Get a Library card
Register for a Guelph Public Library card
Visit any Guelph Public Library location to get a permanent library card or register online, opens a new window to get a temporary library card (valid for 2 months only).
How to register for a temporary card online:
- Visit the registration page, opens a new window 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 an adult 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
How to get a children's card:
- Children under age 13 must be with their parent/guardian to get a card.
- Parents/guardian must show identification with their name and address.
- Parents/guardian are not required to have a Guelph Public Library card.
How to get a digital access card:
Digital access cards provide access to two physical items (books or DVDs) as well as full access to our digital library collection.
- Show identification with your name.
How to get an extended access card:
People with disabilities can request an extended access card for longer loan periods. Contact the library to apply.
If you do not 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 Cambridge Public library card, Wellington County Library card, Waterloo Public Library card, and Milton 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.
What you can do with your library card:
- Borrow library materials
- Place holds and create list in the public catalogue
- 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.
Library PIN
Library PINs are required to access your online account and the online resources. The default PIN 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, opens a new window online.
| Item Borrowed | Loan Period | Renewals |
| Audiobooks, Binoculars, Board Games, Books, Cognitive Care Kit, Compact Discs, Disc Golf Sets, DVD & Blu-Ray, Kill a watt power meter, Knitting needles, Launchpads, Magazines, Pedometer, Playaways, Puzzles, STEM Kits, Video Games |
2 weeks | 3 |
| Parks Pass | 1 week | 3 |
| Mobile hotspots, Quick Pick books | 1 week | 0 |
| Book Club Kit | 6 weeks | 3 |
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
Notices
Deliver Schedule of 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 |
| Second overdue notice | Email/phone/text | 7 days overdue |
| Third 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 +$15 |
Lost/damaged items
Items that are 21 days overdue are considered lost and will be charged to your library account.
Items returned in damaged condition are subject to a replacement cost and processing fee of $10.00. All damaged, lost and incomplete items are charged a $10 processing fee.
The library uses a collection agency to recover outstanding accounts exceeding $100.00 for more than 30 days. Library accounts that are sent to a collection agency are subject to an additional $15 charge.
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.