Your Library Card and Borrowing Information

• You must show current identification with your name and current address. 
  • Please check this list of Acceptable Types of ID for memberships.
• If you live in the Town of Cobourg, the Township of Hamilton - you are eligible for a free membership.
• If you live in the Municipality of Port Hope - you are eligible for a free membership
  • This service is provided through a reciprocal borrowing agreement between the Port Hope Public Library Board and the Cobourg Public Library Board.
• Non-Residents or Visitors may purchase a Library Membership:
• Family Membership - $65 per year ; $40.00 for six months
• Individual Membership - $40.00 per year; $25.00 for six months
• Visitor membership - $5.00 per month (minimum one month's fee)
• Students attending schools in Cobourg or Hamilton Township are eligible for a no-fee membership, with proof of ID and school enrolment.
  • Non-resident student memberships are intended for the use of the student only.
  • Misuse of a student membership may lead to the loss of the free membership.
• Computer User or e-card - Free - Apply now 
  • Allows access to our Virtual Online Resources (including e-books, e-magazines, databases, etc.) only
  • Cannot be used to place holds or borrow Library materials
• For complete details on memberships, please read our Membership Policy 

• Please report lost or stolen cards immediately. 
• Any item signed out on your card is your responsibility. 
• Replacement card cost: $3.00

• You can renew your Library Card at any branch, over the phone or by filing in this online form.
  • Memberships for the permanent residents of the Town of Cobourg, Hamilton Township or the Municipality of Port Hope will be renewed for 3 years. 
  • You will be asked to verify your contact information (address, phone number and email) to renew your card.
  • All outstanding fines and fees must be paid to renew your card.
  • Non-resident and Visitor memberships must be renewed in-person to allow payment for non-resident fee.
• Please report any address, telephone number or email changes as soon as possible.

Can you remember when your items are due? 

Would you like to save on fines, and possibly never have overdue items again?  

Of course you would!

To sign up, simply provide a valid email address for staff to add to your membership on your next visit to the Library - that's it!  Or, send us an email with your name, card number and address. Then you will receive an email 3-days before an item is due, so you have time to renew it (if no one is waiting) or bring it back to the Library.

While all of our materials are special, we have a few unique collections available to borrow at the Library.

Please see sections below for borrowing limits, fine rates, renewals and other information.

Binge Bundles (link to search) 6 DVDs in one case on a common theme 3 week loan ; 3 per membership Fines - $1.00 per open day Book Club Kit (link to search) The number of copies in each kit may vary 6 week loan period ; Not renewable See this handout for a listing of titles Fines - $0.25 per open day Borrow and Build LEGO Set (link to search) 1 KG of LEGO to take home and create with! 3 week loan ; 1 per membership Fine Free (although Lost or Damaged fees still apply) Borrow and Play - Musical Instrument Library We have 2 Adult Guitars, 1 Youth Guitar, 1 Adult Ukulele and 1 Youth Ukulele at the Cobourg Library 1 Adult Ukulele at both the Bewdley and Gores Landing Branches First-come, first-served ; Not renewable 3 week loan ; 1 per membership Fines - $1.00 per open day Discovery Backpacks (link to search) Each backpack has a different theme with books and something special inside 3 week loan ; 1 per membership Fine Free (although Lost or Damaged fees still apply)

• Jigsaw Puzzles (link to search)
  • Each puzzle comes in a carrying case which includes:
    • Puzzle pieces in a Ziploc bag
    • A poster with the image of the puzzle
  • 3 week loan ; 2 per membership
  • Adult Puzzles - Fines $0.25 per open day
  • Junior Puzzles - Fine Free (although Lost or Damaged fees still apply)
• Ontario Provincial Parks Parking Pass Kit
  • Kit includes: 1 day-use parking pass -- 1 pair of binoculars (with case) -- 1 compass (on lanyard) -- 1 Discovery activity book -- 1 Ontario parks guide
  • 1 week loan ; First-come, first-served ; 1 per membership ; not renewable
  • 3 Kits available at each branch
  • Visitors will be able to reserve day use permits up to five days in advance of arrival in 33 provincial parks. For more info read this Blog Article, or go to the Day Use at Ontario Parks site.
  • Fines - $20.00 per open day
• Seed Library
  • Borrow seeds in the spring, then harvest in the fall
  • Free to borrow (no loan period)
• Telescope
  • View the stars from your backyard!
  • Each telescope includes: 1 telescope in 1 bag with wheels (30cm x 127cm or 12" x 50"), 1 rotating base (56cm x 75cm or 22" x 30"), 1 book, 1 flashlight, 1 instruction manual, 2 adjustment tools, 12 laminated cards.
  • PLEASE NOTE* - Telescope and base are large. Please make sure that your vehicle can accommodate them. 
  • Cobourg location only.
  • Must be checked out on an Adult Library Membership Card.
  • 1 week loan ; not renewable
  • First-come, first-served 
  • Available at the Cobourg or Bewdley Branch locations only.
  • Fines - $1.00 per open day

