To get a library card simply join the library.
Youth Membership is available to anyone aged under 19. A guarantor (parent or legal guardian) is required for those up to and including 17 years of age. 18-year-olds do not need a guarantor.
For children less than 16 years old a parent or legal guardian is required to sign the membership application and take responsibility for borrowing.
Please contact the library to report it lost
CCL Mobile Apps allows you to add multiple accounts, making it easy to manage individual accounts within the app. Find out how this feature works and get started setting up more than one account on your Android or iOS device.
This is useful if:
Download from:
Android devices - Google Play Store
The multi-accounts feature makes it easy for you to add multiple accounts to the app, switch between them from within the app, and remove accounts. The user avatar, as well as home screen personalization, provides visual identification for which account is the currently active one.
The home screen is personalized to display the active user’s full name or username (depending on the user’s display preferences).
Users can add and access multiple library cards from the My Library Cards screen. Cards are added by tapping on the ‘Add card’ button and logging in with that account.
The dot indicators correspond with the number of accounts that have been added. In the example on the left, there are two accounts. The card with the label ‘In use’ is the currently active account, and the active account is always in the first position.
An avatar at the top of the screen indicates which account is the currently active one. The avatar can be found on the following screens:
In addition to the user avatar, the bib page displays the active user’s information in the availability panel.
Tapping on the avatar activates the account switcher, which allows the user to switch to a different account. The ‘YOU’ label is displayed for the currently active account.
User information for the active account is also displayed in the Settings screen. Tapping on this takes you to the My Library Cards screen.
It is easy to add more than one account. This is done by adding cards from the My Library Cards screen.
Some additional notes:
The active account can be switched from multiple places in BiblioApps.
Additional notes:
Tapping on the user avatar brings up the account switcher. The avatar is visible on the following screens:
To switch accounts using the avatar:
Removing accounts from BiblioApps is done from the My Library Cards screen.
Additional notes:
Currently, individuals do not have the option to opt out of multi-accounts. If a user does not want anyone adding or switching to their account, a user can change their PIN. This will mean any other user attempting to switch to the account will need to remove and re-add the account with updated credentials. Note: adding an account requires both the barcode and the PIN for the account. A user cannot add an account with only the barcode.
There are two ways you can track what you have borrowed from the library:
You can check Borrowing History when you log in to your account. It automatically tracks physical items borrowed from and returned to the library. You need to turn it on to activate your borrowing history. Digital items — eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, streaming video — are not stored in borrowing history.
Login to your account and select My Settings.
Then select and enable Borrowing History in your Account Preferences.
Books, DVDs, and other items you return to the library will then start to be recorded in your Borrowing History.
You can check your Borrowing History in your account.
You will see the Recently Returned titles from your Borrowing History first.
To see more, select the View all Borrowing History option.
Another way to keep track of the books you have read is to add titles to your Completed Shelf.
Items are added to your Completed Shelf automatically if you add a rating or comment.
You can add titles manually by clicking the Add to My Shelves link from search results, or a title’s details page.
If you are on your Completed Shelf, you can click the Add New Title link, and then search for the title you want to add.
Any item you add to one of your shelves remains there until you remove it, even if the library no longer owns it.
When you are viewing your Completed, In progress, or For Later shelves, use the categories in the left sidebar to filter. For example, you can filter your For Later shelf to show only DVDs you want to watch, or see all the graphic novels in your Completed Shelf.
By default, titles are sorted by the date you added them, most recent first. By clicking the Sort by dropdown list at the top of the page, you can sort by date added, title, rating, or author.
You can include your own books on your Completed Shelf.
If the title is in your library’s catalogue, find it and add it, as above. If the library doesn't have it, try using lists to find the title and add it from there.
Go to your shelf (Completed, In progress, or For Later) and use the Manage item menu to mark a book "I own this".
Our kiosks are available in English. Some kiosks at Tūranga, Linwood Library at Eastgate, and New Brighton Library are set to te reo Māori
During Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, all māu e tuku (self issue machines) will show in Māori as their default.
You can also issue your own library items from our self-issue kiosks in the following languages:
Receipts (either printed or email) will be issued in the language selected at the self-issue kiosk at the time items are borrowed. For example, if the self-issue kiosk is set to te reo Māori the printed receipt or email (if selected) will also be in te reo Māori.
