You can get a library card for free by visiting any of our
branches, you just need to bring two forms of identification with you and one of these must have your name and current residential address on it. If you are under 18 years of age you will need a parent or guardian to sign for your membership with their identification. Alternatively you can join
online and have your library card posted to a valid postal address. For more information about library membership check out our
Become a Member page or phone or visit one of our branches.
We welcome membership from people who live, work and regularly travel in the Newcastle region. We require that applicants submit their current details including; name, age, address and email address to receive membership.
Individuals residing overseas are not eligible to join the library online due to the licencing agreements we have with our database and digital collection providers.
You can use your library card to borrow from any of our nine Newcastle branches, access a full list of hours, locations and contact information on the
Our Branches page. In addition to this your card can also be used at Port Stephens and Dungog libraries, please visit their individual council websites for hours, locations and contact information.
To find out what you can borrow, how long you can have items for and what other services and resources your membership gives you access to visit the
How To: and
Our Collections pages.
Yes, if your book or other item is overdue we charge you 50 cents per day per item, up to a maximum of $20 per item, or a maximum of $5 for magazines. Please note that overdue fees are only charged on adult membership cards. You will be unable to borrow or renew items, or place a reserve on any item until your total overdue charges are less than $20. See our
Library Fees & Charges page for a full list of our fees.
You can renew items checked out on your library card up to three times, as long as no one else has placed a hold on them. High demand items such as popular fiction and HSC study guides are listed as Popular Items and cannot be renewed. You can renew your items at your
local branch,
online, on our Newcastle Libraries app or by phone: 02 4974 5300.
You can borrow from our branches without your library card if you have another form of identification with you, such as a drivers licence, pension card, or other photo ID. If your library card is lost or stolen you need to report it to us and replace it within a month to continue accessing our services.