Library Membership
Joining the Library
It has never been easier to become a library member! Membership is free and available for all New South Wales residents of reciprocal membership councils.
Most NSW public libraries are signatories to the reciprocal membership agreement between local public libraries. For non-reciprocal councils, an out of area membership fee applies.
*Please note that Hunter's Hill Council does not have a reciprocal borrowing agreement with the City of Ryde.
You can sign up in one of two ways:
- Online: You will be given a temporary membership number that allows you to reserve up to 4 items from our online catalogue. To obtain a physical library card you will need to visit a City of Ryde Libraries branch.
- In person at any Library.
When you visit a City of Ryde Library you will need to bring proof of identification that includes your photo, name and address to validate your library membership. You will then receive your new library card and gain access to our full range of services.
Those under 16 years of age will require a parent or guardian to sign on their behalf and bring identification of their own as well as proof of legal guardianship.
Membership for non-residents of non-reciprocal councils is subject to an annual fee and renewal of an Out of Area (non-reciprocal) membership. If you work, study or are a rate payer in the City of Ryde you are exempt from paying the annual fee. Children under six years of age can be joined up for free to borrow from the children’s collection.
Membership details are confidential and will not be disclosed to other parties and are only used for the function or activities of Council. Please see Council’s privacy statement.
Conditions of memberships(PDF, 179KB) must be read and agreed to before joining up, and all members must abide by the Customer Code of Conduct(PDF, 103KB).
Valid identification
Valid identification must be up-to-date. Digital or electronic versions of identification are accepted. Photo proof of identification will be accepted as long as it is clearly legible. Hand-written information will not be accepted.
Below is a list of accepted forms of identification. You will need to bring only one of each type as proof – for example, a passport and a rates notice.
Photo Identification
- State issued identification (driver’s licence, photo card, etc.)
- Passport
- Student ID
Guardian Identification
- Medicare card
- Family insurance card
- Adoption/fostering papers
- Exchange student agency letter
Address Identification
- State issued identification (driver’s licence, photo card, etc.)
- Rates notice
- Utility account (water, electricity, gas, phone, etc.)
- Bank or credit card statement
- Pension card
- Student transport card
- Any other official documentation with current residential address
Borrowing and Renewing
You can:
- Borrow up to a total of 35 items on one library card
- Borrow and return at any City of Ryde Library (exceptions apply*)
You must have your library card with you to borrow.
Items can also be renewed online via our catalogue, over the phone or by emailing us. To see the contact details for your local City of Ryde Library, please go to our Visit Us page. We ask that you have your library card number on hand.
With our automatic renewal system, eligible items will be renewed automatically 2 days before their due date. Renewals will not occur if the item is reserved, has exceeded the renewal limit, or if your library card has incurred fines.
From 1 July 2023, we are removing overdue fines for all returned items. Find out more
Loan Periods
| Collection |
Loan Period |
Loan Limit |
Renewals |
| Books |
3 weeks |
None (as long as total borrowed items is 35 or less) |
2 renewals |
| DVDs (TV Series) |
3 weeks |
| Talking Books |
3 weeks |
| CDs |
3 weeks |
| Graphic Novels |
3 weeks |
| Kids Magazines |
3 weeks |
| DVDs (Movies) |
1 week |
| Magazines |
1 week |
We also have special collections that have their own specific loan limits and renewal restrictions.
| Collection |
Loan Period |
Loan Limit |
Renewals |
| Fast Reads |
1 week |
3 |
No renewals |
| HSC |
1 week |
8 |
No renewals |
| Book Club Kits |
6 weeks |
3 |
Conditional |
| Languages other than English (LOTE) |
3 weeks |
8 |
2 renewals |
| Inter-Library Loan |
2 weeks |
8 |
Conditional |
| Toys* |
3 weeks |
3 |
1 renewal |
| Science kits* |
3 weeks |
3 |
1 renewal |
* Toys and Science Kits can only be returned to the branch from where they were borrowed.
Reserving
Reservations can be placed on items that are currently:
- On loan
- On order
- Available on the shelf.
Reservations cannot be placed on Toys, Science Kits or Fast Reads.
Placing reservations is a free service to library members and you can have 10 active reservations at any one time. You can reserve items from any of our five City of Ryde Libraries and have them sent to be picked up at any of our five City of Ryde Libraries as well.
You can make a reservation online via our catalogue or by phone.
Phone
- Call any City of Ryde Library during opening hours
- Have your library card number ready
- Have the details (title, author, etc.) of the item you want to reserve
- Choose your preferred pick up location.
Online
- Go to our online catalogue and log into your account
- Search for the items you want to reserve, and then check the box next to each title. You can reserve multiple items on the same page
- Click on “Options” on the top grey bar and choose “Reserve Selections”
- Select your preferred pickup location. Change locations by clicking the “Change Location” button and choose from the dropdown list
- All other details are optional and do not need to be completed
- Click “Continue”.
You will receive a reservation notice through email or the post to inform you that it is ready to pick up.
Mailed notices will take a few days to get to you, so we suggest that all customers provide us with an active email (if possible) to receive faster notifications.
Reservations are kept for 10 days (including weekends) from the day they are allocated to you, after which they will expire.