Sign Up!

You can sign up to get your own South Shore Public Libraries card at your local library or online. You must have a library card to borrow materials. It's FREE!

All residents of Nova Scotia are eligible for a library card. Visitors may check with staff on eligibility (fees may apply).

Borrowing

• Use your library card at any location of South Shore Public Libraries to borrow books, videos, books on tape and magazines. You may borrow an unlimited numbers of items at a time.
• Reference books and newspapers may only be used in the Library.
• Talking Books are restricted to persons who find it difficult to use printed materials. Contact the library for more details.

Borrow Anywhere Return Anywhere (BARA)

Borrow Anywhere Return Anywhere (BARA) It's Here! It's your library, everywhere you are. As of September 28, 2009 you can now borrow from over a hundred libraries across the province, including public, community college and university libraries. Borrowing Gain access to tons of books, specialized collections and more! Borrow Anywhere/Return Anywhere is subject to individual libraries' procedures and policies.

To borrow items, simply bring identification and your public library card to register for a membership at any participating library. To return borrowed items, drop them off at the nearest library even if it's kilometers away from where you borrowed it!

Developed by Libraries Nova Scotia, and a collaboration of all public, college and university libraries in the province, the program creates seamless, barrier-free library access.

Loan Periods

• Most books and other materials: 3 weeks
• Videos and High demand materials: 1 week

Returning

You may return materials to any public library location or book drop in Nova Scotia — no matter where you borrowed them from. Book drops are available for after-hours returns. Detailed information on locations and book drops on the South Shore>>

Fines and Fees

Late fines are only applicable to interlibrary loans (identified by a white band upon check out).

3 week loans: If the items you borrow are more than 1 week overdue, you will receive a reminder notice.  If they are more than 4 weeks overdue, you will receive a final notice and be charged a non-refundable processing fee of $5.  If the items are more than 5 weeks overdue, you will be billed for replacement.  Replacement charges may be refunded when the items are returned.  If an item is irreparably damaged, you will by charged for replacement.

1 week loans: If the items you borrow are more than 1 day overdue, you will receive a reminder notice.  If they are more than 8 days overdue, you will receive a final notice and be charged a non-refundable processing fee of $5.  If the items are more than 15 days overdue, you will be billed for replacement.  Replacement charges may be refunded when the items are returned.  If an item is irreparably damaged, you will be charged for replacement.