It's easy and free to become a member if you live in the City of Cambridge. Just visit one of our locations to obtain a full Idea Exchange membership card. Your full membership card gives you the benefit of borrowing from our physical collections, Gallery Membership or Reciprocal Admission at participating Ontario Association of Art Galleries institutions, and access to Makerspace and Creative Studios equipment at Old Post Office.
Can’t come in to one of our locations? No problem! Sign up for an online membership. An online membership gives you immediate access to the many electronic products we provide such as:
- ebooks, eaudiobooks, emagazines, emovies through downloadLibrary/Overdrive
- international newspapers and magazines through PressReader
- movie and documentary streaming through Kanopy
- courses and training programs through Linkedin Learning and Gale Courses
- other online databases of interest to students and researchers
Idea Exchange memberships require renewal every year. To renew your membership online fill out this renewal form. It can take up to two business days to process your online renewal, or call or visit your local Idea Exchange location during business hours for immediate renewal. Please make sure you have your library card number with you at the time of renewal.
Membership records are confidential and are made available only to the member who owns the card and to a parent or legal guardian of a child aged 12 & under.
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Complete a membership form [PDF] and provide proof of your full name and current Cambridge address with one of the following:
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Children between the ages of 3 and 12 can join Idea Exchange. With a Juvenile library card, children can:
To get a library card for a child:
By signing the membership form and the library card, parents or guardians agree to guide their child’s use of the library, including use of the internet and his or her choice of reading and listening materials. Parents or guardians are also responsible for the return of all materials borrowed by their children as well as for any charges or loss incurred through the use of their child's library card. Children who live outside the city limits, but attend school in Cambridge, are eligible for a library card. Teachers can help get membership cards for their class. |
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Teens between the ages of 13 and 17 can join Idea Exchange. With a Young Adult library card, teens can:
To get a library card, teens must:
Teens who live outside the city limits, but attend school in Cambridge, are eligible for a library card. |
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Babies and tots from birth to 35 months of age can join Idea Exchange. With a My First Membership Card, our youngest members can:
Replacement costs will apply if the materials are damaged or lost. To get a My First Membership Card:
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Our online membership form makes signing up easy. To be eligible for an online membership you must:
- live in the city of Cambridge
- don’t already have a membership card
- you are interested only in access to our online e-resources.
An online membership can be converted to a full-service membership card at any time. If you wish to take out physical materials, access Cambridge Art Galleries’ benefits or gain access to Makerspace and Creative Studios equipment at Old Post Office, you will need to visit one of our locations with your identification showing name and current address. If you already have a card but need it renewed, fill out our membership renewal form.
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If you don’t live in Cambridge you can still get an Idea Exchange library card at no cost through our reciprocal borrowing agreement if you live in:
Simply bring in proof of your current name and address and fill out a membership form [PDF]. Proof of name and address can be a valid driver's license, passport,any item mailed to your current address with a recent (1 month) postmark, rent receipt, tax bill or lease agreement. Don’t meet any of the reciprocal borrowing criteria? You can still get a membership card if you have proof of one of these Cambridge connections: Work in Cambridge:
Go to School in Cambridge:
Own a Property or a Business in Cambridge:
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You can get a membership to use the in-house equipment at the Old Post Office at no cost even if you live outside of our membership area. To obtain an Old Post Office Non-Resident card:
With this limited membership, you will not be able to check out circulating materials, place holds, or use our online resources. If you are interested in obtaining a full-service library card and don’t fit the criteria of one of the above categories, please contact us. |