Library Cards, Borrowing and Fees
Register for a Guelph Public Library Card
Visit any Guelph Public Library location to get a permanent library card or register online to get a temporary library card (valid for 2 months only).
How to register for a temporary card online:
- Visit the registration page on our online catalogue
- Fill out your personal information on the form
- Use the temporary barcode and PIN to access our Online Resources and to download eBooks and eAudiobooks online
How to get a permanent card:
- Show identification with your name and address. Acceptable identification includes:
- Driver’s License or Ontario Photo Card
- Health Card *
- Passport *
- Birth Certificate *
- Social Insurance Card *
- Credit Card *
- Utility bill or personal mail with current postmark (no more than two weeks old)
- Tax or lease receipt
- Rental agreement
- Report card or Student ID card
* A document showing your current address is also required.
- Guelph property owners should show proof of ownership
- Children under age 13 must be with their parent to get a card
What you can do with your library card:
- Borrow library materials
- Request materials from other library systems through our Interlibrary Loans Department
- Download eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies and music
- Search our Online Resources
- Register for programs
- Access library computers
By providing an email, you are agreeing to receive Guelph Public Library communications relating to your library account, library services and library program offerings.
If you do not live in Guelph
You can get a free Reciprocal Borrowing membership if you have a library card at Idea Exchange in Cambridge, Wellington County Public Library, and Waterloo Public Library. Please show identification with your name and address along with your Idea Exchange library card, Wellington County Library card, or Waterloo Public Library card.
If you live outside the reciprocal borrowing areas, then non-resident memberships cost $50 for six months or $100 for one year.
Lost or stolen cards
If you lose your card, contact the library immediately. You are responsible for items borrowed on your card before the library is notified of your card's loss. To get a new card, bring your identification to any library location.
Password (PIN)
The default password is the last 4 digits of your phone number. You can change the default password online to your own secure password by logging in to your account.
Borrowing
For specific due dates, you can check your account online.
| Item borrowed | Loan period |
|---|---|
| Audiobooks | 2 weeks |
| Binoculars | 2 weeks |
| Board Games | 2 weeks |
| Book Club Kit | 6 weeks |
| Books | 2 weeks |
| Cognitive Care Kit |
2 weeks |
| Compact discs | 2 weeks |
| Disc Golf Sets | 2 weeks |
| DVD & Blu-ray | 2 weeks |
| Kill a watt power meter | 2 weeks |
| Knitting needles | 2 weeks |
| Launchpads | 2 weeks |
| Magazines | 2 weeks |
| Mobile hotspots (no renewals) | 1 week |
| Parks Pass | 1 week |
| Pedometer | 2 weeks |
| Playaways | 2 weeks |
| Puzzles | 2 weeks |
| Quick Pick books (no renewals) | 1 week |
| STEM Kits | 2 weeks |
| Video Games | 2 weeks |
| View-Master® Virtual Reality Headset | 2 weeks |
Automatic Renewal of Library Materials
Any library materials borrowed go through an automatic renewal process two days before an item is due. Items will automatically renew for a maximum of 3 times. The following items will not be automatically renewed:
- Items that are on hold
- Quick Picks
- Quick Reads
- Interlibrary loan materials
Manual Renewal
Manually renew library materials:
- In person at any library location
- Phone 519-824-6220
- Email the Information Department
- Renew online. Log in with your library card number and password (default password is the last 4 digits of your library card number)
- Self-checkout stations are available at all library locations.
Notices
| Notice Type | Format | Delivery Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Hold pickup notice | Email/text | 6 a.m. next day |
| Hold pickup notice | Phone call | Same day (after 12 noon) |
| Almost overdue courtesy | 2 days before due (3 days between notices) | |
| Overdue notice | Email/phone/text | 1 day overdue |
| Overdue notice | Email/phone/text | 7 days overdue |
| Overdue notice | Email/phone/text | 14 days overdue |
| Replacement item | Email/phone/text | 21 days overdue |
| Referral to Collection Agency | Mailed letter | 30 days after fees exceed $100 |
| Item type | Replacement Cost | Processing Fee: All Collections |
|---|---|---|
| Audiobooks | varies | $10 |
| Binoculars | $200 | $10 |
| Book Club Kit | $200 | $10 |
| Books | varies | $10 |
| Cognitive Care Kit | varies | $10 |
| Compact Discs | varies | $10 |
| Disc Golf Sets | $20 | $10 |
| DVD & Blu-ray | varies | $10 |
| Kill a watt power meter | $25 | $10 |
| Knitting needles | $3 | $10 |
| Launchpads | varies | $10 |
| Magazines | varies | $10 |
| Mobile hotspots | $200 | $10 |
| Parks Pass | $140-$225 | $10 |
| Pedometer | $25 | $10 |
| Playaways | varies | $10 |
| Puzzles | varies | $10 |
| Quick Pick books (no renewals) | varies | $10 |
| Quick Pick DVD (no renewals) | varies | $10 |
| STEM Kits | varies | $10 |
| Video Games | varies | $10 |
| View-Master® Virtual Reality Headset | $25 | $10 |
Lost/Damaged Items
| Lost items |
| Items that are 21 days overdue are considered lost. The library will mail the cardholder a bill including the cost of the item and a processing fee. |
| Items returned incomplete or with missing parts |
| Any multi-part item returned incomplete is subject to replacement costs and processing fees on your account. |
| Damaged items |
|
Items returned in damaged condition are subject to a replacement cost and processing fee of $10.00. |
| Outstanding accounts and collection |
|
The library uses a collection agency to recover outstanding accounts exceeding $100.00 for more than 30 days. |
Contact(s)