Ottawa Public Library

Joining is easy!

If you live or own property in the City of Ottawa, you may register at any branch for a free library card.

Children in grade 8 or under require the signature of a parent or guardian to receive a card.

Using your card

You can use your card at any branch or on the bookmobile. Remember to bring it with you each time you visit the library.

Treat your library card like a credit card. If it's lost or stolen-report it right away because anything taken out on your card is your responsibility until the card is reported missing. There's a fee to replace a missing card.

What you can borrow and for how long;

Item	Loan Period	Limit	Renewals
Books	21 days		5
Paperbacks	21 days		5
Magazines	21 days		0
Books on tape	21 days		5
Compact discs	7 days	10	1
CD-ROMs	7 days	10	1
Videocassettes
for adults	7 days	10	1
for children	21 days	10	1
Laserdiscs *	7 days		1

Going on holiday? Ask about our extended loan period.

You can renew most items unless

• someone else has asked to borrow it
• you have long overdue fines owing on your account
• your card has expired

Returning your books and other library materials

It's important to return them on time, so always check the date due slip. You can return materials to any of the 33 branches of the Ottawa Public Library or to the Bookmobile. The Main Library downtown offers an "Early Bird" service that allows you to drop off your books before you go to work. Book drops are available at all branches except Greely, Metcalfe, and Osgoode. Just remember you can't put CDs, videos or laser discs in a book drop.

Overdues and other charges

We send you two notices to remind you about overdue materials-but fines are payable on all overdues whether or not you receive a notice. Long overdue accounts (50+ days) are sent to our collection agency and you will have to pay a collection fee in addition to the fines owed.

Note: for lost or damaged items you will be charged the cost of the item plus a processing fee.