Library Membership & FAQ
Joining Tararua District Library opens up a world of learning, entertainment, relaxation and discovery. Membership is free to all residents and property owners in Tararua District. Visitors from outside the district can also become members for a small fee. See fees here.
How do I join the library?
Using our online form, you can register at home or at the library. Click here to join the library.
After registering, you have two weeks to visit the library to complete the process and collect your library card. Bring your photo ID, such as:
- drivers' license, firearm license, passport, Kiwi Access card, 18+ card, valid community services card. Birth certificates are not accepted. If you don't have any form of identification, you can choose to be a digital only member OR have a Justice of the Peace sign a statutory declaration form and bring that.
Proof of address is also required before full membership can be offered:
- telephone, electricity, rates account, bank statement, tenancy agreement, any bill, whether a paper copy or sent to you via email.
How old does my child need to be to join the library?
If a child is joined, it’s their guarantor’s ID and address we require. The guarantor is the one to sign up and collect the new library card.
- Children can get a library card from the age of 0!
- Anyone under the age of 18 years is considered a child or young adult member.
- The adult listed as guarantor on the form will need to visit the library* in person with their identification and proof of address to collect the child’s new library card.
- The guarantor is financially responsible for any debts incurred on the child’s card, such as lost or damaged items.
- If the guarantor needs to be changed, a new membership form must be completed (with ID/proof address)
*Kids, if your parent are unable to visit the library, please have a chat with your librarian for help with this.
What if I don’t have ID or proof of address?
- If you don't have any form of identification, you can choose to be a digital only member (access to ebooks and eaudio only) OR have a Justice of the Peace sign a statutory declaration form and bring that as ID.
- Proof of address is not necessary if you pay rates or dog registration in Tararua District. Otherwise, we join you as a ‘new’ member and you have two weeks to provide proof of address, in either physical or email form.
- If necessary, we can send you a letter and on receipt, you can bring that letter back to us as proof of address.
Types of membership
New members - proof of address not yet provided, limited to 2 items checked out at a time, no DVDs.
Digital – access to e-books only. No ID requirements. Valid for 1 year. No membership card is provided unless you choose to upgrade to a physical membership, at any point, by visiting your local library with ID and proof of address.
Limited members – children or teens with no adult guarantor, limited to 2 items checked out at a time, no DVDs.
Temporary members – visiting the area for less than 3 months, limited to 5 items checked out at a time.
Non-resident members – adults that don't live in, or pay rates for, property in Tararua. A small subscription payment is required to receive full membership privileges. See fees page.
Full membership – no limit to number of items checked out.
Organisational - if you are a resthome, school or business, someone with official financial responsibility may join on behalf of the organisation (use the Adult option). Full privileges apply excluding DVD loan (against copyright).
Membership allows you to:
- Borrow items from any of our four libraries
- Borrow DVDs from our rental collection
- Access your library account online
- Borrow our e-books and e-audio
- Use our subscription digital databases for free (online resources)
How many items can I borrow and for how long?
- There is no limit to the number of items full members can borrow.
- All items are checked out for 3 weeks, except DVDs.
- Items can be renewed twice if there are no holds on them.
- DVDs may be renewed, but a further rental fee applies.
- The loan period for interloans (e.g. items from outside our district) is set by the library they come from.
What if I'm only here for a few weeks, or don’t live in Tararua District?
If you are a visiting the district for less than 12 weeks, you can apply for temporary membership:
- Limit of five items checked out at a time.
- Personal ID needs to be shown, and normal residential address plus temporary address provided.
If you require a longer subscription, as an out of district borrower, a small charge applies: See charges here
- Full membership privileges
- Personal ID needs to be shown.
- Normal residential address, and proof of address is required.
Housebound Service (urban only)
If you are unable to visit your library because of disability, mental health issues or you've given up driving, we can deliver books to you! Pick up a registration form at your library, or contact us to have one sent out or arrange over the 'phone.
Conditions of Membership
Your responsibilities:
- You are responsible for your library card and all items checked out on your card.
- Guarantors are responsible for the supervision of children/young people they have authorized to use the library, their library cards, all items borrowed, and the content of materials chosen and/or viewed, and charges incurred.
- Return borrowed items in good condition. Please do not attempt to mend items yourself.
- Pay replacement costs for lost or damaged items.
- Contact the library as soon as possible if you notice an error with your library membership account.
- Pay all library rentals fees and other charges incurred. See fee list here
- Notify the library immediately if you lose your card.
Please remember to bring your library card on each visit. If you do not have your card, we allow 3 non-card checkouts per year before you need to purchase a replacement card. ID may be requested, as we have a large staff and they may not personally know you. Remember, you can download our app which shows your library card number which can be used instead of the card.
LOST CARD? Contact us immediately as you remain responsible for items borrowed before the loss is reported. We can block the card. A small charge for replacement cards applies.
Contact Us with any change of address, telephone number or email address. Reminders of overdue items are a courtesy we cannot offer if we do not have your correct details.
Other conditions
You are unable to borrow items if you have more than $5.00 in charges owing.
If you have not used your library card for more than 2 years, your membership may expire and you will need to re-apply.
The library takes no responsibility for email or postal notices sent, but not received or read, or interception of such.
Privacy Statement
By completing an application for membership, you are providing personal information to Tararua District Library. This information is securely stored by the Tararua District Council’s database and digital service providers to enable accurate records to be maintained as to the identity and contact details of library members, and for statistical purposes to record the use of library material. This information is only made available to staff of the Tararua District Council. Our agreements digital service providers protect the information that we collect from any unauthorised use. You have the right to access your information and request changes to it at any time during normal office hours, free of charge.
You agree that Tararua District Library may use this information for the purpose of:
- Managing your membership, including maintaining your records
- Advising of fees
- Recovering out-standing fines and debts
- Advising you of library services and events
- Discussing with your guarantor or legal guardian any matters arising from your membership (if you are under 18 years of age)
The information may be given to appropriate Council departments and staff and/or third parties in the event that the Tararua District Council has to take action against you for recovery of any payments due and owing by you to Council in respect of your library membership.
The information may be shared with third parties when we believe in good faith that we are required to do so by law.
You agree that you may be contacted by post, email and telephone (including texts) and the Tararua District Council will not be liable for any other person being able to access any mail, email or telephones messages sent to you.
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. You can also help to protect the privacy of your personal information by keeping your passwords secret and by ensuring that you log out of the website when you have completed your transaction. If you become aware of any security breach, please contact Tararua District Library as soon as possible.
By law, you are not required to provide personal information. However, if you do not supply the information requested on the application, then Tararua District Library may be unable to process your application or provide you with membership.
This Privacy Policy only relates to our library sites. Our website may contain links to other sites. You should check their privacy policies before providing personally identifiable information to them or any other third party.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (http://www.privacy.org.nz) provides further details of the New Zealand Privacy Act and how it protects personal information in New Zealand.
Complaints
Please address complaints in writing to District Librarian, PO Box 115, Dannevirke 4942 or email to Brenda.Graves@tararuadc.govt.nz