Membership

The County of Brant Public Library is a library without borders. Any person, upon presentation of adequate identification, preferably photo identification, may be issued a free library card.

A student card is considered adequate identification for anyone in secondary school.

Library card membership lasts for two years. Online-only memberships are also available.

Get a library card

How to get a card

Sign up for a library card membership at all five branches in the County of Brant Public Library system (your card will work at all five locations). To sign up, you need a piece of ID with your current address, you will also need to fill out an application form in the library.

Library card membership lasts for two years. You will need to visit a branch to renew your account.

There is no charge to renew expired cards, but we always welcome donations. Donations of $10.00 or more will receive a tax receipt.

Online-only cards

This card allows you to immediately place holds through our catalogue and gives you access to online resources.

When you place holds on physical materials and arrive at your local branch to pick everything up, staff will complete the library registration process with you.* You will receive your physical card, welcome brochure, and more.

*Be sure to bring a piece of ID with your address on it.

Sign up for an online-only card.

Lost cards

Report a lost or stolen card immediately: call 519-442-2433.

Any items borrowed on your card are your responsibility until the card is reported missing.

It costs $2.00 to replace a lost card.

Borrowing rules

Children under the age of 16 must have their membership card signed by a parent or guardian.
Children living in multiple households are entitled to one card per household. A parent or guardian from each household is required to sign the respective membership cards.
The Library protects personal information about a borrower consistent with the Library's Policy LS 4: Access to Information and Protection of Privacy.
Signing the library card signifies the cardholder's acceptance of and adherence to rules and regulations of the County of Brant Public Library. Library cardholders are responsible for materials they have borrowed.
A valid Library card is required to borrow materials, participate in programs, and to access online resources.

Borrowing limits

How many can I have?

Borrow as much as you can carry (with a few exceptions):

5 Hoopla items per month
15 DVDs at a time
We may need to limit the number of items on a single subject or by a single author
Libby titles are unlimited

Borrowing periods

You may borrow:

Magazines: 1 week
DVDs and video games: 1 week
Gear, gadgets, and park passes: 2 weeks
Technology kits: 3 weeks
Interlibrary loans: Dependent on type of material - please ask library staff
Book club sets: 5 weeks
All other material: 3 weeks

Fines and charges

We have been fine free since January 1, 2020!

We don't charge overdue fees for our own materials.*

You will still have to pay for lost items. Items are considered lost if they are more than 3 weeks overdue. Please remember to renew your items.

*This does not apply to items from outside library systems (known as interlibrary loans).

Charges and fines for interlibrary loans

Overdue fines apply per open day:

Interlibrary loans: $1.00 per day
If you request an interlibrary loan but don't pick it up, you will be charged a $2.00 non-pickup fee.

Lost or damaged material

If we have to throw out an item because of damage, or if it is lost, you will be charged a $5.00 replacement fee as well as the cost of the item as follows:

$9.00 for paperbacks
$20 minimum for hard covers and DVDs
$5.00 for magazines
$40.00 minimum for video games
$2.00 to replace lost DVD packaging
Gear & Gadget kit replacement fees vary by type of kit.

Blocked accounts

Once charges on your library card reach a certain amount, your card will be blocked:

Adult card threshold - $20.00
Child card threshold - $10.00

The block is removed when enough of a payment is made to bring your account charges below the above-listed amount.

Charges on your account can be paid at your local branch by credit card, debit, cash, and/or cheque.

Using other libraries

We have borrowing agreements with many of our neighbours. You can visit and get a membership at the following partner libraries: