Getting your first library card is free for all ages! To sign up, visit any branch and present a piece of identification or official document that has your name and current address on it. Please notify us of any changes in your personal information, as it is your responsibility to keep your contact information current.
If you forget your library card, we will accept a piece of ID in lieu for the purpose of checking out materials or logging on to the computers. You can also capture a picture of your library card on your smartphone or tablet to present as a virtual card
Apply for a Library card in person by visiting any branch with a piece of I.D. that includes your mailing address (e.g. driver's license), a piece of mail (e.g. utility bill), or proof of address (e.g. mortgage or rental agreement). This Library card grants you access to all of our physical collections of books, movies, video games, and more; our virtual eCollections of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming media; and our online eResources and research databases.
You can also apply for an eCard! This temporary card will grant you access to our virtual eCollections and our online eResources.
You can upgrade your eCard to a full card by contacting Member Services at info@clarington-library.on.ca, or 905-623-7322 2712. The full card will enable you to check out physical items.
As of May 3, 2022, Clarington Public Library has eliminated fines for overdue materials! Whether they’re overdue by days, weeks, or even months, simply return your late materials to any branch with no overdue fines! Just "Bring it back!"
You are responsible for your borrowed items. If an item is lost or damaged, you will be charged the replacement cost for the item and the $6.00 administration fee.
For more information, please see our Bring it Back! page.
The following chart indicates the loan periods for Library materials.
All items will be holdable, and most items will automatically renew an unlimited number of times, with the exception of Mobile Hotspots, Book Club in a Bag kits, Inter-Library Loans (ILLOs), and any items that have holds. There are no longer overdue fines on any Library materials.
Update: Effective Thursday, July 21st, the Library will be implementing updated loan periods. Many special collection items, DVDs and video games will be due back in 7 days. Any items that are currently checked out will continue to adhere to the due date that they had at checkout (e.g. a STEAM kit checked out on July 12 will still be due back on August 2 as per current loan periods). Any items checked out on and after July 21 will be subject to the new loan periods.
| Item | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| MAIN COLLECTION | |
| Adult Items | 21 days |
| Young Adult (YA) Items | 21 days |
| Children's Items | 21 days |
| A/V COLLECTIONS | |
| Adult DVDs | 7 days |
| Adult Television Series (3+ discs) | 14 days |
| Children's DVDs | 7 days |
| Adult and Young Adult (YA) Video Games (limit of 10 video games per card) |
7 days |
| Children's Video Games (limit of 10 video games per card) |
7 days |
| SPECIAL COLLECTIONS | |
| Interlibrary Loans: DVDs | Varies; usually 7 days |
| Interlibrary Loans: Books and Audiobooks | Varies; usually 21 days |
| Back2Nature Backpacks | 7 days |
| Binocular Kits | 7 days |
| Board and Card Games | 7 days |
| Community Passes | 7 days |
| Launchpads (limit of 5 Launchpads per card) |
7 days |
| Mini-Maker Kits | 7 days |
| STEAM Kits | 7 days |
| Storytime Kits | 7 days |
| Mobile Hotspots | 21 days |
| Wonderbooks | 21 days |
| Book Club in a Bag Kits | 42 days |
| DAISY Readers | 42 days |
You are responsible for the items borrowed on your card until it is reported missing. If you lose your card report it immediately by calling Member Services at 905-623-7322 x 2712. The cost-recovery fee to replace a lost or stolen card is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children (under age 12).
Library privileges are suspended when 10 or more items are one (1) day overdue.
When items are lost or damaged, members will be billed the value of those items plus a $6.00 administrative fee per item.
If you have any concerns, please contact Member Services at info@clarington-library.on.ca or 905-623-7322 x2712 to discuss your account.
After 21 days overdue, members will be billed the value of all outstanding items, plus a $6.00 administrative fee per item. At 90 days overdue, member accounts may be submitted to a retrieval agency and a $15.00 administrative fee will be added to the account.
If you have any concerns, please contact Member Services at info@clarington-library.on.ca or 905-623-7322 x2712 to discuss your account.
Clarington Public Library contacts members to notify them about their account status, program registration, and Library promotions. Please see our Communications page for details and options.
