Getting a library card
Library membership is free for residents of St. Marys and Perth South with proof of address such as a driver's license or bill.
Residents of Huron County, Middlesex County, and Oxford County may also obtain a card through a reciprocal lending agreement between the libraries of each county.
Visitors may purchase a temporary library card for $7.00 per month.
We Are Now Fine Free
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Library did not charge any late fees for materials. We liked the idea so much we've decided to make the change permanent! Beginning April 4th, 2022, over 99% of the Perth County Information Network collections (North Perth, Perth East, St. Marys, Stratford, and West Perth) will be FINE FREE! Furthermore, existing late fees on borrower cards have been forgiven.
Borrowers are still encouraged to return their materials on time. Materials will continue to have their regular loan period and will be automatically renewed up to three times, if the item is not on hold. Libraries will continue to send reminders to customers when items are past due. Long overdue items will be billed and starting May 2022, a material recovery service will assist in the retrieval of lost materials.
The following items are now fine free:
- Print books (except the Xpress collection)
- Books on CD
- Magazines
- DVD's (except the Xpress collection)
- CNIB materials
- Video games
Fines still apply to:
- Xpress books and DVDs
- Interlibrary Loan (ILLO) materials
- Book Club Kits
- Mobile Hotspots
- Park Passes
- Non-Traditional Collection items like Tennis Rackets, Laptops, SAD Lamps
Checkout Limits & Renewals
The library now provides automatic renewal for your materials. Most of your items will renew up to three times as long as they are not on request for another customer. See information about automatic renewals below.
Xpress DVDs and Books are high-demand materials available for checkout - with no waits! These items are non-renewable, non-holdable, and have shortened loan periods.
Loan Period Rules
| Kind of Item |
Limit |
Loan Period |
Fee Per Day |
| Adult Books |
no limit |
3 weeks |
no fines |
| Children's Books |
no limit |
3 weeks |
no fines |
| High Demand Items* |
no limit |
2 weeks |
no fines |
| Xpress Books |
2 per card |
1 week |
$2 per day |
| Books on CD / Kits |
no limit |
3 weeks |
no fines |
| Magazines |
no limit |
1 week |
no fines |
| Music CDs |
no limit |
3 weeks |
no fines |
| DVDs |
no limit |
1 week |
no fines |
| Xpress DVDs |
2 per card |
2 days |
$2 per day |
| Park Passes |
1 per card |
1 week |
$1 per day |
| Wireless Hotspot |
1 per card |
1 week |
$1 per day |
| Book Club Kits |
1 per card |
5 weeks |
$1 per day |
Auto-Renewal
With Auto Renewals, items on your account will automatically renew 3 days before they are due. All library members will be signed up for Auto-Renewal but you may opt-out at any time by contacting the library. Most physical items borrowed (books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs) are eligible for up to 3 auto-renewals.
The following are not eligible for auto-renewal:
- Items that have reached their renewal limit
- Items another customer has requested to borrow (items on hold)
- ILLO items (special items borrowed from another library system)
- Xpress items (2-day DVDs and 7-day books)
- Downloadable and streaming materials (e.g. eBooks and eMagazines)
- Book Club Kits
- Hotspots
- Park Passes
- Reference materials
Customers will receive a notice 3 days before their items are due indicating which items have been renewed and which have not. You can also check the status of your items at anytime using the online catalogue.
Lost & Damaged Materials
Customers have 6 months to return lost materials. If materials cannot be found or are damaged beyond use, customers must pay the replacement cost of the item plus a $5.00 processing.
Checking The Status Of Your Items Out
You can check the status of your items at anytime using the online catalogue.
- Log into your account using your library card or username and your PIN (last 4 digits of your phone number)
- Click on My SMPL then Checked Out.
- You will then see the due dates of your items.
- If something is coming due, click in the checkbox beside it and click on the Renew button.
You can also call the library at 519-284-3346 during our open hours and ask a library staff member to check your due dates and renew the items.
Email & Text Reminders
Our Courtesy Reminder service notifies users by email that their items are due back in three days. Please contact the library at 519-284-3346 to take advantage of this useful service. A reminder that this is a courtesy service - returning your items on time is your responsibility.