You can return items borrowed from Christchurch City Libraries to any of our branches. It doesn't matter which of our libraries you borrowed them from; you can return them to any library in the Christchurch City Libraries network.
For example, if you borrowed books and DVDs from New Brighton Library, you could return them to Aranui Library if it is more convenient.
You can request an item for our collection if we don't have a copy.
If you don't want to suggest we buy a title, but you'd still like to add it to one of your shelves (For Later, Completed, In Progress), you can search for the item under Lists instead of Keyword.
Lists created by users at other libraries can have titles that aren't in our collection. You can add the item to your shelf from here.
'Store' is a location with no public access. It provides extra storage space for the library. Most materials there can be reserved and sent to one of our libraries. 'Reference only' items can be brought in for viewing to the Research Room on Tuakiri | Identity, Level 2, Tūranga - please ask a librarian to arrange this for you.
Yes. You can pick up someone else's items and collect their holds if you present their library card.
You may also pick up someone's holds on their behalf by presenting the notification letter for those items. This notice is sent via post or email.
Members of Christchurch City Libraries may use their card at any open library in our network.
Please follow the links below to view library locations and visit our News page for the latest information about which libraries are open.
There are three ways to check this.
Check your receipt for the due date.
Contact the library.
If you have chosen a Password (PIN) for your library card, you can check your account on our website.
To choose a Password (PIN) please telephone or visit the library.
Please visit your local library with the damaged item, so that damage can be assessed.
Library members can take out up to 30 items on their library card once proof of address has been provided.
An item limit of 2 applies when you join the library without proof of address.
You are entitled to take as many videos or DVDs as your item limit allows. An item limit of 2 applies when you join the library without showing proof of address. This increases to 30 once this proof has been presented.
Books, CDs and talking books are issued for 28 days.
Magazines are issued for 14 days.
Bestseller items, DVDs, Standards, and Stories to Go bags are issued for 7 days.
Items can be renewed once. If other customers are waiting for the item it cannot be renewed.
Please see below for more information.
There are three ways of placing a hold:
Holds are free for all library members. There is a limit of 15 holds on your card.
N.B. Holds may not be placed on items in the library's Bestseller collection
If we have your email address on your record, we will send you an email to let you know that your hold is waiting for you. If we don’t have an email address for you, we will send you a letter. You can also contact us to check the status of your hold.
Holds are kept for you for 9 days from the date the hold becomes available for you. If you don’t want an item you have requested to become available when you’re unable to pick it up (eg when you are on holiday), you can suspend the hold. Suspending a hold retains your place in the queue until you’re ready to resume borrowing.
No, you cannot extend the time you borrow an item by transferring it to someone else's card. This is in fairness to others who may wish to borrow the item.
No. Reference items cannot be removed from the library.
No.Bestseller Collection items are not available to fill holds.
However, it's possible to place a hold on the same title if copies are held in the general collection. A copy from the general collection will be sent to fill your hold.
Please follow the link below to view our current charges.
Yes. You are responsible for items borrowed with your card.
This includes any items borrowed by other people using the card.
Yes.
There are self-issue machines at most of our libraries. The exceptions are: the Mobile Library, Akaroa Library, Diamond Harbour Library, Little River Library, and Lyttelton Library.
You can renew items by phone, in the library, or online using your library card and password/PIN. Renewing an item renews it for its original loan period. For pay collections such as bestsellers, CDs, DVDs, and talking books, the original loan charge to borrow the item will apply when renewing. For example, if you borrow a DVD for 7 days and are charged a fee, you need to pay the same fee again to have it renewed.
Items can be renewed once. If other customers are waiting, the item cannot be renewed.
Items obtained via interlibrary loan can be renewed in most cases. Please ring the library before your interlibrary loan is due back to arrange this. An interlibrary loan can be renewed only once.
Yes, you can. You can renew a title twice if no one else has placed a hold on it. That gives you a further two weeks each time you renew. To renew just click on the button that says Renew under items in My Loans.
Simply ask at your local library or phone the library. Interloans will be renewed once only for an additional 3 weeks from the original due date. Interloans staff will contact you if the lending library is unable to renew the item for any reason and then the item must be returned as soon as possible, i.e. the renewal is not granted. Interloans may also be recalled by the lending library. If an interloan is overdue when renewed the renewal time will be shortened.
