Adult Services

Membership is free. Any resident 17 years or older can join the library with Bermuda photo identification, or with a photo identification and proof of local address.

Residents between the ages of 14 and 17 require a parent’s signature. The parent signs a form allowing their child to use any material in the library including internet access.

Library cards expire after two years. Patrons may update their card via in person visit or email (library@gov.bm) or call (441)295-2905.

Other types of membership include Repeat Visitor & Temporary.

Valid Identification

• Bermuda driver’s license
• Special person’s card
• Senior person’s card
• Voter’s registration card
• Passport
• Work Permit with photo
• Employee I.D. with number

Proof of Address

• E-bill
• Utility Bill
• Any Correspondence with valid address
• Lease or rental agreement

Types of Membership

Regular Membership
Includes access to both in-library collections and e-books, e-audio books, movies (Kanopy) and classes via Libby App.

Online Membership application for Bermuda Residents 17 and older
Any resident 17 and older may use the online membership form to apply for Adult membership instead of visiting the library. Your membership card will be mailed to you after your application is processed.

Repeat Visitor
Persons who are resident in Bermuda for 4 weeks total each year, are given repeat visitor membership at no charge.

Repeat visitors must produce an overseas passport and proof of their overseas address. This information may be included in the mandatory official letter from their hotel or guesthouse confirming their length of stay. If the repeat visitor is residing at a private home they must provide the private home mailing address and the host name and telephone number.

Student Membership
Students between 14 years and 17 years old can join the library. The parent or legal guardian signs the student up, presenting their local photo I. D., and proof of address. Students also sign the form. We encourage those under the age of 14 years to use the Youth Services Department of the library.

Temporary Membership
Persons who are in Bermuda for a minimum of 30 days after sign-up are eligible for a temporary card.

Temporary members who are non-Bermuda residents must provide an overseas passport not overseas I.D. and a local address. Length of stay can be verified with a plane ticket or hotel reservation or vacation rental contract.

Membership cards will only be valid for the length of stay on the island.

For the tourist:
An overseas passport, a local address and documents to verify their overseas address. Length of stay can be verified with a plane ticket or hotel reservation.

For the guest worker:
A work permit must be produced, and a local address.

Renewing Membership
Membership should be renewed every two years. The membership expires two years from the date of sign up.

Replacement Membership Cards
Lost or damaged membership cards will be replaced once for free. Subsequent losses or damages will be charged a $5.00 replacement fee.

Outreach Delivery Service
The Outreach Delivery Service is available to senior’s rest homes and private homes.

This service offers wide ranging access to a number of library materials, such as books including large print books and magazines.  DVDs and Audio books on CD are also available.

If you know someone who is interested in applying for Outreach Delivery Service please contact 295-2905 or email library@gov.bm.

Internet
There are 5 Internet terminals available for public use.  Please enquire at the Circulation desk about reserving time to use any one of these internet terminals.  Customers do not have to be members to use the Internet. The rules are posted at the Circulation desk. All machines print in black & white at a cost of 50 cents per copy.  Free unsecured wireless internet access is also available.

Please note: customers are responsible for all copies that are generated by them at all machines.

WI-FI
Free unsecured wireless Internet access is available.

Users of the wireless Internet service are bound by the terms of the Bermuda National Library wireless Internet User Policy.  Users will not be directed to the wireless network unless they agree to these terms and conditions.

The staff will provide basic instructions on how to connect to the network, but are not able to provide technical assistance.

Printing is available from the wireless connection at 50 cents per copy.

Microfilm
The Bermuda Sun, The Mid-Ocean News, The Bermuda Times, The Bermuda Recorder, The Royal Gazette and Bermudian Magazines (1934 – 1993) are available on microfilm. When the local papers are microfilmed the hard copy is no longer available. Staff will teach the customers how to use the machines, but staff cannot assist with personal searches.

Microfilm articles can be printed or emailed upon request.

A Microfilm request form has to be filled out and submitted at least 3 days before the article is required: however it may take longer than 3 days.

The microfilm copies are 50 cents each.

No charge for emailed microfilm requests.

Word Processing
There is a Word Processing computer with Microsoft Office software provided for the public.

There is a sign up sheet at the Circulation Desk on the ground floor.  A person may use the computer for up to one hour.  Enquire at the Circulation desk if more time is required.

A printer is available and copies are 50 cents each.

Renewals
Renewals can be made over the phone at 295-2905 or email library@gov.bm.

Internet

Please note: Two week books, magazines, DVDS and graphic novels cannot be renewed.

Reservations
Reservation of  library materials can be made over the phone at 295-2905 or email library@gov.bm.

Please note: Only available for current members.

Lending Period
The lending periods are 14 days and 28 days. Most new books including bestsellers have a two week lending period. These books are located on the new book shelf opposite the Circulation Desk and cannot be renewed. All other books which have a 28 day lending period are located on the first floor.

Fines and Fees
Fines for Two Week books are 25 cents per day.  The maximum fine per book is $10.

Fines for 28 day books are 10 cents per day.  The maximum fine per book is $20

The maximum fines per book does not include the replacement cost (see below, “Lost Materials”)

Overdue DVDs are $1.00 per day.  The maximum fine per DVD is $20.

Lost cards are $5.00 each. A card will be considered lost if the customer cannot produce it after one month.

Lost Materials
Customers are charged the replacement value of the material plus $5.00 for processing supplies.

Copies
A self-operated black and white copier is available for public use. The Internet and Word Processor copies are 50 cents each.

Note: The microfilm copies are 50 cents each.

Approximately 100,000 items are available for use. A maximum of six items can be borrowed at one time. Unless otherwise stated, items can be borrowed free of charge. The two main lending periods are 14 days and 28 days.

New Book Shelves
All new books are shelved on the New Book Shelves for three months. This area is opposite the circulation desk on the ground floor. In an effort to circulate these books to as many of our customers as possible, most of these books have a lending period of 14 days and are not renewable.

Books
The books are shelved using the Dewey Decimal System.

Reference Collection
The reference collection includes books used for research that do not circulate. This includes Bermudiana.

Newspapers
The library subscribes to the Royal Gazette. This newspaper is available in the reading room on the first floor and cannot be borrowed.  The Royal Gazette newspapers are kept on file in the repository on the first floor until they are microfilmed.

The Royal Gazette

eBooks
The library has a selection of eBooks  for adults and children that are available to all members. Click here to see what ebooks are available.

Magazines
The library subscribes to magazines, both local and foreign. There is a collection of weekly and monthly magazines. Current magazines are available on the first floor of the reading room. Circulation magazines for the past 12 months can be borrowed for up to two weeks.

DVDs
The library has a collection of educational & recreational DVDs. These are free and can be checked out for a maximum of 14 days. They are not renewable. The overdue fine is $1.00 per day.

Audio Book CDs
Audio book on CDs are available for all customers with library cards. They can be borrowed for up to 28 days.

Paperbacks
There are about 1,000 paperbacks on the ground level. These include Mystery, Suspense, Fantasy, SciFi, Romance, Black Fiction, General fiction and non-fiction.

Portuguese Language Materials
The library has a varied collection of Portuguese language materials located on the upper level of the library.

Ready Reference Questions
The staff at the information desk will answer ready reference questions (queries that can be answered in a 15 minute maximum time period) at 295-2905.