How do I join the library?

Georgina Public Library cards are free to anyone living, working, attending school, or paying taxes in Georgina or in one of the municipalities with which Georgina Public Library has reciprocal borrowing agreements. These libraries are:

To get a GPL card, attend at one of our three branches with a piece of identification that shows your current address, or if you don’t reside in one of the above municipalities, your student card or other proof of enrolment in an educational institution, or proof of employment in any of the member municipalities. If you do not live, work or attend school in one of the above municipalities, you may purchase a non-resident membership for $35.00/ individual or $50/ family, per year.

Children under the age of 13 require a parent or guardian co-signer who assumes responsibility for library materials borrowed. All records related to your registration & materials borrowed are confidential.

Materials cannot be borrowed without your library card.

What can I borrow & for how long?

The libraries have books for babies to seniors, large print books, books on cassette tape and CD, magazines, videos, DVDs, CDs, and a small collection of materials in French and other languages. Most materials can be borrowed for 3 weeks. Videos/DVDs are loaned for 6 nights- check with staff for the return date. Book drops are available at each branch for after-hours returns and all materials can be returned to any Georgina library branch. You can request a due date slip at the check out desk. Remember videos have an overdue fine of $1.00 a day.

What happens if I am late returning my materials?

Fines are charged on overdue materials. Fines vary by user and material category.

Childrens library cards incur fines at the rate of:

Adult library cards incur fines at the rate of:

All outstanding fines/charges must be cleared before your card is renewed each year.

Most items may be renewed twice if no other customer has requested the item. You can renew your checked-out items in several ways: by bringing the item into any branch where staff will renew the item; by telephoning the library and speaking with circulation staff; and by logging in to your "My Account" and renewing the item. See the About the Library Catalogue web page for more details on managing your account online through our iBistro Catalogue. If renewals are made after the due date, fines will be assessed from the overdue date until the renewal date. Overdue items and items on hold for another customer cannot be renewed online.

To renew by phone, call a branch during regular library hours:

Keswick Library 905 476-5762
Peter Gzowski Library 905 722-5702
Pefferlaw Library 705 437-1514

How do I find something in the library?

You can look up materials in iBistro, the online catalogue, or ask staff for assistance. The catalogue lists materials available in all 3 branches and is accessible directly online through the Search the Library Catalogue link, or to learn more about the catalogue before searching, read our About the Library Catalogue page.

How do I request an item not on the shelf?

If the item is listed in iBistro, but is not available, ask a staff member to place a hold for you, or place your own hold online, and you will be notified when the item becomes available. If there is more then one hold on an item, you will be placed in order behind other library customers with holds previously placed. Only library staff, in person, or over the phone, can tell you what hold position you have on an item. You cannot determine hold position online.

If you have given the library an email address, your hold pick-up notice will be sent via email to your email address on record. Due to restrictions implemented by your Internet Service Provider, library email notices may get filtered to your SPAM, BULK, or JUNK folder. To receive holds, pre due and overdue notifications from Georgina Public Libraries, you may need to put our address on your safe list: Our email sender and address is “The Public Library” (sirsi@bravo.canlib.ca)

If the library does not have your email on record, library staff will call you when your hold becomes available. Holds are held for 5 days, excluding holidays and closed days.

  © Georgina Public Libraries 2011