Yes. Bestsellers can be renewed.
The original loan charge to borrow the Bestseller will be applied when you renew it.
Bestsellers can be renewed once.
Please follow the link below to view our current charges.
AWA is our new shared digital collection with Selwyn Libraries. Christchurch City Customers who are already signed into the Libby App or our classic OverDrive site are all set. They will see the collection has changed its name to AWA and will enjoy greater choice and access in this shared collection.
If you are signing into the Libby App for the first time follow the prompts to find your library.
A search for Christchurch City Libraries will guide you to our AWA collection.
Select Christchurch City Libraries from the AWA dropdown and sign in with your Library card and PIN or password
If you are new to our classic OverDrive site click sign in and select the Christchurch City Libraries option from the AWA dropdown to sign in with your Library card and PIN or password
Libby's Skip the Line collection are special copies of popular titles that we've set aside from the holds list so you can borrow them straight away. They work like our Bestseller Collection in our libraries, except they are in digital format and free! Titles in our Skip the Line collection are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you find a Skip the Line title, you can borrow it immediately but it does come with a few unique rules.
Skip the Line copies of titles:
In Libby, Skip the line copies are marked with a shamrock icon. You will see the Skip the Line list on our Libby homepage, in search results, or when browsing. There's also a Skip the line filter on the Search page.
On our OverDrive homepage you'll see our full Skip the Line collection.
If you want a longer lending period and don't mind waiting, you can still place a hold on a Skip the Line title.
Here's more information about how to place a hold on a Skip the Line title in Libby.
How can people log into the new service?
The transition will be as seamless as possible for library customers. Our Christchurch City Libraries customers who are already signed into the Libby App or our classic OverDrive site won’t need to do anything. On the 1 July, our Go Live date, they will see the collection has changed its name to AWA.
New Libby customers will follow the prompts to find their library. A search for Christchurch City Libraries will guide them to the AWA collection. Then they select Christchurch City Libraries from the AWA dropdown and sign in with their Library card. New customers to, or existing customers who've signed out of, our classic OverDrive site will also select the Christchurch City Libraries option from the AWA dropdown to sign in with their Library card.
Why won’t Christchurch residents get the same increase in access to content as Selwyn?
Due to the difference in population size the Selwyn Libraries initial base collection will be less than Christchurch’s initial base collection.
Won’t this result in more competition/longer wait time for popular titles?
Current selection and purchasing criteria is based on availability and customer demand; this will not change with the shared collection.
Why are we doing this?
Library users will have more choice due to a richer variety of content, particularly newer and more popular items. The collaboration will help to build relationships between the two organisations, encouraging sharing of ideas and learning for the enhancement of services for all library members.
How much is this going to cost?
The costs are within existing budgets.
How are you able to provide this service without it costing more?
The new service delivers better value for money through a growth in the user base and in expected collection turnover.
Is this a permanent arrangement?
This is a trial partnership lasting for a two-year period, from 1 July 2025. Over that timeframe both Selwyn Libraries and Christchurch City Libraries will conduct regular monitoring of data and usage. Parties will meet twice per annum to review the past period and forward plan. Prior to June 2027, we will review the success of the collaboration.
Why aren’t other Canterbury councils included?
If the digital access partnership is successful, other opportunities to collaborate may be considered, such as programming and events, developing shared staff professional development, or expanding the arrangement to include the other Canterbury councils.
On November 13, 2024, OverDrive retired the MP3 audiobook format from OverDrive library websites and ended support for OverDrive's desktop apps for Windows and Mac (which only worked with MP3 audiobooks).
You can listen to audiobooks using the following options:
If you're missing parts (chapters, pages, minutes, etc.) of a downloaded book, audiobook, or magazine, delete and re-download it.
.
, then Remove Download., then tap 
next to the title. This will download a fresh copy..
next to the magazine's name., tap 
next to the magazine, then Download.If re-downloading the title doesn't resolve the issue, consider reporting it to the Libby Support team.
If you have the built-in OverDrive feature on your Kobo eReader, you can borrow eBooks from our OverDrive collection directly on your device.
You'll need your library card and password (PIN) and a Wi Fi connection.
You can browse, place holds and borrow library ebooks directly on your eReader.
