Membership policy
Effective date: May 21, 2025
Revised date:
Review schedule: Four years
Next review date: Spring 2029
This policy defines who is eligible for library membership and outlines the types, terms, and conditions of membership. It ensures fair and equitable access to library services for residents, non-residents, educators, and children.
Regular memberships
Eligibility
- All Cochrane residents are entitled to a regular membership at the Cochrane Public Library. People and their families who reside outside the geographic area of the municipality but who own property, work, or attend an educational institute within the municipality are considered residents.
- For the purposes of eligibility, Cochrane is defined as any incorporated part of the Corporation of the Town of Cochrane as well as any unorganized townships of Fournier, Brower, Blount, Hanna, Clute, Leitch, Kennedy, and west to Driftwood.
- When applying for regular membership, a resident of the municipality must provide verification of address and identity by presenting a document or combination of documents that bears their name, photo, and current address or other criteria outlined above.
Regular membership types
4. There are four types of regular memberships:
- Adult: resident aged 16 to 59
- Senior: resident aged 60 or more
- Outreach: resident who has a barrier to attend the library
- Child: person under the age of 16.
A parent or guardian must apply for a library card on their behalf and accept responsibility for fines and lost or damaged items
5. Regular memberships must be renewed two years after the date of last issue for the member to continue to be in good standing.
Classroom memberships
6. Classroom memberships are available to any teacher or educator employed by a local school. These cards allow them to borrow materials for their classroom.
7. The school’s principal or administrator must approve the classroom membership application and accept responsibility for fines and lost or damaged items.
8. Classroom memberships are valid September through June in conjunction with the academic year and cannot be renewed. Teachers must reapply the following school year.
Non-resident memberships
9. Any person who does not meet the eligibility criteria outlined above can become a member of the Cochrane Public Library.
10. Non-resident fees will be charged as follows: $10 for 3 months, $20 for 6 months, $30 for 12 months. Non-resident memberships can be renewed at the time of expiry. Additional fees will be charged.
11. While the non-resident membership is valid, it holds the same benefits as a regular membership.
Terms
12. When registering for a card, the cardholder agrees to follow all rules and regulations of the Cochrane Public Library, including those set out in the Patron Code of Conduct.
13. While in good standing, all membership types allow full access to circulating materials and e-resources without charge.
14. All outstanding fines and charges must be paid in full to renew a membership card.
15. A lost or damaged card will be replaced for a fee of $1.
16. The library’s membership records are governed by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
