Get a Library Card
How to Get an ECL Card
Welcome to Elgin County Library! Find out how to get a library card below, what late fines and replacement fees apply to library items, and what your ECL Card gets you!
You will receive a plastic card, similar in appearance to a credit card, which contains your library card number.
Your library card is free:
- If you are a resident of Elgin County or St. Thomas;
- If you pay taxes in Elgin County or St. Thomas;
- If you have a St. Thomas Public Library card;
- If you are a member of a neighbouring public library system;
Please be prepared to present identification showing your current address and photo.
An adult must sign the card for a child, up to and including a child in Grade 8, in order for it to be valid. A parent or guardian assumes full responsibility for the choice of material which the child borrows from the library.
If you lose your library card, the cost to replace it is $1.00.
Please report promptly a change of address or phone number or the loss or theft of your card by visiting your local branch or calling or emailing. All contact information for all 10 branch locations can be found on our Hours & Locations page.
Borrowing
There are two types of card available. A Virtual Library Card allows you access to all of our online resources, and a regular Library Card allows you access to all of our online resources plus physical items. A Virtual Library Card can be updated to a regular card by visiting your local branch.
| Virtual Library Card | Library Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow physical items including: fiction and non-fiction books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, magazines, Special Collections | ✘ | ✔ |
| Access our online catalogue | ✔ | ✔ |
| Place holds on physical items on our online catalogue | ✘ | ✔ |
| Access Elgin County Library wifi | ✔ | ✔ |
| Access to computers in all 10 branches | ✘ | ✔ |
| Access all our online reference resources on our Online Learning page | ✔ | ✔ |
| Access all ebook and entertainment platforms on our Online Reading & Entertainment page | ✔ | ✔ |
Items have different loan periods.
| Item | Loan Period |
|---|---|
| Books / Bag of Books / Playaways / Wonderbooks / Audiobooks / Language Kits | 4 Weeks |
| DVD / Game / Music CD | 1 Week |
| TV series on DVD | 2 Weeks |
| Magazines | 2 Weeks |
| Park Passes | 1 Week |
| Reference Books | 1 Week |
If the replacement cost of an item is unknown, a default replacement rate will be charged.
*Please note that books with multiple holds will have a shortened loan period of 2 weeks. Some items require permission from library staff to borrow. Renewals are only available on items without holds.
Elgin County Library is on a path to becoming fine free! Children’s materials, and adult fiction books currently have no late fines. If an item is overdue for a long time, or an item becomes lost of damaged the borrower will be billed the cost of the item so that we can replace it and other community members have an opportunity to borrow it.
Your pin number is set up to be the last 4 digits of the phone number you provided when you signed up for a library card. You can change your pin by logging into My Account. Contact us if you are having trouble with your pin #.
Elgin County Library cards are valid for 2 years. After that time we require them to be renewed and ask that we make sure we still have the right contact information for you.
There are a few ways to renew your card:
- Visit your local branch;
- Call your local branch;
- Use the live chat feature on our website (available Monday – Friday between 9am – 4:30pm).
Apply for a Virtual Library Card
The virtual library card is exclusively for the use of online content offered by the Elgin County Library. Your library card is free:
- If you are a resident of Elgin County or St. Thomas.
- If you are a member of a neighbouring public library system.
Please note: if you currently have an existing library card with Elgin County Library, you have full access to all online content and are not eligible for a virtual library card.
- Fill out the form below to apply for a virtual library card.
- Once submitted, your application will be processed by library staff. You should receive an email from staff once your application has been processed.
- A welcome package will be sent in the mail to you, and it will include your new virtual library card.
- You should receive your welcome packet within 7 working days of your application submission.
Virtual Library Card Application
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