Frequently Asked Questions

Whether or not you have had a PIN/password before, you can get a new one on the MARINet Request a New Password (PIN), opens a new window page. You will be emailed a link to reset your PIN/password. 

PIN/passwords can contain numbers and/or letters and must be from 4 to 30 characters long. 

You should avoid using common words or phrases and never include personal information. Some combinations, such as repeated characters or patterns, are not complex enough to be a password. 

Some Library services will refer to a PIN and others refer to a password. These are the same thing. 

Your library card number is the 14-digit number on the back of your library card, starting with "211110...". When entering your library card number, do not include spaces. e.g. 21111012345678.

If you have an account, but can't find your library card number, please contact us so that we can help.

Your library card gets you more than just books! Here are some of the things you can do with your library card:

• Check out books, DVDs, books on CD, and music CDs
• Check out eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines, and stream movies, TV and music
• Access online resources for learning and research, including homework help, opens a new window
• Use the library's public computers and internet
• Get free or discounted museum passes and free parking passes to local parks

Note: Access to eBooks and other online services may be limited based on your residence. Learn more.

Your Marin County Free Library card can be used at any public library in Marin, including our branches as well as other libraries in Marin. Together, our libraries make up a consortium called MARINet. 

Please note: Borrowing policies (including check-out periods and overdue fines) for items belonging to other libraries in Marin may differ from those of the Marin County Free Library.

If your library card is lost or stolen, please report it immediately by phone or in person at any branch.

You are responsible for any materials checked out on your card until the card is reported lost or stolen.

To get a replacement card, you will need to bring your photo I.D. to any branch.

Library cards automatically expire every 5 years, so that we can confirm we have your current address and phone number. If your card has expired, you may renew your card by contacting any branch.

For students in participating school districts, a Student MyCard account enables a student to use their student ID number to access library services. Learn more on the Student MyCard page.

Now available on the MARINet library app, the multi-account feature allows you to add multiple accounts, making it easy to manage individual accounts within the app – convenient for families or anyone supporting others using the library.

How to Add an Account

It is easy to add more than one account. This is done by adding cards from the My Library Cards screen.

1. On the Home Screen, tap on the library card icon.

2. From the My Library Cards screen, tap 'Add card.'

3. Enter the login credentials for the card you would like to add. Logging in requires:

• Library barcode (this is the 14-digit number on the library card) OR username.
• PIN (personal identification number).

4. Upon successful login, the library card will be added, but will default to an “inactive” state. If you would like to switch to this account immediately, then tap 'Use this card'.

The dot indicators correspond with the number of accounts that have been added. In the example below, there are two accounts. The active account is always in the first position.

Some additional notes:

• There is a maximum limit of 8 cards that can be added.
• When you log in with a new account from the login screen, that card is automatically added and will become the active account.
• Added accounts do not persist across multiple devices you might have the library app installed on. Accounts need to be added for each device separately.

How to Switch an Account

The active account can be switched from multiple places in the library app.

Switching accounts from My Library Cards

1. Tap on the library card icon on the top of the Home Page to access My Library Cards.  Swipe to the card that you’d like to activate. (The currently active account is always the first card in the collection of cards).

2. To activate a card, tap on the 'Use this card' button.

3. Alternatively, tap on the ellipsis on the card to be activated, then tap on the 'Use this card' button from the bottom sheet.

4. Upon successful activation, a success message will be presented, and the activated card will take the first position.

Additional notes:

• A library card is still scannable when in an “inactive” state, so switching the account is not necessary for the purposes of scanning.
• You can also switch accounts from the Settings screen. Tapping on ‘Manage cards' will take you to the My Library Cards screen.

Switching Accounts Using the Avatar

Tapping on the user avatar brings up the account switcher. The avatar is visible on the following screens:

• My Borrowing
• My Shelves
• Unregistering account
• Bib page

To switch accounts using the avatar:

1. Tap on the avatar located at the top right of the screen. 

2. The account switcher will display from the bottom of the screen. Select the account you’d like to activate. (The currently active account is the first one presented, and displays the ‘YOU' label.)

3. Upon successful activation, a success message will be presented. The avatar will be updated to the newly active account.

How to Remove an Account

Removing accounts from the library app is done from the My Library Cards screen.

1. On the Home Screen, tap on the library card icon. 

2. Swipe to the card that is to be removed.

3. Tap on the ellipsis, then tap on the 'Remove card' button. 

4. The user will be asked to confirm removing the card.

5. Tapping on 'Confirm' removes the card, and a success message is displayed.

Additional notes:

• The currently active account cannot be removed. To remove the card for the active account, activate a different card first.
• Logging out of the app does not remove cards. Cards are removed explicitly by following the steps above.  However, deleting the app does remove all the stored accounts. Upon reinstalling the app, cards will need to be added again.
• Unregistering an account removes the card from the app.

If a user does not want anyone adding or switching to their account, a user can change their PIN number. This will mean any other user attempting to switch to the account will need to remove and re-add the account with updated credentials.

Note: adding an account requires both the barcode (or username) and the PIN for the account. A user cannot add an account with only the barcode (or username).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing my phone's cache clear the credentials?
Yes, clearing the phone's cache, storage, or data will clear out the stored login credentials and cards will need to be added again.

Do individuals have the ability to opt-out of having multi accounts enabled in their app settings?
Currently, individuals do not have the option to opt out of multi-accounts.

If a user does not want anyone adding or switching to their account, a user can change their PIN number. This will mean any other user attempting to switch to the account will need to remove and re-add the account with updated credentials.

Note: adding an account requires both the barcode and the PIN for the account. A user cannot add an account with only the barcode.