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Membership and Borrowing

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Please see updates about our hours of operation, mandatory health and safety precautions, current in-library services, Online Library and Tech Help services.

Library Cards

A library card or e-access card is free if you live, work, go to school or own property in York Region or Bradford West Gwillimbury, or have a Bradford West Gwillimbury library card. Otherwise, our fee is $30 per year. With your library card you can reserve items and or visit the library to borrow books, magazines, DVDs, video games and other items in the catalogue. Your library card gives you access to the library's computers as well as the Online Library from anywhere including ebooks, audiobooks, films, movies, magazines, music and more. An e-access card is a membership card that allows use of our Online Library only. Guest passes are available at Customer Service for visitors to access the library's computers.

Getting a library card

Register online for a library card or e-access card or in person at the library. If applying online, your new card number will be emailed to you and the physical card will be mailed to the address you provide.

ID accepted

You need one piece of government-issued valid ID showing your name and current address, such as:

Ontario Driver's License
Ontario Photo ID Card

Otherwise, you need one piece of valid ID with your name, plus a document with your address. You must have one item from each list:

Proof of name includes:

Birth certificate
Passport
Social Insurance Number document
Student ID Card

Proof of address must be dated within the last 6 months and includes:

Utility or property tax bill
Mortgage or rental agreement
Financial or government benefits statement
Letter from a long term care facility or group home
Addressed letter from a recognized institution
Ontario Motor Vehicle Permit (not expired)
Report card (first page with address)

Renewing your card

Both full-access and e-access library cards are renewed every 2 calendar years with valid ID. Please visit the library with valid ID or renew your card online. All outstanding balances must be paid before a card can be renewed. If you have a balance, please call or visit the library to pay all outstanding charges. Not sure if you have fines? Check your account.

Lost or stolen card?

Please report lost or stolen cards immediately by contacting us by email, phone or coming in to the library in person. You are responsible for all items borrowed on your library card before reporting it. You can get a replacement card for $2.

Library cards for school trips or group visits

This service is temporarily on hold due to COVID-19.

How to borrow and reserve materials

You can log into your library account with your library card number and PIN. You can view the full library catalogue, manage your items and maintain a reading history to keep track of books you've read.

Borrowing periods

Most loans are for three weeks. Some high-demand items may be for a shorter period of time. You must bring your card every time you borrow an item at the library. Your library card also provides access to borrow, reserve and download digital materials. Visit the Online Library to learn more.

Reserving an item

You can place a hold online or reserve items in person or by phone. You will be notified by phone or e-mail when it is ready for pick up. Items must be picked up within one week of being notified. If you are going away, you can suspend your holds in the Online Library or by phone.

Renewing an item

Renew an item in person, by phone or renew an item online. You will need your library card number and 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to renew by phone or online. Some items cannot be renewed if the item has been placed on hold.

Returning

Return your items by 12 a.m. on the due date. There is a 24-hour return slot outside the library to return items after hours.

Returned items are quarantined for 5 days before they are checked in.

Overdue fines

NOTE: The library is currently not charging overdue fines.

Adult material

20 cents per day per item
$5 maximum per item
Borrowing privilege suspended at $10

Teen material

10 cents per day per item
$1 maximum per item
Borrowing privilege suspended at $10

Kid's material

5 cents per day per item
$1 maximum per item
No fines if cardholder is 12 years of age or younger
Borrowing privilege suspended at $10

Movies and video games

$1 per day per item
$10 maximum per item

Other special items

Fines are noted on special items, such as eReaders and laptop computers.

Exceptions

There are no fines for seniors 65 and older, except for inter-library loans, eReaders and laptop computers.

Other fees and replacement costs

When an item is five weeks overdue, we send a bill for the cost of the item plus a $5 non-refundable processing fee. If you return the item, you do not owe the replacement cost. If we must send your account to a collection agency, we add a $15 non-refundable fee.