Library cards

Library cards are free and provide access to a variety of online resources, including e-books and audiobooks. 

Applying for a library card | Rights and responsibilities | Expired library cards and address check | Lost cards | Change of address or PIN | Barcodes on Mobile devices | BC One Card

Applying for a library card

Library cards are free to:

  • all people who live or own property in the City of Burnaby
  • all people who live within the InterLINK area
  • all people eligible for a BC OneCard

Others may obtain a library card for a fee.

You can register for a library card at any branch or by calling 604-436-5400.

Children under the age of 13 can be issued cards at the request of their parent or legal guardian.

Library card holders' rights and responsibilities

  • You can use your library card at any branch of Burnaby Public Library or any InterLINK library once you have registered it there.
  • You are responsible for all the materials borrowed on your card and for any charges on items that are lost or damaged.
  • Your library card provides internet access in the library
  • Your library ard provides personal access to licensed databases from outside the library.
  • You can use our online catalogue from home, and access your account to place requests, keep lists and renew items.

Expired library cards and address check

Adult library cards do not expire (except for subscription cards). Children's library cards expire on the cardholder's 13th birthday and teen cards on the cardholder's 19th birthday. Library cards that expired before January 1, 2010 (when these changes were made) may be renewed in person at any branch of Burnaby Public Library, or by phone.

Every three years, you will be asked to confirm your address. If your address has changed, you may be asked for verification. If you do not have proof of your new address, you may be asked for proof of address on your next visit to the library.

Lost cards

Report a lost card to any branch of BPL and we will block the card so that no one can use it. There is a $2.00 fee to replace a library card.

Change of address or PIN

If you change your address or other personal information, contact any BPL branch and we will update your record. You may change your PIN number to any four-digit number. Log in to your account, click on "My Settings" at top right, and change your PIN using the form towards the bottom of the page. When you're finished, click "Save."

Library barcodes on mobile devices

We can scan library barcodes on smartphones or other mobile devices. BPL's mobile app will generate a barcode on your mobile device, and this can be used to check out material at the service desk or self-serve checkouts. 

BC OneCard

Are you a BC resident travelling in the province? Bring identification along with your home public library card and you can register for a BC OneCard at any public library in the province. BC OneCard holders can borrow up to 10 items at a time at the Burnaby Public Library. Only five at a time can be from any one of these types of material:

  • adult books
  • children's books
  • ESL material and books with CDs or DVDs
  • spoken word cassettes or CDs
  • music CDs

The following can't be borrowed with a BC OneCard:

  • DVDs
  • reference material
  • children's seasonal books
  • two-week-loan books
  • downloadable e-books and audiobooks

As a BC OneCard holder, you can return materials to BPL, your home library or to any public library in BC. Any charges that you incur at BPL should be paid at BPL. You can use the internet with your BC OneCard. You cannot make requests, renewals, interlibrary loans, or access databases.

Your BC OneCard expires after one year.