You can also borrow many OverDrive titles through the Libby app, OverDrive or our catalogue, and then sync your Kobo eReader to read them there.
Not all eBooks in our OverDrive collection are available through Kobo's OverDrive built-in feature. You can choose from all OverDrive ebooks that also appear in the Kobo Store.
If a title is in OverDrive/Libby app but isn't in your Kobo's built-in OverDrive collection you borrow it in the Libby app on a mobile device or, in a web browser on libbyapp.com, the Library's OverDrive site or catalogue.
, opens a new window 
, opens a new window
You can borrow, read and listen to OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks directly from the catalogue.
There is no longer an option to download OverDrive titles from catalogue.
The easiest way to download OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks for offline use is in OverDrive's Libby app on your mobile device.
You can still download OverDrive ebooks to your Windows or Mac computer for offline use, or transfer to an eReader in
Yes, you can. You can renew a title twice if no one else has placed a hold on it. That gives you a further two weeks each time you renew. To renew just click on the button that says Renew under items in My Loans.
You have the choice of selecting either 7, 14, 21 or 28 days when borrowing an eBook or eAudiobook, 14 is the default. At the end of this time the file will automatically return itself — there are no overdue fines.
You place holds on items you want to borrow from search results, or from the sidebar on the left of a title’s details page. If you want to pick up the item at a specific location, you can see which branches currently have the item, as well as the circulation status of all available copies. There is a limit of 15 holds on your card.
► To place a hold from search results
Your requested title will now appear on your Holds page.
► To place a hold from a title’s details page
Your requested title will now appear on your Holds page.
Notes: If you need an item in a hurry, use the On the shelves now at dropdown list to view locations that have copies available.
Some items, such as reference book or documents on microfiche, cannot be placed on hold. Inquire about these at the Reference Desk at your branch.
Some popular titles may not always be available as quickly as you’d like. Discover new works by exploring the recommendations, comments and tags submitted by other library members.
From the Holds page, you’re able to keep track of the titles you’ve requested, and where and when they will be available for pickup. By default, items on the page are sorted by hold position, with items ready for pickup first. If you prefer, you can sort the page by status, title, author or format.
You can also cancel and suspend your hold requests. To change the status of a request, use the checkbox next to each title, and then click the appropriate button. Cancelled and suspended holds are each shown on separate pages. You can activate suspended holds from the Suspended page.
The status of items ready for pickup are shown in green. Items not yet available are shown in red.
Note: Use this page to manage holds. To place a hold, do a search, or view a title’s details page. See below.
The content on the Holds page is visible only to you. Please consult our Privacy Policy to learn more about how your private information is protected. There’s a link to the Privacy Policy at the bottom of every page.
Yes, you are welcome to suggest a title you would like to see through our request an item form.
In Libby you can find titles that are not available in the collection and use a "Notify Me" smart tag to express your interest.
If a title you've tagged with your "Notify Me" smart tag is purchased, you'll get a notification and have the option to borrow it or place it on hold right away.
Not all titles are available through our eBook collections, and not all titles that are recommended or tagged with Notify Me will be added.
Check to see whether we hold the item by searching our catalogue. If we have the item but it's out, you can place a hold.
If we do not have the item, you can request we buy it by filling in our request form or phoning the library on (03) 941 7923.
Note: There is a limit of 15 holds on your card, so if you make recommendations and have 15 holds, we won't be able to place a hold.
Keep a note of your request, and place a hold when you are below 15.
Occasionally due to our system update timing, your suggested title may appear on our catalogue before the hold shows on your account.
If the library does not hold an item there are two ways we could obtain it for you.
If the item is held by another New Zealand library we can borrow it for you through the library interloan service. The interloan charge is non-refundable once your order has been placed. This charge is payable on your next visit to the library. It generally takes about two weeks to receive your interloan, although this can vary according to availability.
The other alternative is that we may be able to purchase the item for the libraries' collection. The length of time it takes to receive an item varies, however it does take considerably longer than an interloan request. We shall let you know if we are not going to buy the item. If we place an order for the item we'll place a hold on it for you. A hold charge will apply when you collect the item.
See how do I make a request for the form to request an item for purchase or interloan.
See our current charges.
