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MONDAY

All locations are open today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

TUESDAY

All locations are open today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

All locations are open today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

THURSDAY

All locations are open today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

FRIDAY

All locations are open today from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

All locations are open today from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

Central Library is open today from 1-5 p.m. All community libraries are closed.

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Kitchener Public Library memberships are free to anyone who lives in Waterloo Region. Your library membership is your passport to all Kitchener Public Library collections. With your membership you can borrow books, use library computers, read e-books, listen to audiobooks, stream movies, learn a new language and more - for free! 

Getting your membership in-person

  1. Bring a piece of identification that has your name and address on it. A parent of legal guardian must provide name identification with proof of address for children 12 and under.
    1. Accepted forms of identification:
      • Driver's license
      • Ontario photo card
    2. If you don't have a piece of identification with your name and address, we will accept two separate documents. One to confirm who you are, the other to confirm where you live.
      1. Accepted forms of name identification:
        • Health card
        • Student ID card
        • Passport
        • Credit card
        • Birth certificate
        • Social insurance card
      2. Accepted forms of address identification:
        • Recent utility bill
        • Recent rental or lease agreement
        • Recent tax bill
  2. Go to a service desk at any Kitchener Public Library location and ask to sign up for a library membership.
  3. Show your identification to our library team member.
  4. The library team member will ask you questions about your contact information and will set a PIN for your account. This is set to the last four-digits of your phone number. They will also help you learn about the library.
  5. The library team member will give you your new library card. Please sign the back of your card and bring it with you to check out items at the library. 

Your membership must be renewed each year. You can renew at any Kitchener Public Library location or online using the account update form. 

You can also update your contact information at any time.

Now that you have your membership you can start borrowing our incredible collections or explore our Virtual Library. Learn more about borrowing and returning items.

Getting your membership online

You can also register online and start borrowing without visiting the library. Your digital membership gives you full access to our collections. Once you've registered please make sure to record your library barcode number and PIN. Keep them in a safe place or add it to a wallet app on your device.

Register online

Types of memberships

Kitchener Public Library adult memberships are free to anyone 13 years of age and older who live in Waterloo Region. You will need to provide identification which includes your name and proof of address or two forms of identification.

Kitchener Public Library child memberships are free to anyone 12 years of age and under who live in Waterloo Region. Applications for children must be signed by their parent or legal guardian. Parents and guardians are responsible for the selection, use and return of all items borrowed by children. 

Kitchener Public Library computer-use memberships are free to anyone without proof of address or identification. You can use this membership for in-person, computer use for up to two hours each day. 

You can still get a Kitchener Public Library membership even if you don’t live in Waterloo Region. Non-resident memberships are available in-person for $22 for six months or $44 for one year. You can renew if you still live in Ontario. You will need to provide name identification with proof of address or two forms of identification. 

Your school or business may apply for up to three library memberships issued under your organization's name. 

Application for school or corporate card

To apply, please deliver the completed application form to any Kitchener Public Library location.

Application forms may also be mailed or faxed to

Kitchener Public Library
85 Queen St N
Kitchener ON N2H 2H1

Questions? Please call us at 519-743-0271 x 260 or email registration@kpl.org

You may be issued a temporary membership if you registered for a membership online but we weren’t able to set-up your account.

Your temporary membership will last for 90 days and gives you access to our entire Virtual Library, including ebooks, audiobooks and streaming services. You can also borrow up to four items from any Kitchener Public Library location.

If you live in Waterloo Region you can complete your registration by visiting any location with your name identification with proof of address or two forms of identification. 

Visitors staying in Waterloo Region can get a six-week visitor membership for $5. Bring a piece of identification that has your name and permanent address on it. 

Your membership

Now that you have your membership, you can start borrowing our incredible collections or explore our Virtual Library.

Learn more about borrowing and how long you can keep items before returning them to the library.

Sign in to your library account to view your current checkouts, due dates, and items on hold. You may also view your reading history, and manage custom lists.

Access to your account may not be available during scheduled system maintenance on Monday to Thursday from 11 p.m. to midnight and Friday to Saturday from 6-7 p.m. 

Please report lost or stolen cards immediately to any Kitchener Public Library location. You are responsible for any items borrowed on your library account. 

You can replace lost or stolen cards for $2. You will need to provide proof of identification to receive your new card. 

You can store your membership digitally and still have full access to your library account as long as you have your phone.   

Use a loyalty or wallet app

Choose and download your favourite loyalty or wallet app. SuperCards Loyalty Card Wallet is a tested app that we recommend as an option.
Google Play | Apple App Store

Add your card by searching for Kitchener Public Library, and use the phone camera to scan the back of your library card. You can also add your card manually by typing your membership number for digital memberships.

Note: Instructions for adding your membership can vary between apps. 

When checking out library material, open the app to display your library barcode. Library staff and self-check kiosk can scan it just like a physical card. 

Take a photo

You can also take a photo of the barcode on the back of your library card. Ensure that the barcode is clearly in focus when you take the photo. 

Save the photo to your favourites folder for quick access. 

When checking out library items, open the photo to display your library card. Library staff and self-check kiosks can scan it just like a physical card. For best results, ensure that the screen brightness is turned up all the way on your phone. 

 

Confidentiality

Your customer information is confidential. Information about what you have borrowed is not kept on your account once you return the item unless fees are owing on an item. You may choose to enable your own borrowing history but we will not be able to access this information.  

Kitchener Public Library collects personal information during library membership registration, including name, birthdate, address, telephone and email address information. Personal information is collected in accordance with Ontario's Public Libraries Act and will be kept strictly confidential. Use of personal information will be limited to library related activities, including managing library accounts, holds and overdue notices, program and event registration, and library news and fundraising initiatives.