Library Card Use, Fines, and Fees

Library membership is free for residents of St. Marys with proof of address such as a driver's license or bill.

Residents of Huron County, Middlesex County, and Oxford County may also obtain a card through a reciprocal lending agreement between the libraries of each county.

Visitors may purchase a temporary library card for $7.00 per month.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Library did not charge any late fees for materials. We liked the idea so much we've decided to make the change permanent! Beginning April 4th, 2022, over 99% of the Perth County Information Network collections (North Perth, Perth East, St. Marys, Stratford, and West Perth) will be FINE FREE! Furthermore, existing late fees on borrower cards have been forgiven.

Borrowers are still encouraged to return their materials on time. Materials will continue to have their regular loan period and will be automatically renewed up to three times, if the item is not on hold. Libraries will continue to send reminders to customers when items are past due. Long overdue items will be billed and starting May 2022, a material recovery service will assist in the retrieval of lost materials.

The following items are now fine free:

• Print books
• Books on CD
• Magazines
• DVD's
• CNIB materials
• Video games

Fines still apply to:

• Interlibrary Loan (ILLO) materials
• Book Club Kits
• Mobile Hotspots
• Park Passes
• Non-Traditional Collection items like Tennis Rackets, Laptops, SAD Lamps

The library now provides automatic renewal for your materials. Most of your items will renew up to three times as long as they are not on request for another customer. See information about automatic renewals below.

With Auto Renewals, items on your account will automatically renew 3 days before they are due. All library members will be signed up for Auto-Renewal but you may opt-out at any time by contacting the library. Most physical items borrowed (books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs) are eligible for up to 3 auto-renewals.  

The following are not eligible for auto-renewal:

• Items that have reached their renewal limit
• Items another customer has requested to borrow (items on hold)
• ILLO items (special items borrowed from another library system)
• Downloadable and streaming materials (e.g. eBooks and eMagazines)
• Book Club Kits
• Mobile Hotspots
• Park Passes
• Reference materials

Customers will receive a notice 3 days before their items are due indicating which items have been renewed and which have not. You can also check the status of your items at anytime using the online catalogue. 

You can check the status of your items at anytime using the online catalogue.

1. Log into your account using your library card or username and your PIN (last 4 digits of your phone number)
2. Click on My SMPL then Checked Out.  
3. You will then see the due dates of your items.
4. If something is coming due, click in the checkbox beside it and click on the Renew button. 

You can also call the library at 519-284-3346 during our open hours and ask a library staff member to check your due dates and renew the items. 

The St. Marys Public Library Educator library cards are available for free for an educator currently working in an educational facility in Perth County. This includes K-12 classroom teachers in public or private schools, daycare center instructors and homeschoolers. Your card can be used at any public library in Perth County.

Why get an Educator Card?

The Educator Card is designed to help make full use of the Library's resources.

• Check out most items for double the standard loan period;
• Renew most items 1 time (Renewal is unavailable if the item is reserved for another customer);
• Pay no late fees (Payment is required for lost or damaged items);
• Obtain occasional communications about library resources geared to educators;
• Personal library card and educator card accounts are totally separate.

Pick up an Educator Library Card application at the Library and bring a piece of ID with you. Educators are required to have a personal library card to be eligible for an Educator Card.

Cards for Students

St. Marys Public Library is happy to provide personal library cards for your students. Library cards arm students with access to information, build literacy skills and most importantly, promotes a love of reading.

To arrange library cards for your class, contact: libraryinfo@stmaryspubliclibrary.ca

Class Visits

St. Marys Public Library offers school visit options to all St. Marys schools including storytimes, book talks, and themed presentations to support literacy and learning.

To arrange class visits, contact: libraryinfo@stmaryspubliclibrary.ca