• You must show your library card to borrow materials.
• Borrowing is stopped when charges on your card amount to $50.00 or greater. 
• Limit to borrow at one time per Library Card:
  • 5 Video Games
  • 5 Junior VOX Books
  • 3 Binge Bundles
  • 3 Quick Reads
  • 1 Borrow and Build LEGO Set
  • 1 Borrow and Play Musical Instrument
  • 1 Discovery Backpack
  • 1 Ontario Provincial Parks Parking Pass Kit

Loan Periods

• Most items can be borrowed for 3 weeks, except for those items listed below
  • Please ask about special vacation loans
• 2 week loans (not renewable): 
  • High demand books
• 1 week loans (not renewable):
  • High demand DVDs or Blu-rays
  • Quick Reads
  • Telescopes
  • Ontario Provincial Parks Parking Pass Kit 

• Most items may be renewed twice if a request has not been placed on it and, as long as the membership card has not expired and is in good standing. 
• Renewals cannot be done on the following:
  • Requested Items, Musical Instruments, Quick Reads, Telescopes, Book Club Kits, Ontario Provincial Parks Parking Pass Kits 
    
• You can renew items in person or over the phone at 905-372-9271 ext. 6100. 
• You must speak with a member of staff during open hours to ensure your items can be renewed.
• You can also renew items by logging into Your Account online, or with our Library App.
• You will need your library card number and your PIN number (the last 4-digits of your phone number).

• To avoid fines, return all library materials on time.  
• Sign up for our "Friendly Reminder" service, and receive an email 3-days prior to the due date of your materials.
• Items can be returned at the main desk when the Library is open.
• Items may also be returned, 24 hours a day, through the book or audiovisual return drops on the parking lot side of the Cobourg branch. 
• A drop box is also available at our Bewdley Branch.
• If the slots are full, do not leave your items.  
• You are responsible for the safe return of library materials.

• Requests may be made by logging into Your Account, or through our Library App.
• Requests may also be made in person at a service desk, or by calling staff at 905-372-9271 ext. 6100. 
• You will receive an automated phone call when your items are available for pick-up.
• If the items are not picked up, and the holds are not cancelled, a $1.00 charge, per item, will be placed on your account
• Requests cannot be placed on the following collections:
  • Quick Reads, Musical Instruments, Telescopes, Ontario Parks Permit Kits

All Child/Junior and Teen/Young Adult Collections - Fine Free 

• The Cobourg Public Library Board has agreed to not charge overdue fines for all regular Junior and Young Adult collection materials (as of January 1st, 2022).
  • This does not apply to Special Collections, Video Games or Inter-Library Loan materials.
  • If an item is not returned after 8 weeks, it is declared Lost - the cost of the item plus a $3.00 processing fee will be added to your account.
  • If the item is Damaged - the cost of the item plus a $3.00 processing fee will be added to your account.

Late fees for Special Collections:

• Quick Reads, Telescopes, Binge Bundles, and Borrow and Play (Musical Instruments):
  • Fines - $1.00 per open day  
• Ontario Parks Permit Kits:
  • Fines - $20.00 per open day

Late fees for Adult Collections, Video Games, Inter-Library Loans:

• $0.25 per open day

Replacement Card

• $3.00

Lost Items or Damaged Items

• The cost of the item plus a $3.00 processing fee will be added your account

Long outstanding accounts in excess of $50.00, will be referred to a collection agency.

• A fee of $15.00 will be charged to such accounts when applicable.