As Gaeilge
Joining the Library
The regulations governing registration for membership of the library are as follows:
- Any person who lives or works in Dublin City or County is entitled to join at any branch of the Dublin City Council Public Library System.
- Adult residents listed on the Register of Electors for Dublin City or County, and commercial ratepayers to Dublin City Council or South Dublin, Fingal or Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils, not so registered, may join on their own guarantee subject to production of evidence of personal identification and residency or of their being commercial ratepayers.
- Adult applicants for membership who are not resident in Dublin City or County or who are not commercial ratepayers to Dublin City Council or South Dublin, Fingal or Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Councils, will require their application to be guaranteed by a person who is entitled to join on their own guarantee as noted in 1 and 2 above.
- Persons under the age of eighteen years require the signature of a parent or guardian, who is entitled to join under their own guarantee.
- For adults not eligible to join at either 1. or 2. above, a reference ticket is available on production of personal identification.
- Membership of the Reading Room, Research & Reference services carries some special terms and conditions.
Identification
Two forms of identification are required:
- A recent proof of name and permanent Dublin address, e.g. utility bill, bank statement. No hand-written letters are accepted.
- The second form of identification is for name only, e.g. bank card, student card, passport, etc.
Persons under 18 require the signature of a guarantor. Please ask in your local library for further details.
Join the Library Online
See a book or DVD you would like to borrow but not yet a library member? Registering online right now will enable you to reserve one item immediately and collect it later at the branch of your choice. Once reserved, the library will contact you when the item becomes available.
Registering online is a quick way to become a member of your local library. Upon registering, you will receive a temporary borrower number, after which you have 3 months to call to your local library with 2 forms of identification to collect your new library card.
Borrowing
You can borrow books, cassettes, CDs, DVDs and videos. You can borrow 12 items on an adult ticket, and 6 on a junior ticket.
Charges
Membership of the libraries is FREE.
Fines are charged on overdue materials:
- Books, talking books, music CDs: 50c per week or portion of a week plus relevant postage.
- DVDs: 75c per night plus relevant postage.
- Further borrowing is not permitted if the total of fines due reaches €15.
Other charges:
- Reserves from Dublin City Libraries’ stock: 50c per item
- Reserves sourced from other Irish public libraries via BorrowBooks.ie: 50c per item
- Reserves from other external sources (e.g. the British Library): €5.00 per item
- Photocopying: 20c per A4 sheet
- Computer printouts: 20c per A4 sheet
- Specialist photocopying: 75c per sheet
- Photocopying Cards (where applicable): 5 units €1.00; 10 units €2.00; 20 units €4.00
Reserving an Item
You may reserve library materials from your local branch that are currently on loan or materials only available in another branch. To reserve online, you need your library borrower number along with your Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you don't know your PIN, please call to your local library.
BorrowBooks.ie may be used to search the online catalogues and websites of Irish public libraries and reserve material not held by Dublin City Public Libraries.
For reservation charges, SEE Charges above.
If you are not already a member of the library you may register online (SEE Join the Library Online above). Registering online entitles you to reserve one item at the time of registration.
Renewing an Item
An item may be renewed in person, by telephone, or online, providing it is not required by another person. If renewing by telephone, quote the number of the item (above the bar-code) or the number of your membership card. To renew online, enter your library borrower number along with your Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you don't know your PIN, please call to your local library.
Self-Service Kiosks
We have self-service kiosks in Ballyfermot, Pembroke, Rathmines and Raheny libraries. The kiosks are very simple to use with on-screen, illustrated instructions and touch-screen operation. Borrowing a book is as simple as:
- Pressing the on-screen “Borrow” button
- Scanning your library card
- Placing your books on the kiosk’s shelf
That’s it! The books are issued to your card.