Christchurch City Councillors voted to take away charges for overdue items and wipe all historical debt relating to fines. Christchurch City Libraries became fine free on Tuesday 1 March 2022.
Read our news article to find out more about the removal of library fines, and the Newsline article Council votes to end fines for overdue library items.
Here is how you can pay outstanding charges on your library account:
Online payments should be made to:
Note: Payments made by internet banking may take a few days to clear on your library account
We will email you 3 days before an item is due, and:
A blocked or barred card means you won’t be able to borrow items, place holds, or use eResources. It will be blocked until the overdue items are returned and any charges are paid.
Your library card will be blocked if:
If you have any queries about any unpaid bills, please phone the library at 941-7923.
The Fees page displays a list of messages from your library, including library charges.
A coloured indicator at the top of the Fees page displays any money owed.
The default sort order is by date. You can also sort the list by amount or title.
Note: The content on the Fees page is visible only to you. Please consult our Privacy Policy to learn more about how your library protects your private information. There’s a link to the Privacy Policy at the bottom of every page.
Adult titles are $3 for 28 days (concession card free);
Children’s and Young Adult titles are free.
Yes, library charges can be paid over the phone. This service is for debit or credit card (Visa and Mastercard) payments.
Charges apply when you borrow some items.
See the link below for information about library Charges.
Use this form to request an interloan. See our Interloans Frequently Asked Questions for more information about interlibrary loans.
No. We are unable to interloan eBooks due to membership access restrictions.
No, in general interloan requests cannot be cancelled. Please be very sure you want an item before requesting it. Once a lending library processes a request (which can be within a few hours of requesting) charges are incurred and cancellation is not possible.
We can not interloan multiple sets of scores. You can request choral and orchestral sets of scores directly from the National Library. There is a Choral and orchestral music hire service on the National Library website where you can search for music, or phone 04 474 3025.
Yes. Each journal article is a separate request except where a second article is on the same subject and from the same journal title (and issue). Please indicate on the request whether you would prefer electronic or print copies. Articles will be supplied electronically or in print depending on copyright and publisher restrictions. They will only be supplied electronically if received electronically.
Use this form to request an interloan.
Yes. Some libraries will loan microfilm which can be used on our microform readers at Tūranga. Each newspaper or journal title must be on a separate request. Up to 3 reels of microfilm may be supplied per request.
Use this form to request an interloan.
Yes, these items may be made available on the condition that they are only used within one of our libraries. They will be made available for use at Tūranga. Fill-in the request form as normal and we will contact the owning library for you. Theses may be available electronically.
Yes — we can generally obtain New Zealand, Australian or other standards by interloan. A charge of $35.00 per standard applies. Check our catalogue first in case the library already has the standard you are looking for. Up to 3 parts may be able to be supplied as part of one request.
Use this form to request an interloan.
Yes, but often other NZ libraries will not lend newly published books or may have lots of people on the waitlist. You may prefer to suggest we buy a copy.
Use this form to request an interloan.
Yes, but many NZ libraries do not lend their audiovisual material via interloan. The interloans team will do their best to supply what you request and contact you if they are unable to do so.
Use this form to request an interloan.
No, we cannot interloan anything we currently hold, whether it is on loan or has to be used in the library / is reference only.
It may be possible to borrow the item from overseas. Items requested from any other country are charged on a cost recovery basis. Delays in supply may occur. See our charges page for details of international interloan charges.
An urgent interloan service is available within business hours Monday to Thursday. This means that Christchurch City Libraries will make every reasonable effort to supply your request within 2 working days. The cost for an urgent interloan request is: $43.00 ($30 non-refundable urgent fee; $13 interloan fee refunded if item cannot be supplied)
Please note: The urgent charge for this service is not refundable even if the item cannot be supplied or if delivery is later than required.
Use this form to request an interloan.
There is no limit to the number of interloan requests you can place, but once you have reached 25 filled requests within a calendar year, subsequent loans will be charged at a higher rate.
Use this form to request an interloan.
The interloan fee will still be charged as this is a subsidised service and costs will already have been incurred. If an interloan has not been collected within 9 days of being available for pick-up it will be returned to the lending library and the charge added to the requester’s library account.
