Library Cards

A Brantford Public Library membership gets you free access to hundreds of thousands books, ebooks, audiobooks, digital newspapers and magazines, and more! A 2021 study showed that members of Brantford Public Library enjoy more than $1,800 worth of services each year.

Library memberships are free for:

  • Residents in Brantford, County of Brant and Six Nations and Cambridge
  • Brantford business or property owners
  • Laurier Brantford and Conestoga students
  • Anyone who works within the City of Brantford

Join the Library

There are two options to join the Brantford Public Library.

  1. A full membership, which gets you full borrowing and services privileges
  2. A digital membership, which gets you access to the entire online collection and databases.

Full Membership 

Visit either Library location complete a membership application and become a full member. When visiting to join as a full member, make sure to bring a two pieces of current ID. One of these must have your name and current address. These pieces of ID can also be used to get a membership for a child or youth. The legal guardian of the child will assume responsibility for all material and charges on the child/youth card.

Digital Membership

Get instant access to our entire digital collection! Digital memberships last for one year and can be converted to a full membership anytime. 

Complete this Digital Membership Resident form if you live in Brantford, Brant County or Six Nations. 

Complete the Works in Brantford Digital Membership form if you are employed in Brantford.

At anytime, you can visit the library to convert your digital membership to a membership with full borrowing privileges.  See our Digital Membership FAQ page for more information. 

Note, Digital Memberships are not available to Cambridge residents. These residents must visit a Brantford Public Library branch to become a member.

Bring the following items with you when picking up your membership card:

  • Two pieces of current ID. One piece of ID must have your name and current address
  • Your County of Brant Public Library card or Six Nations Public Library card, if you are a resident of either of those communities
  • Your WLU OneCard if you are a Laurier Brantford student. If you have this card, you do not need to bring any other pieces of ID

 

Access university collections for free

A WLU Community Card provide free access to the  Wilfrid Laurier University print collection.

Brantford Public Library members can visit the Main Branch to pick up a WLU Community Card and WLU Community Cards must be renewed annually.

Non-Resident memberships

People who live outside of Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations can join also the Library.

Non-resident memberships are $40 a year. This fee is applied when you pick up your Library card and can be paid for with cash, debit, credit and cheques made payable to Brantford Public Library.

Residents of Cambridge and anyone who is employed in Brantford can also join the Brantford Public Library for free.

Visit either Library location to join the Library. The membership form can be completed at home or at the Library.

Two pieces of current ID. One piece of ID must have your name and current address must be provided when you pick up your membership card.

Internet Cards

Internet Cards allows people who don't have a library membership to use computers in the Library. These computers are connected to the internet and Library printers and provide access to a selection of Library resources.

Visit either Library location to get your card. Bring current ID with you if available.


Institution Cards

Institution cards provide local organizations full access to our resources and collections. Organizations in the City of Brantford that can take advantage of an Institution card include:

  • Licensed Day Cares and Preschools
  • Elementary or Secondary Schools
  • Rest Homes, Hospitals and Churches
  • Non-profit Organizations

To apply for an Institution Card:

  1. Fill out the Institution Card Application
  2. Have it approved by your organization's Designated Officer. A Designated Officer must be a Principal, Vice-Principal, Manager, Director, or equivalent
  3. Submit completed form:

Individual staff members at organizations can apply for their own card with the Designated Officer's approval.

Approved applicants will be notified and must pick up their card in person at the Main Library.

All Institution cards will expire annually at the end of September.

For more information about the Institution cards, see the Institution Card Application.

Library Membership FAQs

How often do I have to renew or update my membership?

Most Library cards expire every two years. Visit either Library location to renew your card.
Bring the following items with you when renewing your card:

  • Your library card
  • ID with your current address 

Non-resident cards expire every year. Visit either Library location to renew a Non-resident card. Bring the following items with you:

  • Your Library card
  • ID with your current address
  • Your payment method for the $40 fee. We accept cash, debit, credit, and cheques. Cheques can be made out to Brantford Public Library

Institution cards expire annually at the end of September. Renewal notifications with instructions for renewing will be sent out to Designated Officers in August.

WLU Community cards expire every year. Visit the Main Library to renew your card. Bring your Brantford Public Library card and your WLU Community card.

Notify the library anytime your contact information changes. This includes when you have a:

  • New address
  • New phone number
  • New email address
  • Change of name

What if I lose my card?

Notify the Library as soon as possible if your card has been lost or stolen.

Visit either Library location to get a replacement card. Bring the following items with you:

  • Current ID
  • Replacement fee

Replacement fees:

  • Adult card - $2
  • Children's card - $1

What ID should I bring when I pick up my card?

Acceptable ID to confirm address include:

  • Driver's Licence
  • Ontario Photo Card
  • Current Utility or Telephone Bill
  • Car Ownership
  • Car Insurance
  • Government Cheque or Tax Bill
  • Rent Receipt
  • School Report Card

Acceptable ID to confirm identity include:

  • Employee Card
  • Student Card
  • Current Pay Stub
  • Birth Certificate
  • Passport
  • Indian Status Card
  • Credit Card

What responsibilities come with a Library membership?

Treat your library card like you would any important piece of personal identification (Health Card, Driver's License, etc.). Immediately report a lost or stolen card to the Library. You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your card. Do not lend your card or any library materials that you borrow. Each family member should have an individual card. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for children and assume full responsibility in the choice of material borrowed from the Library.

Cards for all borrowers, infants up to and including age 15, must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Individuals aged 16-years and older sign their own card and are responsible for all materials borrowed.

Library borrowing privileges can be suspended when overdue fines and/or replacement charges reach $20 or more. See our fines and fees page for more information.