Library Membership

Library Card Registration


A library membership is required to borrow from the library’s collection and access many library services, including using public access computers, printing and scanning, and digital library resources. A library card number is also required to manage your account, place requests, and renew items online or over the phone.

Any person who wishes to access library services may register for a card at no charge. Identification is not required in order to register for a library card; however, registrants must provide at least one point of contact (e.g. phone number, mailing address, email address). Anyone aged 14 or older is fully responsible for the use of their adult library card. Children 13 and under must have the permission of their parent or guardian to register for a library card. By granting their permission, that adult is agreeing to take full responsibility for use of the child’s card.

Same Page

Cape Breton Regional Library (CBRL) is part of Same Page, a partnership of eight regional libraries from across Nova Scotia that allows library patrons to have an equal opportunity to connect to library resources for learning, discovery, and improved quality of life.

Your library card may be used at any of the 60 participating Same Page library locations in Nova Scotia. CBRL patrons can borrow and place holds on items from any Same Page library. For more information on Same Page, please visit http://www.samepagens.ca/

Borrow Anywhere, Return Anywhere

CBRL participates in the Libraries, Archives and Museums Nova Scotia (LAMNS) Borrow Anywhere Return Anywhere (BARA) initiative, which means that CBRL items can be returned to any public library, university library, or community college library in Nova Scotia. Please note that there are some exceptions; snowshoes and other equipment must be returned to the branch from which they were borrowed.

CBRL also accepts returns of items from other libraries in the province. Patrons may experience a delay in their account information being updated if items are returned using the BARA system.

For a full list of BARA participating libraries, please visit: https://lamns.ca/initiatives/borrow-anywhere-return-anywhere-bara/bara-participating-libraries/

Search and Browse

Visit the library’s catalogue at https://samepagecbrl.bibliocommons.com/ to browse and search the collection, place holds, renew your items, rate and review titles, and see what’s new.

Books & Much More

With your library membership you can borrow a variety of items & equipment, including snowshoes, radon detectors, light therapy lamps, energy meters, GPS units, board games, and more. Browse CBRL’s Library of Things to learn more.

Library Account

To access your library account and digital library services, you must log in with your library card number and PIN. The library card number is located on the back of the card. Upon registration, you will be provided with a temporary PIN. To maintain security, it’s a good idea to change the PIN from the temporary one that was issued. To activate your card for online use and change your temporary PIN, please visit www.cbrl.ca and select Login/My Account.

The library card holder is responsible for monitoring their library card activity, including items checked out and due dates. Patrons can access their account information online, through CBRL’s catalogue. Patrons who cannot or prefer not to access their account online can check card activity by contacting library staff by phone or email or visiting a branch in person.

Patrons with an email address listed in their account will receive email notifications to alert them of the following:

  • Upcoming due dates
  • Confirmation of item renewal
  • Overdue notices
  • Holds available for pick up
  • Membership renewal

Patrons who do not have an email address listed in their account will receive telephone notifications when holds are available for pick up, and notices by mail if they have overdue items.

Borrowing Terms & Limits

For most library items, the loan period is three weeks. Books, DVDs, and CD audiobooks can be borrowed for a period of three weeks.

Please note that loan periods may vary for special items like equipment. Patrons will be notified of these at the time of check out.

Loan periods for bookmobile patrons and for institutional memberships may vary.

There is no limit on the number of regular circulating items a patron can borrow. Limits may apply to special items, such as equipment, and use of CBRL’s digital library services as established by the digital content providers.

Renew

Most items you check out from the library will automatically renew up to three times, unless another library patron has placed a hold on the item or the item has already been renewed three times. Interlibrary loans and equipment such as snowshoes are not eligible for renewal and patrons will be notified at the time of check out.

Return

Books, audiobooks, DVDS and Blu-Ray discs can be returned to any branch or the bookmobile. Several library branches have return drops that are accessible 24/7.

All equipment and other items from the Library of Things collection must be returned to the branch from which they were borrowed. Equipment must be returned to a library staff member during our regular hours of operation. Please do not place any equipment in the return drops.

Holds

You can place a hold on almost any item in the Same Page catalogue. Certain material, such as reference items for in-library only use, are not eligible for holds.

Physical Items

You will be notified when the item is ready for pick-up at your preferred library. Items will be held for you for ten (10) days. For bookmobile patrons, items will be held until your next scheduled stop.

Digital Items

You will receive an email or mobile device notification when digital items are available to download.

Going on vacation?

You can log in to your account to temporarily pause or deactivate your holds so you won’t lose your place on the wait list. Please note that holds that are already available for pick up cannot be modified by patrons through the online catalogue. Contact your library for further assistance.

Overdue, Lost, or Damaged Items

The library has eliminated overdue fines. No fines are charged for material returned after the due date.

Any item 28 days past the due date will automatically be considered lost and the replacement cost will be added to the patron’s account as a bill. If an item is returned, the replacement cost will be removed from the patron’s account.

A patron’s library account will be blocked and they will be unable to check out more items if they have:

  • $30.00 or more in bills to be paid; or
  • 20 or more overdue items still checked out.

Damaged Items

If a library item is damaged to the extent that it cannot be put back into circulation, the patron should return the item and notify library staff. The library does not pursue payment for accidentally damaged materials that are returned by patrons. Items intentionally damaged will be charged the full replacement cost.

If a patron returns an item that has been damaged accidentally, the library will not charge a fee but will gratefully accept any voluntary payments to help cover the replacement cost.

Further Information and Questions


If you have any questions or concerns about the library’s policies or procedures, please contact us at info@cbrl.ca.

Register for a Library Card

Additional Library Policies