Simply ask at your local library or phone the library. Interloans will be renewed once only for an additional 3 weeks from the original due date. Interloans staff will contact you if the lending library is unable to renew the item for any reason and then the item must be returned as soon as possible, i.e. the renewal is not granted. Interloans may also be recalled by the lending library. If an interloan is overdue when renewed the renewal time will be shortened.
Interloans are issued for 21 days. It may be possible to renew an interloan once for a further 21 days. (see How do I renew my interloan?).
Interloan items will be on the holds shelf at the library you selected. If the library has self-issue then you will need to collect your interloan from the hold shelf and issue it yourself. Otherwise Library staff can issue it for you. Payment is required when your interloan is issued. Please note that the Christchurch City Libraries bookstrap around the item must be returned with the interloan. The bookstrap has a record of the interloan and is used to issue and to discharge the item.
Interloan requests are usually actioned within 3 week days. How soon the request is supplied depends on whether the item is available in another library in New Zealand. Most requests are filled within 2 weeks. Please contact the library if you haven't received any information after 2 weeks.
(Christchurch City Libraries will make every reasonable effort to promptly supply interloan requests to clients. Due to outside factors, such as availability and delivery methods, we cannot guarantee the success or speed of delivery.)
Interloans cost $13 per request (for the first 25 requests in a calendar year) within New Zealand. This charge works the same way as a hold charge and is payable on collection. The interloan charge applies even if you choose to not collect your interloan. Note that an increased charge applies for the 26th and subsequent requests in a calendar year. (See our charges page for more details of interlibrary loan charges.) Interloans is a subsidised service.
Use this form to request an interloan.
Anyone who is a member of Christchurch City Libraries may place an interloan request.
Use this form to request an interloan.
Interlibrary loan (often referred to as interloan) is a co-operative scheme whereby libraries throughout New Zealand lend items to each other. We rely also on the cooperation of our own members to borrow and return items in a timely fashion in order for Christchurch City Libraries to continue to be part of this scheme.
Read the full Interlibrary Loan Policy.
Use this form to request an interloan.
If the library does not hold an item there are two ways we could obtain it for you.
If the item is held by another New Zealand library we can borrow it for you through the library interloan service. The interloan charge is non-refundable once your order has been placed. This charge is payable on your next visit to the library. It generally takes about two weeks to receive your interloan, although this can vary according to availability.
The other alternative is that we may be able to purchase the item for the libraries' collection. The length of time it takes to receive an item varies, however it does take considerably longer than an interloan request. We shall let you know if we are not going to buy the item. If we place an order for the item we'll place a hold on it for you. A hold charge will apply when you collect the item.
See how do I make a request for the form to request an item for purchase or interloan.
See our current charges.
If you think that you have lost an item that you have borrowed please contact us as soon as you can.
The charge made for a lost or damaged item is calculated from the item cost which is recorded on the library catalogue record and reflects the cost to the library of replacing or repairing the item. A processing fee of $21 per item is added to the lost item charge. This covers the time it takes to remove the damaged item from the catalogue, to check whether the item is still in print, to place an order, and then when the item arrives, process it to the required level, and update the catalogue; as well as the cost of processing the replacement item - labels, tags, stamp, and plasticating the cover if relevant.
Charges for the repair of damaged items will be set at actual cost recovery.
We will email you 3 days before an item is due, and:
A blocked or barred card means you won’t be able to borrow items, place holds, or use eResources. It will be blocked until the overdue items are returned and any charges are paid.
Your library card will be blocked if:
If you have any queries about any unpaid bills, please phone the library at 941-7923.
The library will provide a refund of the cost of the item only if it is found and returned within 12 months of being paid for, and a receipt is produced. Please take the item and your receipt to your nearest library.
Christchurch City Councillors voted to take away charges for overdue items and wipe all historical debt relating to fines. Christchurch City Libraries became fine free on Tuesday 1 March 2022.
Read our news article to find out more about the removal of library fines, and the Newsline article Council votes to end fines for overdue library items.
Here is how you can pay outstanding charges on your library account:
Online payments should be made to:
Note: Payments made by internet banking may take a few days to clear on your library account
We will email you 3 days before an item is due, and:
A blocked or barred card means you won’t be able to borrow items, place holds, or use eResources. It will be blocked until the overdue items are returned and any charges are paid.
Your library card will be blocked if:
If you have any queries about any unpaid bills, please phone the library at 941-7923.
