The most valuable card in your wallet could be a library card.
As more residents look for ways to cut costs, find entertainment, and connect with their communities, public libraries are providing programs, services, and resources.
While libraries are best known for books, you may be surprised to learn that a library card provides access to streaming services, online learning, digital newspapers and magazines, career development tools, family programming, newcomer services, among other resources. These can often require separate paid subscriptions, which means that a library card provides significant value for Guelph residents.
In every town and city across Ontario, public libraries provide welcoming spaces where residents can learn, grow, connect, and explore. They play an important role in communities, offering services for everyone, regardless of age, income, or background. Whether starting a career, raising a family, learning a new language, launching a business or looking for fun activities, endless opportunities begin at the library.
As Canada celebrates Library Month in October, there’s no better time to sign up for a library card and discover everything your library has to offer. Don't forget to take your card to the next level by exploring our reciprocal borrowing partners, which allows you to unlock Library services in nearby communities too.
What you get with a library card
Public libraries provide significant value for residents through a growing collection of materials and resources:
Games and entertainment with the Library of Things
Looking for a puzzle, board game, disc golf kit, telescope, or video games? Before you buy, there’s a good chance it might already be available in our Library of Things.
Books, e-books, and audiobooks
Enjoy thousands of digital titles available to borrow anytime, anywhere through the Library’s digital collection. The Library also has an impressive set of recommended reads from our team in the Staff Picks section of our digital catalogue. If we don't have the books you're looking for, you can take advantage of our Inter-Library Loan service to borrow materials from other library systems.
Digital magazines and news
Keep up with breaking news stories with access to more than 8,400 magazines, newspapers and more trusted news sources from around the world with Press Reader.
Programs and events
From story times and literacy workshops to author talks with renowned writers and can’t=miss community festivals, public libraries host a wide range of activities that bring people of all ages together year-round.
Streaming services
Stream a large collection of movies, shows, music and more from the comfort of home or on the go through streaming services available with a library card like Kanopy.
Career and skills development
Access hundreds of workshops and courses to help build new skills, explore professional development opportunities and prepare for success at any stage of your career with access to tools like LinkedIn Learning.
Archives, genealogy, and local history
Get access to popular genealogy tools for free with Ancestry, Family Search, and MyHeritage. We've also got a collection of local history and programs to help you research your family history.
Makerspace
Book an appointment in our Makerspace, games room, and recording studio for anything from 3D printing, laser cutting, embroidery, cricut printing, playing video games, recording a podcast or music, digitizing photos or records, and more. We also have digital resources to use at home to flex your creativity with CreativeBug. LinkedIn Learning also offers thousands of expert-led courses, including Makerspace topics like laser cutting, 3D printing, and Inkscape.
Get a library card today
Looking to get a Library card? Visit guelphpl.ca/librarycard to learn what you need.
If you don't live in Guelph, you can get a free Reciprocal Borrowing membership if you have a library card at Cambridge Public Library, Wellington County Public Library, Waterloo Public Library, and Milton Public Library. Please show identification with your name and address along with your Library card from that system.
For more information
askus@guelphpl.ca
519-824-6220