You may visit and browse through our collections, free of charge. Members may place requests on items which are on loan to other library members. You may use your library membership card in any of our seven libraries. Loan items from any of our libraries can be delivered on request to whichever library you use.
An item from any lending department can be borrowed for up to two weeks and, if it has not been requested by another borrower, you can renew it as follows:
- in person at any circulation counter,
- by telephoning between 10.00 a.m. and closing time, or
- by using the Library Catalogue, then selecting the 'Borrower Details' tag to enter your membership barcode and PIN (personal identification no.). Members can receive a PIN by showing proof of identity at a library circulation desk.
Registration Charges (where applicable)
At its budget meeting on 15 December 2008, Cork City Council revised charges for library use, from January 2009, as follows:
| Membership Type: | Cost: |
|---|---|
| Under-18s (in Adult Library) | No charge |
| Kids & Teens | No charge |
| State (formerly ‘Old-age’) Pensioners & dependent spouses | No charge |
| Disabled persons (in receipt of illness benefit) and dependent spouses | No charge |
| Persons in receipt of carer's allowance | No charge |
| Adults (without concessions) | €22.00 |
| Students (full-time) | €1.25 |
| Unemployed and dependent spouses (receiving jobseeker’s benefit) | €1.25 |
| Single Parents (in receipt of social welfare benefit) | €1.25 |
| Music library (general) | €40.00 |
| Music library (State pensioners & dependent spouses) | €30.00 |
Note: Browsing through library materials while on library premises is free to everybody.
Charges for overdue borrowed items
From January 2009, any item borrowed from the Library which is not returned within the standard loan period incurs a fine of 30c per week (or part of week) overdue, plus an administration/handling fee of 50c per notice (e-)mailed.
Overdue children's items are charged @ 10c per week, plus admin/handling charge of 50c per notice (e-)mailed.
Regulations for membership
- No membership is required to use the reference or information facilities of the Library. These services are provided free of charge, except for photocopying or printing charges.
- Everyone living or working in Cork city or county can become a member to borrow loanable items from any of our libraries
- Proof of address is required before registration
- Applicants living in rented accommodation must show proof of both temporary and home addresses
- Under-18s require the counter signature and contact telephone number of a parent/guardian guarantor
- Any member must inform library staff if they change address
- Six items may be borrowed by Adult members, for a loan period of two weeks
- Four items may be borrowed with a Child/Teen membership card, for a loan period of two weeks
- Your library card is required to borrow items, and can be used in any service point administered by Cork City Libraries