The information on this page applies to:

  • McGill casual staff
  • Members of McGill's Community for Lifelong Learning (MCLL)
  • Students or faculty of a Canadian university outside of Quebec
  • BAnQ researchers
  • CEGEP faculty
  • Faculty members and 3rd-year Masters of Divinity students of the Montreal School of Theology who don't have a McGill ID

Register for a Library Card

You must register for a McGill Libraries Borrowing Card, free of charge, in order to borrow items from the Libraries.

McGill Libraries Borrowing Cards

McGill Libraries Borrowing Cards are valid in all McGill libraries, subject to the borrowing policies of individual collections.

A McGill Libraries Borrowing Card may only be used by the person to whom it is issued.

Fines or other sanctions are imposed for late returns and cards may be cancelled if misused.

Note: Registering for a McGill Libraries Borrowing Card does not provide remote access to the Library’s electronic resources to those not already eligible, nor does it give you access to all library services and resources.

To register for a McGill Libraries Borrowing Card:

Complete the application for the McGill Libraries Borrowing Card.

Visit the Service Desk at any McGill library location except the Rare Books & Special Collections Library or the McGill University Archives.

Registration materials and expiry dates

Casual staff

Before visiting the Service Desk, have your supervisor send an email to the borrowing team of your desired library location or provide you with a signed letter confirming the end date of your employment.

Your borrowing card will be valid until the end of your McGill contract.

MCLL members

Bring proof of MCLL registration (i.e. your MCLL membership card or a copy of the MCLL study group registration information that you received by mail).

Your borrowing card expires twice per year (January 31 and September 30), and will be renewed automatically if you are registered for a study group.

Students and faculty of a Canadian university outside of Quebec

Bring your consortial card and a photo ID.

For information on how to obtain a consortial card (such as OCUL, i.e. Ontario Council of University Libraries), contact the library of your home university.

Your borrowing card will be valid until the expiry date on your consortial card at the time of registration.

BAnQ researchers

Bring a request letter from the BAnQ and a photo ID.

Your borrowing card will be valid until the date specified on your letter.

CEGEP faculty

Bring your valid PBUQ card or a letter of introduction from your department head.

Montreal School of Theology

Bring a letter from the Montreal School of Theology and a photo ID.

Your borrowing card will be valid until the date specified in your letter.

Once your application has been processed at the Library Services Desk, you will be provided with a McGill Libraries Borrowing Card that you can use to borrow items.

Your Library Account

Your library account allows you to:

  • View the library items (and Interlibrary Loans) that you have checked out and when they are due
  • Renew items 
    • Please Note: regular loans will automatically renew if your account is in good standing and the item has not been requested/recalled.
  • View and pay overdue or recall fines
  • View the status of hold requests and cancel requests you no longer need

Access your McGill Libraries Borrowing card account

Sign in to your library account: select "Login with a barcode". Use the barcode on your McGill Libraries Borrowing Card (begins with 290), and the password you selected during the registration process.

Email Notices

Notices for items due soon, holds, recalls and overdue fines are sent to you by email.  You will also receive an email if an item cannot be automatically renewed.

The reminder notices are meant to alert you that a borrowed item will be due soon.

Note: You are still responsible for returning items on time even if you do not receive the email notices. Please check your library account for up-to-date information.

All library notices will be sent to the email address you provided during registration for your McGill Libraries Borrowing Card.