way to remind you to renew or return your items. If items become overdue, a notice will be emailed after seven days.

Print, Copy, Fax & Scan Fees

Copy or Print - Black & White
8.5” x 11” |  8.5” x 14” |  11” x 17” $0.20 / side

Copy or Print - Color
8.5” x 11” |  8.5” x 14” $1.00 / side
11” x 17” $2.00 / side

No refunds are available for these services. Faxing is only available at Learn centers and Central Library and is at no charge. Scanning is available at all locations at no charge.

Express Collections

Express Collections are made up of popular books and media titles that are currently in high demand. They can be checked out just like other items, but can’t be placed on hold or renewed, so they’re more likely to be available when you want them. Books can be checked out for three weeks and DVDs and Blu-rays for seven days.

Lost or Damaged Items

Can’t find it? Lost items will be charged the replacement cost of the item, plus a $5.00 processing fee. Damaged items may be charged the replacement cost, plus a $5.00 processing fee. For information on providing an exact replacement for a lost or damaged item, please call or visit a Library location.

Materials & Fee Recovery Program

If your account reaches a balance of $60.00 or more with no payment activity in 60 days, Unique Management Services may contact you to request the return of the overdue items and payment of the balance owed. A service fee of $10.00 will be charged. San Antonio Public Library offers payment plans as an option.

If you owe $50.00 or more, you won’t be able to check out or renew physical items until you begin paying on your balance, but you can still check out digital items, such as eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, and streaming video.

Interlibrary Loan

The Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL) allows current San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) cardholders to request items not available in the SAPL collection. Requests are limited to print materials, audiobooks, informational films, and microfilm and are not renewable. Up to ten ILL items may be requested at one time, which count towards the 50-item hold limit. Fees may be charged depending on the policy of the library that owns the item.

Other Services

Library by Mail If you are unable to visit a Library due to a disability, you may be eligible for home delivery of Library items. Call 210.207.2500 for more information.
TexShare SAPL is a participating member of the TexShare Card Program, which offers borrowing privileges at almost 500 participating Texas libraries.
Outside Bexar County If you live outside of Bexar County, SAPL Library cards are available for a fee.
Enhanced Library Card If you need a Library card with your photograph, ask a staff member, call, or visit our website for current participating Library locations.

Don't Forget!

Don’t forget that you can register to vote at any Library location!