Shelf of Books

FAQ

General Information

Here is a selection of our most frequently asked questions. If what you are after is not here, please contact us and we will do our best to help.

You can find your nearest library by searching in the Find Us area of the website.

Find out about the parking at your local library.

You can find the nearest bus route to the library by accessing the Bay Hopper website.

All the information you need to join the library can be found on our membership page.

Bring your marriage certificate in to one of our libraries. A staff member will be able to make the update to your account details.

An Adult card is $5 and a Child or Teen card is $2.

Unfortunately, no. The Kindle eReader from Amazon is not compatible with our library eBook collection.

Scanning and printing is available at all our libraries. Find out more on our computer use and internet access page.

Yes we do have wifi at the library.

Yes there are computers for public use. Find out more on our computer use and internet access page.

Well done! Please contact our Collections Team Leader, Michelle Sims by email: michelle.sims@tauranga.govt.nz

Borrowing, Finding and Returning Library Items

Most books can be borrowed but some books can’t. Those in our Reference Collections can’t be borrowed. They are located for viewing at He Puna Wānanga (the heritage and research room at He Puna Manawa).

You can borrow up to 40 items on your library card at any one time and 10 items if you are a visitor member.

There is no late fee for items returned late. Items 49 days overdue will be replaced and are no longer returnable. Payment for the item will be required.

Borrowing times differ, depending on what type of item you have borrowed.
What can I borrow?

If your account balance is less than $10, it is really easy to renew your items before their due date. This way, you avoid overdue charges, and have more time to enjoy your items. Most items are able to be renewed twice, unless another library member has a Hold on the item. In this case, the item cannot be renewed, as the next borrower is waiting for it.

There are five choices available to renew your items:

  1. Use the Tauranga City Libraries App
  2. Visit your local library and our friendly team will help you.
  3. Online by visiting My Account.
  4. By phone – call us on 07 577 7177, press 0 for a staff member to help you.
  5. Renew items yourself on our Self Issue Machines.

Please note: if your account balance is over $10 you will not be able to renew your items.

If we don't have an item that you are wanting to borrow then you may want to use our Interlibrary loan service or Suggest a purchase.

Placing a Hold is a really useful way to help you get the items you want.

If the item you want to borrow is checked out, you can claim a spot in line to borrow the item by placing a Hold. Holds can be placed on items that are currently available too - our staff will locate them for you and have them waiting for you on the Hold shelf at your preferred Library location.

There are four choices available to place a Hold on an item:

  1. Online by visiting My Account.
  2. Through the Tauranga City Libraries App.
  3. Visit your local library and our friendly team will help you.
  4. By phone. Call us on 07 577 7177 and press 0 for a staff member to help you.

You will receive a notice giving you 10 days to collect your Hold when it is ready.

There is no fee for placing holds. If you place a hold and no longer require it, please cancel it by logging into My Account, by using the Tauranga City Libraries App or by phoning (07) 577 7177. For items that have a charge to borrow such as top titles, the borrowing fee is payable on pick up of the item.

If you place a hold and no longer require it, please cancel it by logging into My Account, by using the Tauranga City Libraries App or by phoning (07) 577 7177. This will enable the item to go to the next borrower on the waiting list.

Your items can be returned to any of our Libraries, regardless of where you issued them. After-hours book drops are located at Tauranga, Greerton, Papamoa and Mount Maunganui libraries. You can also return items to the Mobile library.

Your library card will be blocked when the amount owing reaches $10. Once you have visited the library and cleared this amount you will be able to borrow again.

You will be charged the replacement cost plus the maximum overdue fee of $8. It is a good idea to pay for the item as soon as you realise it is lost. If the book is found within six months of you paying for it then you will receive a refund of the replacement cost. The book must be returned in good condition.

After a certain period of time, when lost items have not been returned or paid for, Tauranga City Libraries employ a Debt Collection Agency. The outstanding amount will include the lost items as well as a cost recovery charge from the Debt Collection Agency.

It does cost to borrow some items. Find out more on the What can I borrow page

You can borrow eAudiobooks from the library. Find out more on our eAudiobooks page 

 

 
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