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  • Library Cards, Borrowing and Fees
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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.

General loan periods are below.
Item borrowedLoan 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
Quick Pick DVD (no renewals) 2 days
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

Delivery Schedule of Notices
Notice TypeFormatDelivery Schedule
Hold pickup notice Email/text 6 a.m. next day
Hold pickup notice Phone call Same day (after 12 noon)
Almost overdue courtesy Email 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

 

Replacement Costs and Processing Fees 
Item typeReplacement CostProcessing 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.

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