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For more information about becoming a library member contact:

Tel: 02 9242 8555
Email: library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Becoming a member

To become a member of the City of Sydney's library network you need to complete an application form and provide proof of identity, including your current permanent address details. Complete and submit the form online or drop in to one of our branches to sign up.

You can download translated information about joining the library below.

Several membership categories are available. Residents, ratepayers and local people at risk (homeless people and people with refugee status) are eligible for free membership.

Low cost membership is available to people who normally live outside the local area but wish to borrow items from the library – see the table below for details.

General borrowing limits

Most library membership categories allow a maximum of 20 items to be borrowed over a 3-week period, with up to 2 renewals. This includes books, CDs, magazines, audio books and reservations.

You can borrow 10 items such as DVDs and VCDs at a time.

Inter-library loans are limited to 5 and language kits are limited to 2.

You can borrow a maximum of 3 toys per card from the toy collections at the Glebe, Surry Hills and Waterloo branches.

You can combine different items as long as you don't borrow more than 20 at a time. You also have to stick to the limits on certain items summarised above.

For example, you can borrow 10 books and 10 DVDs at one time.

Or 5 books, 5 CDs and 10 DVDs at one time.

Limits for temporary members

If you are a temporary library member – an interstate or international visitor, homeless person or you have refugee status – your borrowing limit is for 5 items over a 3-week period, with up to two renewals.

Audio visual items are limited to 1 at a time, while reservations and inter-library loans are not available in this membership category.

Returns

Borrowed items can be returned to a City library branch during opening hours or in the after-hours return chute. Items from any of the toy collections must be returned to the original branch.

Loan renewals

You can renew your loan online, at any branch (in person or by telephone) or via email at library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Annual membership fees
 Cost (incl GST)
Residents, ratepayers and homeless
 Free
Non-residents (Sydney metropolitan area and NSW)
 $15
Non-residents concession (Seniors card, benefits and those in the postcode 2042)
 $7
Children (non-residents, up to 18 years of age)
 $5
Quarterly membership (3 months) – visitors without a permanent NSW address (interstate or overseas)
 $15
Replace lost membership card
 $6

Last updated: Tuesday, 21 May 2013