Get a Library Card

Huntsville Residents

Membership in the Library is free of charge to residents of the Town of Huntsville, according to the Public Libraries Act, 1990. Library cards are also available at no charge to primary, secondary school students, and post-secondary school students who attend schools within the Town of Huntsville.

Minimum residence to be eligible for resident membership is 8 weeks.

Muskoka Residents

A reciprocal borrowing arrangement with all libraries in the District of Muskoka entitles library members from any Muskoka library to obtain membership without charge at the Huntsville Public Library.

Non-Residents

Huntsville Public Library charges a library card fee for those who do not qualify for local resident membership.

Children

Children (up to and including grade 8) are encouraged to become members of the Library and use their library cards. Application for a child's membership is subject to the conditions for residents and non-residents, and application must be made on a child's behalf by a parent or guardian present in the library.

The library supports the right and responsibility of parents or guardians to determine and monitor their child's use of library materials and resources. The Library does not act in place of the parent and is not responsible for enforcing any restrictions which a parent or guardian may wish to apply regarding a child's use of the library.

Identification

All applicants must present 2 pieces of identification (at least one piece with a local address, in the case of local residents) to obtain a library card. Any of the following will serve as proof of identification and/or address:

• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Imprinted cheques
• Valid voter registration
• Current lease agreement or bill of sale for real property
• Current bill (e.g., utility, telephone, major credit card)
• Payroll form
• Library card from another Muskoka library
• Student card or timetable
• Report card

Renewing Memberships

The library renews memberships in good standing (no outstanding charges) annually, one year from the date of issue. If you change your address, phone number, or e-mail address, please tell us! There is no charge for making changes to your library card record.

Your card will need to be renewed each year. Do not throw out your card. We will renew your record on our computer and you will continue to use the same card.

Replacing Membership Cards

Your card is very important. If your card is lost or stolen please report it immediately. You are responsible for any materials taken out in your name. Lost or damaged library cards will be replaced for a small fee. In the case of a lost card, valid identification must be presented.

Members Responsibilities

• Agree to abide by the regulation of Huntsville Public Library
• Be responsible for all materials borrowed with his/her card
• Present the library card each time materials are borrowed OR present valid identification and pay a fee to look up the membership
• Report the loss of the card or change of address as soon as possible
• Pay all fines or charges incurred for overdue, damaged or lost library material
• Observe all policies set by the Board as authorized by the Public Libraries Act

Parents or guardians are responsible for their children with respect to the observance of Board policy.

The Chief Librarian is authorized by the Board to withhold library privileges to anyone refusing to comply with Board policy.

Confidentiality

All records related to patron registration and materials borrowed are confidential, except in the following circumstances:

• Overdue notification by telephone or mail to the patron's home
• Fines payment: a receipt including title information is given to the person paying the fine
• Police investigations: records can be requested by search warrant or upon receiving an investigation report number from the requesting office
• Parents of children up to and including Grade 8 may access their children's library records with the child's card