Borrowing
Use your card at any branch of the Surrey Public Library to borrow books, music CDs, CD-ROMs, videos, books on tape and back issues of magazines.
New borrowers may have up to 10 items out at any one time. Regular borrowers may have up to 50 items out at any one time.
To ensure that materials are available for everyone, we ask that customers limit their borrowing. The limit of items per category per library card is as follows:
Picture books - 50
Reference books - 3
Videos - 10
Compact discs - 35
CD-ROMs - 10
DVDs - 5
Other material - 50
Newspapers, references books and current issues of magazines must be used in the library.
You may also borrow from other library systems. The Public Library InterLINK system allows you to access the collections of neighbouring library systems in the Lower Mainland. You can borrow in Surrey and return elsewhere or borrow elsewhere and return materials in Surrey all with your Surrey Public Library card.
The new BC OneCard service allows BC residents to use all of BC's public libraries as they travel around the province. BC residents from outside the Lower Mainland are able to borrow all materials except book club kits. All of the borrowing policies for Surrey residents apply except that BC OneCard customers may not place holds. Click here for more information.
Loan Period
Here's how long you may keep your items:
Most books and CDs | 3 weeks |
| Magazines | 3 weeks |
High demand materials | 2 weeks |
Videos, CD-ROMs and DVD | 3 weeks |
Superloan (Best sellers) | 1 week |
Renewing
Most items may be renewed. If no one else is waiting for the items you have borrowed, you may renew them up to two times. You can renew on the website (click on Catalogue/My Account) or through the automated telephone line (Telecirc) at 604-502-6333.
Returning
You may return materials to any branch – no matter which branch you borrowed them from. Return chutes are available after the library closes (except Guildford: returns chutes are open 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. only) for your convenience. Books should be deposited spine first.
Placing holds
You may place a hold on an item for pickup at your favourite branch, or add your name to a waiting list for popular items. Place holds on the Library computers, or on your home computer by browsing the catalogue on the library's website. You may have 25 holds active at any one time.
We will contact you when your item is available for pickup. You must pick-up your hold within 10 days or cancel it. Holds that have not been captured may be cancelled by calling 604-502-6333, by using the library catalogue on the website, or by asking a staff member. Click here to place holds.
Don't Be Late
The Library wants to offer you the best possible selection of books, CDs, books on tape, and videos. We can't do that unless borrowed materials are returned on time. We charge these fees for overdue items (per item, per day)
Adult materials, including books, magazines, CDs, audio tapes and video tapes - $0.30
Junior materials, including books, magazines, CDs, audio tapes and video tapes - $0.10
Special loans, including Superloans and Reference loans - $1.00
CD-ROMs - $0.30
DVDs - $1.00 for Adult DVDs, $0.50 for Children's DVDs
Book Club kits - $1.00
Interlibrary loans - $2.00
Anyone with $10.00 or more in overdue fines will have their borrowing privileges suspended until the fees are paid. Lost or damaged items are subject to replacement costs, processing fees, and any overdue fees.
Receive your Library Account notices through Email
Receive holds, overdue and advance date due reminder notices through email.
Get a message when holds are ready for pick up. To protect your privacy, we can only check out items on the card used to place the hold(s).
Receive courtesy reminders that your books or other library materials should be returned, 3 days before they are due
Find out if you have any overdue items or fines.
To register for the email notices, email us at splemail@surrey.ca We need your full name, Library barcode number and telephone number. Please tell us in the subject line if this is an new sign up for email notification or a change of email address. You will receive a confirmation of registration via email.
Questions:
Can I renew my books via email? No, but you can renew your materials on the Library website by clicking on My Account.
What if I don’t have an email address? Ask staff at the Information Desk. They can show you how to get a FREE email account.
* PLEASE NOTE that date due reminders are for your convenience only, sent 3 days before your books and other items are due. You are responsible for returning library material on time.
Sign Me Up!
You may get your own Surrey Public card at any branch of the library. It's FREE!
Simply present library staff with appropriate identification, showing your name and current address. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and will need to show identification such as a British Columbia Care Card in order to obtain a library card.
Acceptable ID
Driver’s License (current)
BC ID (current issue date)
Passport
Permanent Residence Card
Canadian Citizenship Card
Credit Card (with signature)
Bank Card (with signature)
Care Card
Pharmacare Card
School ID (current school year)
Birth Certificate
Aboriginal Status Card
For proof of address we accept:
Driver’s License (current)
BC ID (current issue date)
Envelope (postmarked within one month and addressed to applicant)
Property Tax Bill (current)
Hydro Bill (current)
Telephone Bill (current)
Vehicle Insurance Registration (in name of applicant)
Rent or Lease Agreement (signed within one month of applying)
Personal information obtained for membership purposes is governed by the guidelines outlined in the provincial Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
Lost or Stolen cards
If your Surrey Public library card is lost of stolen, you must report it immediately to any branch. The fee to replace a lost or stolen card is $2.00.
Changing your name, address or telephone number?
Please notify us of any changes in name, address or telephone number in person at any Library branch.
Library Secrets
Paperbacks: Most paperback books do not appear in our catalogue because their shelf life is short. Instead they are shelved by subject, such as mystery, romance, or science fiction.
Newspapers & Magazines: Current issues are available at all branches. You may also browse the full text of newspapers and magazine back issues on our website. Click on "Magazines & Newspapers".
DVDs & Videos: We carry classics, as well as educational, travel, biographical and how to productions. We also have a great selection for children!