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Sault Ste. Marie Public Library

Get a Library Card

Who can get a library card?
All residents of Sault Ste. Marie, Garden River, Batachawana, and Contracting Communities (see below) are eligible for a free library card. Anyone who is not a resident of Sault Ste. Marie or one of our contracting communities can get a membership for an annual fee.

Memberships must be renewed annually by presenting proof of address at any Sault Ste. Marie Public Library branch.

How do I get a library card?
To get a library card, bring one piece of photo identification, or two pieces of non-photo identification showing your name and current local address to any Sault Ste. Marie Library branch.

Accepted forms of identification include:

  • Driver’s License
  • Health Card
  • Ontario Photo Card
  • Passport
  • Student Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Property Tax Bill
  • Utility Bill
  • Any other valid identification that contains your name and current address

How can I get a card for my child?
Children under the age of 12 require a parent or legal guardian's signature and address identification to obtain a library card. The parent or guardian signing the card is responsible for all items borrowed. Youth age 12 and older can obtain a library card using valid school identification.

What can you do with a library card?
While anyone may use many of the library materials and services, your library card allows you to:

  • Borrow books, DVDs, Blu-rays, video games, magazines, and more.
  • Download eAudiobooks, eBooks, stream movies and TV shows
  • Reserve a computer
  • Sign up for library programs
  • Access your account online to renew loans, and place/cancel holds
  • Access research databases and discover a wealth of information from academic journals

For more information about the library collection and services, click here.

What if I don’t live in Sault Ste. Marie?
Anyone who does not live in Sault Ste. Marie, or whose primary residence is outside the City of Sault Ste. Marie, and they do not pay property taxes to the city, is considered a non-resident and they must pay for an annual non-resident membership.

Non-Resident Membership Fees

For a complete list of membership fees, please check our Fines and Fees schedule which is updated each year.

What is a Contracting Community?
Contracting communities have an agreement with the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library to provide their residents with free library services. The contracting communities for 2022 are:

  • Aweres
  • Goulais & District
  • Searchmont
  • Tarbutt and Tarbutt Additional
  • Laird Township
  • MacDonald, Meredith & Aberdeen

Lost or stolen library card
Report all lost or stolen library cards to (705) 759-5231 or visit any library location as soon as possible as you are responsible for all items borrowed on your card.  There is a $3.00 replacement fee for lost or stolen cards.

Temporary Online Account
You can apply for a temporary online account with the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library which will grant you limited access to library services and materials.  

  • Temporary online accounts are limited to accessing our online databases only.
  • When your registration information has been verified, a library card number will be e-mailed to you and your card will be sent to your home address with additional information about library services.
  • To upgrade any temporary online account to full-service membership, you must visit any library branch with the necessary identification.

To apply for a library card online please enter your information below and click Submit.

For more information about library membership and services please contact our Circulation Department at (705) 759-5231 or email lib.circ4@cityssm.on.ca

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