The short answer: if you live in San Diego County, you can get a San Diego County Library eCard online right now at sdcl.org/getacard. It works immediately for the free eLibrary: e-books and audiobooks in Libby, the New York Times, Rosetta Stone and more. To check out real books, bring a picture ID and proof of your address to any branch and they upgrade it to a Standard Card. Cards expire every four years.
Open today (Friday): Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar.
Setting this up for a parent? PJ, a local, does it in person in Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff and Encinitas: the eCard, the Libby app on their phone or tablet, the first book, and how to borrow the next one on their own. Text PJ
Get a library card
- Online, today (eCard): for San Diego County residents. It gives you the eLibrary right away. A parent or legal guardian fills out the application for a minor.
- In person (Standard Card): free for California residents and military. Bring a picture ID and proof of your current address; a minor comes with a parent or legal guardian. Not a California resident: a $5 one-time fee, physical items only.
- Your account: sign in at sdcl.bibliocommons.com to place holds, update your address or email, and set your PIN.
- Renewal of the card: "Library cards expire every four years so that we can update our records." An expired card is why Libby checkouts and holds stop working.
From San Diego County Library: Get a library card and FAQs. Read November 6, 2026.
Renew your books
- Automatic: eligible items renew on their own three days before they're due.
- Yourself: in your online account, by phone at (858) 514-4765, or at the desk; up to 10 items at a time.
- The limit: an item already renewed 10 times can't be renewed again.
Late? What happens with late books.
Free with the card
- Libby: e-books and audiobooks, "the latest bestsellers on your computer or portable device," plus more than 3,500 magazines.
- The New York Times: "full access to the online edition."
- San Diego Union-Tribune: the daily paper and its archive back to January 1, 2019.
- PressReader: newspapers and magazines from around the world in more than 60 languages.
- Rosetta Stone: more than 30 languages.
- LinkedIn Learning (business, creative and tech courses) and Morningstar (research on more than 30,000 stocks and funds).
The card also gets you a free California State Parks pass to check out.
Library hours: Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar
| Branch | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encinitas 540 Cornish Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024 (760) 753-7376 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | noon to 7 p.m. | noon to 7 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Cardiff-by-the-Sea 2081 Newcastle Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007 (760) 753-4027 | Closed | noon to 7 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed |
| Solana Beach 157 Stevens Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 755-1404 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | noon to 7 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed | Closed |
| Del Mar 1309 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014 (858) 755-1666 | Closed | noon to 7 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Closed |
Today is in bold. From San Diego County Library, Locations, read November 6, 2026; holiday hours can differ.
This week at the Encinitas Library (and Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar)
Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive:
- Fri Nov 6, 10:30 AM: ESL English Classes/Clases de Inglés
- Fri Nov 6, 2:30 PM: Living Room Conversations
- Sat Nov 7, 10:00 AM: SMART
- Mon Nov 9, 10:30 AM: Signing Storytime
- Tue Nov 10, 3:30 PM: Middle Grade Book Club
- Tue Nov 10, 5:30 PM: Encinitas Library Book Club
- Wed Nov 11, 5:30 PM: Let's Speak Spanish
- Thu Nov 12, 3:00 PM: Adult Studio Watercolors
- Fri Nov 13, 10:30 AM: ESL English Classes/Clases de Inglés
- Fri Nov 13, 3:00 PM: ESL English classes/ Clases de Ingles
Nearby branches:
- Fri Nov 6, 10:00 AM · Cardiff: Toddler Time
- Fri Nov 6, 10:30 AM · Del Mar: Family Play Time
- Fri Nov 6, 10:30 AM · Solana Beach: Dance Party
- Fri Nov 6, 12:00 PM · Solana Beach: BRIDGE
- Fri Nov 6, 2:30 PM · Solana Beach: Adult Mahjong
- Fri Nov 6, 3:30 PM · Cardiff: Art Club with Miss Wendy
- Fri Nov 6, 7:00 PM · Cardiff: Weekly AA group meeting
- Sat Nov 7, 11:00 AM · Del Mar: Creekside Critters: Turtles & Tortoises
- Sat Nov 7, 2:00 PM · Cardiff: Saturday Family Movie Matinee
- Mon Nov 9, 10:30 AM · Solana Beach: SPECIAL: Storytime with the San Diego Humane Society
- Mon Nov 9, 2:45 PM · Solana Beach: Tween Cross Stitch
- Tue Nov 10, 12:30 PM · Del Mar: Chair Yoga
- Tue Nov 10, 1:00 PM · Cardiff: Open Study
- Tue Nov 10, 1:00 PM · Del Mar: Dementia Friends Table
24 more at the nearby branches on the library's calendar.
From San Diego County Library, Events, read November 6, 2026. Events are free; some need a sign-up on the event page.
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Questions people ask
How do I get a San Diego County Library card online?
San Diego County residents can get an eCard online at sdcl.org/getacard and use the eLibrary (Libby, the New York Times, Rosetta Stone) right away. To borrow physical items, bring a picture ID and proof of address to any branch to upgrade it.
Does a San Diego County Library card expire?
Yes. Library cards expire every four years so the library can update its records; an expired card stops Libby checkouts and holds.
How do I renew San Diego County Library books?
Eligible items renew automatically three days before they're due. You can also renew online, by phone at (858) 514-4765, or in person, up to 10 items at a time; an item renewed 10 times can't be renewed again.
What are the Encinitas Library hours?
540 Cornish Drive, (760) 753-7376: Monday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday noon to 7 p.m., Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What's happening at the Encinitas Library this week?
At 540 Cornish Drive: Friday 10:30 AM, ESL English Classes/Clases de Inglés; Friday 2:30 PM, Living Room Conversations; Saturday 10:00 AM, SMART; Monday 10:30 AM, Signing Storytime. All free; see the San Diego County Library events calendar for sign-ups.
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