Membership Regulations, Terms and Conditions

1. Any person with a valid public library card from any library authority in the country can reserve and borrow items from Dublin City Libraries. Some digital content and services are only available to patrons with a valid Dublin City Libraries card. Please see our eResources page for details.
2. Any person living or working/studying in Dublin City or County or anyone with a valid public library card from any library authority in the country may apply for a Dublin City Libraries card. Although anyone with a valid public library card from any library authority in the country can reserve and borrow items from Dublin City Libraries, a valid Dublin City library card is needed to access some digital content and services such as Freegal, TumbleBook, OED etc. Please see our eResources page for details.
3. In order to join a person must:
   a) Complete an official application form online, or in person in a branch library.
   b) Validate membership by visiting a library branch and presenting photographic identification (who you are) and proof of residency (where you live)
   - Acceptable forms of photographic ID include a passport; driver's licence; student card; young person's Garda age card ID; a staff ID card issued by an employer.
   - Acceptable form of recent (within last six months) proof of current address include a recent bill for gas, electricity, telephone, mobile phone; a bank statement.
   c) If for any reason you are unable to provide ID and/or proof of address, please contact your local library who will sort something out.

Children and young people under the age of eighteen years who wish to join must get the permission of a parent or guardian who must sign the necessary consent form at any library branch. Parents/guardians are responsible for their children's selections and library materials and services, including use of the library and access to the Internet.

5. The main categories of membership are:
a) Adult – access to all library collections and to the Internet.
b) Child under 12 – access to the children's library (including eResources), to DVDs up to a PG rating, video games rated 3 and/or 7 depending on age, and to children's Internet services when accompanied by parent/guardian.
c) Young Adult 12-14 – access to the children’s and young adult library (including eResources), to DVDs up to a 12 rating, video games up to a 12 rating, and to children's Internet services with parental permission.
d) Young Adult 15-17 – access to the adult library (including eResources), to DVDs up to 15 rating, video games up to a 12 or 16 rating depending on age, and to internet services with parental permission.
e) Young Adult Plus: access to the adult library (including eResources); to DVDs and video games in line with the borrower’s age, and to Internet services.

6. Everyone using the services of Dublin City Council's public library system must agree to abide by the terms and conditions (see below) as from time to time set down by Dublin City Council.

7. People who wish to use the Dublin and Irish Collections and City Archives Reading Room at Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street, need to get a separate Research Card.

The Reading Room (Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street) Terms of Membership

1. The Reading Room is open to all readers holding a current Research Card, issued by Dublin City Libraries and available on application to all parties who wish to consult the Dublin City Library and Archive collections.
2. Library and archive materials may not be borrowed and may not be removed from the Reading Room by readers. Readers may access collections by completing a request form, which is available from the Reading Room Issue Desk. Items requested will be brought to your designated table.
3. Readers should note that a last call for materials system is in place for retrieval of some holdings. To avoid disappointment early requests for retrieval of items are advised. Advance requests may be made, details from Reading Room Issue Desk.
4. Readers are required to take responsibility for items issued to them, to safeguard them while in use, and to return them to the Reading Room Issue Desk when they have finished consulting them.
5. As library and archive materials are fragile and often irreplaceable, readers are requested not to write on them, not to lean on them, and not to place any object on top of them.
6. Readers are requested to take notes only in pencil, or by using a laptop computer. Pencils are available at the Reading Room Issue Desk if required, and a power source for computers is available at each table, where you will also find a switch to turn on the lamp at your table.
7. To avoid disturbing other readers, conversations should be kept to a minimum, and mobile phones and pagers should be silenced.
8. Requests to have library and archive materials photocopied must be submitted in writing on a photocopy order form, which is available at the Reading Room Issue Desk. This is in accordance with copyright legislation. However, the right to refuse to photocopy items is reserved if this is likely to cause damage to books and archives. Permission to reproduce or publish copyright materials must be sought and obtained by the reader in writing from the relevant copyright holder. For copyright reasons, readers may not use their own cameras, scanners or other personal copying equipment in the Reading Room.
9. Dublin City Library and Archive is a No Smoking building throughout, including the Restrooms. Please note that smoke detectors are in operation throughout the building. Food and drink are not permitted in the Reading Room.
10. Dublin City Libraries reserves the right to amend, alter or add to the above Terms of Membership at any time. Notification of such amendment, alteration or addition will be placed in the Reading Room and will be considered binding on all readers.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions are subject to change without notice.

Registered members* of Dublin City Council Libraries must abide by the following terms and conditions:

1. Members agree to take good care of all library materials borrowed and, with the exception of children's material, agree to reimburse Dublin City Council for the cost of any loss or damage to these materials.
2. Members agree to pay promptly any charges associated with the use of library facilities, materials and services.
3. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for their children's selections and use of library materials and services, including access to the internet and children's behaviour on library premises.
4. Members are required to advise library staff, as soon as possible, of any changes in membership details or loss of library card.
5. Members are required to bring their library card with them when visiting the library as it is needed in order to borrow items or use the computer facilities. If you do not have the card with you, you will be required to show some photographic ID before you can borrow an item or use the computer facilities.
6. Members may be issued with a PIN and/or password to access online services. Members must ensure that the PIN/password is not shared with anyone else, written on a library card or anywhere that would compromise the security of the PIN/password.
7. Members must at all times observe Dublin City Council’s Code of Conduct while using the library facilities and obey the lawful direction of library staff. See also the Customer Charter. 
8. Members must comply with the conditions of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000.
9. Members using the Dublin City Library and Archive Reading Room for research purposes must comply with the additional terms & conditions that apply.

*These terms & conditions also apply to persons who are using the services of Dublin City Council’s public libraries as members of a library authority participating in the national shared library management system.