Memberships | Town of Grimsby

Apply for a library card online

You can get a Grimsby Public Library (GPL) card with full borrowing privileges if you live or own property in Grimsby. People of all ages are eligible; however, those age 12 and under require a parent or guardian to sign up. With your membership, you can get access to thousands of items in our physical collections and through our online library.

Your GPL account automatically makes you a member of the Libraries in Niagara Cooperative (LiNC). You can use your GPL card at any of the member libraries in the Niagara region.

On this page, find out what to bring to registration, how to register, and about other types of library memberships.

What to bring to registration

You will need one of the following identification (ID) options to register for a library membership.

Option 1

One piece of ID with:

Name
Address

(example: driver's license, government ID card)

Option 2

One official piece of ID including your name (passport, student card, etc.); and
Proof of address including your name (mail, a bill, etc.)

Option 3 (for children 12 and under)

Parent or guardian must provide one of the above ID options to register their child
Teens 13 and older can register on their own if they have one of the above ID options

How to register

You can sign up for a card at the library during open hours, or start the process anytime through online registration.

To sign up for a library card follow these steps:

Bring one of the ID options listed above with you to the library;
Ask a staff member to register you for a new card. Based on the information listed on your ID; they will determine your membership type and create your account.
Once complete, staff will give you your new library card. You may check materials out and use the online library immediately after registration is complete.

Library card rules

With your Grimsby Public Library card, you are agreeing to:

Care for all of the materials you borrow;
Take responsibility and pay for all items checked out to you that are lost or damaged;
Notify us if your card is lost or stolen;
Update us with changes to your name, address, or phone number; and
Confirm your address and phone number every year.

Replacing and reporting a lost Library card

The replacement fee for a lost card is $2. Please bring your ID to the library to replace your card. Report a missing card immediately to avoid stolen cards from being used.

Apply online

Go to the registration page of the library's catalogue;
Fill out the required fields and click "submit".
The library will contact you when your account setup is complete.
To pick up your library card, go to the library's front desk and present one of the ID options listed above.

Registering children under 12

Children of any age can get a library card
All children under 12 must have parental or guardian consent and home address verification when registering for a card
Parent or guardian ID is used to create the account (see the above ID options)
The parent or guardian will be responsible for all items checked out on a child's card
A parent or guardian must sign the back of the child's card

Other types of library memberships

If you are not a Grimsby resident, or represent an organization, you may be eligible to apply for one of the following membership types:

Libraries in Niagara Cooperative (LiNC) membership

If you are a member of the following libraries, you can use your library card to borrow any physical items at the Grimsby Public Library:

This membership does not include online resources and e-book services like cloudLibrary or hoopla.

How to apply:

Register for a library card at your home library (from the above list). You can then start borrowing at the Grimsby Public Library using your home library card.

Corporate membership

Schools, daycares or businesses in Grimsby can get a corporate membership at the Library to borrow materials for their organization. An executive or administrator who is authorized to accept financial responsibility for the organization must complete a corporate membership application. The signatory or a representative can pick up the application form at the library. If a representative of the signatory is completing the registration and the signatory is not present, the completed application form will be verified over the telephone or in person with the signatory, and the card will be given or mailed to them.

Rules for corporate memberships:

The school, daycare or business is responsible for all lost or damaged material
Several people within the organization may use the library card, but the signatory has overall responsibility for it
Regular borrowing limits apply
The library card must be in-hand to borrow materials.

How to apply:

Fill out a corporate membership application and wait for a library staff member to contact you.

Hamilton borrower membership

You can register your library card at the Grimsby Public Library for a free reciprocal borrower membership if you are a member of the Hamilton Public Library.

Reciprocal borrowers have limited borrowing privileges.

Borrowing privileges for Hamilton borrowers

Hamilton borrower members can:

Check out up to 8 items at a time
Have 2 item holds

How to apply:

Bring your library card belonging to one of the above libraries and one of the ID options above to registration.

Non-resident membership

You can purchase a non-resident membership if you live outside of Grimsby. These memberships cost $40 a year and give you full borrowing privileges for 365 days after the membership is purchased.

How to apply:

Bring payment of $40 and one of the ID options above to registration.

Work/study membership

People who do not live in Grimsby, but work or go to school in town, can have a free library card for the duration of their employment or enrollment. Please inform us when you no longer work or go to school in Grimsby.

How to apply:

Bring proof of employment or enrollment (pay stub, report card, student card, etc.) and one of the ID options above to registration.