Visit any Guelph Public Library location or register online to get a library card.
How 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 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. 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. There is a replacement card cost of $2.00.
Password
The default password is the last 4 digits of your library card 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 | 3 weeks |
| Binoculars | 3 weeks |
| Board Games | 1 week |
| Book Club Kit | 6 weeks |
| Books | 3 weeks |
| Cognitive Care Kit |
3 weeks |
| Compact discs | 3 weeks |
| Disc Golf Sets | 1 week |
| DVD & Blu-ray | 1 week |
| Kill a watt power meter | 3 weeks |
| Knitting needles | 3 weeks |
| Launchpads | 1 week |
| Magazines | 1 week |
| Mobile hotspots (no renewals) | 1 week |
| Parks Pass | 1 week |
| Pedometer | 4 weeks |
| Playaways | 1 week |
| Puzzles | 1 week |
| Quick Pick books (no renewals) | 1 week |
| Quick Pick DVD (no renewals) | 2 days |
| STEM Kits | 1 week |
| Video Games | 1 week |
| View-Master® Virtual Reality Headset | 1 week |
Renew your library materials
Renew your items to avoid overdue fines!
You can renew items up to 3 times unless there is a request placed by another borrower.
How to renew:
- 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 at Main Library, West End, Westminster and Bullfrog Libraries
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 | 14 days overdue |
| Replacement item | Mailed letter | 45 days overdue |
| Fines notice | Mailed letter | 14 days after fines exceed $10 |
| Referral to Collection Agency | Mailed letter | 30 days after fines exceed $100 |
Overdue fines
Items returned late are subject to overdue fines. While fines exceed $10.00, borrowing privileges are suspended.
| Item Type | Adult Collection |
|---|---|
| Audiobooks | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Binoculars | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Book Club Kit | 2.00/day -- $10 max |
| Books | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Cognitive Care Kit | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Compact Discs | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Disc Golf Sets | 1.00/day -- $10 max |
| DVD & Blu-ray | 1.00/day -- $10 max |
| Kill a watt power meter | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Knitting needles | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Launchpads | 1.00/day -- $10 max |
| Magazines | 0.30/day -- $6 max |
| Mobile hotspots (no renewals) | 2.00/day -- $10 max |
| Parks Pass | 1.00/day -- $10 max |
| Pedometer | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Playaways | 0.30/day -- $9 max |
| Puzzles | 1.00/day -- $10 max |
| Quick Pick books (no renewals) | 0.60/day -- $9 max |
| Quick Pick DVD (no renewals) | 2.00/day - $10 max |
| STEM Kits | 1.00/day -- $10 max |
| Video Games | 1.00/day --$10 max |
| View-Master® Virtual Reality Headset | 1.00/day -- $10 max |
| Item Type | Children's Collection |
|---|---|
| Audiobooks | 0.15/day -- $5.00 max |
| Board Games | 0.15/day -- $5.00 max |
| Books | 0.15/day -- $5.00 max |
| Compact Discs | 0.15/day -- $5.00 max |
| DVD & Blu-ray | 1.00/day --$10 max |
| Magazines | 0.15/day -- $5.00 max |
| Playaways | 0.15/day -- $5.00 max |
| Video Games | 1.00/day -- $10 max |
Outstanding accounts and collection
The library uses a collection agency to recover outstanding accounts exceeding $100.00 for more than 30 days.
Lost items
Items that are 45 days overdue are considered lost. The library will mail the cardholder a bill including the cost of the item and a processing fee (which includes your overdue fines).
Adult Collection
| Item type | Replacement Cost | Processing fee Adult Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Audiobooks | varies | $12 |
| Binoculars | $200 | $12 |
| Book Club Kit | $200 | $15 |
| Books | varies | $12 |
| Cognitive Care Kit | varies | $12 |
| Compact Discs | varies | $12 |
| Disc Golf Sets | $20 | $5 |
| DVD & Blu-ray | varies | $15 |
| Kill a watt power meter | $25 | $12 |
| Knitting needles | $3 | $12 |
| Launchpads | varies | $12 |
| Magazines | varies | $6 |
| Mobile hotspots | $200 | $15 |
| Parks Pass | $140-$225 | $15 |
| Pedometer | $25 | $12 |
| Playaways | varies | $12 |
| Puzzles | varies | $12 |
| Quick Pick books (no renewals) | varies | $12 |
| Quick Pick DVD (no renewals) | varies | $15 |
| STEM Kits | varies | $12 |
| Video Games | varies | $15 |
| View-Master® Virtual Reality Headset | $25 | $12 |
Children's Collection
| Item type | Replacement Cost | Processing fee Children's Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Audiobooks | varies | $6 |
| Board Games | varies | $12 |
| Books | varies | $6 |
| Compact Discs | varies | $6 |
| DVD | varies | $15 |
| Magazines | varies | $5 |
| Mobile hotspots | $200 | $15 |
| Playaways | varies | $12 |
| Video Games | varies | $15 |
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 $5.00 (does not include overdue fines).
Lost or damaged CD or DVD case or library barcode are $1.00 each.
Contact(s)