Library Plus (non-traditional collections)

Welcome to Library+

The St. Marys Public Library is proud to offer free non-traditional collection items and unique experiences to our patrons under the Library+ umbrella. Find more information about what we offer by clicking through the table below.

Items are located at the Library. Much of the Library+ collection can be reserved on our online catalogue BiblioCommons. Use of these items are restricted to St. Marys Library cardholders.

Crokinole Board

Year-Round Availability

Borrow our in-house Crokinole board for some fun. In the good weather, feel free to take the board outside and play on the chess table in the Reading Garden.

Birdwatching Kits

Year-round Availability

Each birdwatching kit contains binoculars, a bird-identification guide, and a National Geographic bird book. The loan period is 3 weeks.

Fishing Equipment

Summer Availability

Sponsored by OFAH. Borrow fishing rods and tackle boxes. Both fishing rods and tackle boxes can be borrowed for 7 days at a time. These materials are available thanks to a partnership with Tackle Share

Yak Shack Kayak Rentals

Available May through August

Discover St. Marys' waterways with our free kayak loan program through the Yak Shack! With six-single person kayaks and paddles available, you can explore the Thames River and Trout Creek waterways while you paddle. With approximately 5KM paddling routes, you can experience the Grand Trunk Trail's Sarnia bridge from a new perspective, or cruise through downtown along Trout Creek. Kayaks can be picked up and put into the Thames River at the Yak Shack, located at the North end of Milt Dunnell Field in Lion's Park near the Pavilion.

Light Therapy Lamp

Year-round Availability

Stimulate the health benefits of the sun with our portable light therapy lamps. Each lamp can be borrowed for 4 days at a time.

Parks Passes (UTRCA, Provincial Parks, GRCA)

Grand River Conservation Authority

Grand River Conservation Authority passes are available for the spring / summer / fall seasons and are borrowed for two days

These passes allow for day use for one vehicle or up to 4 persons walking or biking
The passes are first come, first served and cannot be renewed nor reserved for hold
The passes must be returned to the St. Marys library and fines will be incurred if they are kept past the due date
Passes must be returned directly to the circulation desk during open hours.
If the pass is lost, the borrower will be responsible for the replacement cost
These passes can be used at Belwood Lake, Brant, Byng Island, Conestogo Lake, Elora Gorge, Elora Quarry, Guelph Lake, Laurel Creek, Luther Marsh, Pinehurst Lake, Rockwood, Shade's Mills conservation areas.
Find more information about GRCA on their website.

Provincial Parks Passes

Provincial Parks passes are available year-round and can be borrowed for one week.

These passes allow day use for one carload of people.
The passes are first come, first served and cannot be renewed nor reserved for hold.
The passes must be returned to the St. Marys library and fines will be incurred if they are kept past the due date.
Passes must be returned directly to the circulation desk during open hours.
If the pass is lost, the borrower will be responsible for the replacement cost.
These passes can be used at any Provincial Park.
Check out the Parks Ontario website for more information about park activities and opening dates and times.

Upper Thames Conservation Authority

Upper Thames Conservation Passes are available for the spring / summer / fall season only and are borrowed for two days

These passes allow for day use for one vehicle or up to 4 persons walking or biking
The passes are first come, first served and cannot be renewed nor reserved for hold
The passes must be returned to the St. Marys library and fines will be incurred if they are kept past the due date
Passes must be returned directly to the circulation desk during open hours.
If the pass is lost, the borrower will be responsible for the replacement cost
These passes can be used at Pittock, Wildwood, and Fanshawe conservation areas.
Find more information about UTRCA on their website.

Pickleball Paddle Kits

Year-round Availability

Each pickleball kit includes: 2 pickleball rackets and 4 balls. This kit can be borrowed for 7 days at a time.

Seed Library

Year-round Availability

Take whatever seeds you need from our seed library. Simply remember us at the end of the season if you have any left-over seeds to donate back to the Library. All seeds are free.

Snowshoes

Winter Availability

Each snowshoe kit contains a pair of snowshoes and two poles. Please visit BiblioCommons to determine the right size of shoes for you based on your weight. The loan period is 2 days.

Tennis Equipment

Year-round Availability

Each tennis set includes: 2 adult tennis rackets and

3 tennis balls. This set can be borrowed for 7 days at a time.

Portable WiFi

Year-round Availability

Going to the cottage, camping or working on the road? Take a wi-fi connection with you! The wi-fi hubs available to borrow from the library work just like a home wi-fi connection. Simply connect your device (laptop, smartphone, tablet, etc.) to the hub and use it like normal. Ask a Library staff member for more information.

Here's what you need to know about borrowing a hub:

Wi-Fi hotspots circulate for 7 days (one week)
Wi-Fi hotspots can be placed on hold by visiting our online catalogue and searching "hotspot".
Hotspots cannot be renewed
You must wait at least 24 hours after returning a hotspot to check out another one.
You must be 18 years or older and in possession of your own St. Marys Library card
There is a late fee of $1/ day
Replacement fee of $200 for a lost/damaged unit
Replacement fee of $15 for a lost/damaged cord or case
Hotspots will be deactivated if they become overdue
Hotspot MUST be returned to the circulation desk

London Children's Museum

Year-round Availability

Borrow a London Children's Museum Family Pass for children to learn and explore the exhibits. Passes are borrowed for two days and will admit up to five people from the same household.

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Museum Pass

Summer Availability

Borrow a pass to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. This pass is borrowed for two days.