Library Cards

 

Your library card is important. Please bring your library card with you each time you visit the library. Your card allows you to borrow from any branch at no cost, as long as you return the materials you have on loan, on time.

 

Who Can Get a Card?
How to Get a Card
Address / Phone / Email Changes
Lost or Stolen Cards
Gift Memberships
Can't find your library card? Try KPL Key Tags!

 

 

Image of library card

 

 

Who Can Get a Card?

 

Library cards are free to:

 

  • All people who live or own property in the City of Kitchener

  • All people who live or own property in the Region of Waterloo*

  • If you live outside the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, you may obtain a library card for an annual fee of $39.00 or $20.00 for a six-month period.

 

If you are a visitor staying in the Region of Waterloo for a substantial length of time, you may obtain a six-week library card for $5.00.

 

Schools, businesses, and organizations may also obtain library cards.

 

Please call the library at 519-743-0271, ext. 237 to inquire.

 

* If you live, or own property, outside the City of Kitchener but within the Region of Waterloo, you may obtain a free membership under KPL's Reciprocal Borrowing agreement that allows you full borrowing privileges (100 items checked out, up to 200 holds, and remote access to KPL's electronic resources).

 

For more information on reciprocal borrowing, click here.

 

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How to Get a Library Card

 

There are three ways to obtain a library card:

 

 

Individuals must be present to receive their library cards, regardless of the method chosen to apply for the card.

 

 

Adults and Teens

 

Adults and teens will need personal identification and proof of a current Region of Waterloo address. If you are a new resident and/or do not yet have identification with a Region of Waterloo address, call any branch library to find out what you need to obtain your card.

 

For teens who do not have the necessary pieces of identification, the application must be filled out and signed by a parent or legal guardian.

 

Acceptable personal and/or proof of address identification includes:

 

  • Ontario Photo Card

  • Driver's license

  • Health Services Card (if address is displayed)

  • Social Insurance Card

  • Credit card

  • Birth certificate

  • Passport

  • Utility bill*

  • Personal mail with current postmark*

  • Tax or lease receipt

  • Rental agreement

  • Report card

  • Student I.D. card

 

* mailed items must be dated and no more than two weeks old.

 

 

Children (Babies to Age 12)

 

Proof of address is not required, an application form must be filled out and must be signed by the child's parent or legal guardian.

 

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Address / Phone / Email Changes

 

If you change your address, phone number, or e-mail address, please tell us! There is no charge for making changes to your library card record.

 

Your card will need to be renewed each year. Do not throw out your card. We will renew your record on our computer and you will continue to use the same card.

 

Reporting changes to your account is easy. Fill out our form today!

 

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Lost or Stolen Cards

 

Your card is very important. If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately to any branch library. You are responsible for anything borrowed on your card. To receive a replacement card, you will be asked to show identification, and pay a $2.00 replacement charge.

 

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Gift Memberships

 

Give the gift that lasts all year! Library cards can be given as a gift to a friend or relative. It’s simple! The gift giver will arrange for the membership with the library, pay any fees* that may be applicable, and receive a gift flyer to present to the gift recipient. The gift recipient then brings the flyer into any branch of the Kitchener Public Library to receive the library card and have the membership activated.

 

Ask at the Registration Desk about this key to endless hours of information and entertainment.

 

* Registration fees apply for Gift Memberships to people living outside the Region of Waterloo . There are no charges for recipients of Gift Memberships who live in the Region of Waterloo.

 

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KPL Key Tags

 

Are you ready to check your library material out? Rather than dig for your library card, simply use your KPL Key tag instead!

 

Key tags are perfect for those who are tired of the inconvenience of carrying around too many cards. Now both new and existing customers have more options when it comes to library cards.

 

In addition to our standard “first library card is free” policy, for a small fee, you can opt for the convenience of obtaining a key tag along with a library card. If you want to replace a current library card with a key tag/library card, the standard $2.00 replacement charge applies.

 

 

How does it work?

 

When you opt for the key tag, you will receive both a library card and a key tag. Both pieces will have the same barcode. The key tag can be easily attached to a key chain along with car and house keys, and the library card can stay in the desk at home or work.

 

Interested? Please ask staff for more details and to get your key tag today!

 

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