FAQs

To join the library, you need to complete an application form. You can do this online or in person at your local library.  

For more information visit HERE

You’re never too young to enjoy the benefits of a library card. You can get a library card from birth. Check out HERE for more information. 

Library members can borrow up to 12 physical items for 21 days.  Each item can be renewed online twice as long as it isn’t requested by another member. 

Teachers and childcare providers can borrow up to 40 books for 84 days. Call into your local branch with a letter from the school as means of identity to sign up for this service.   

There are options for borrowing online such as eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics, eMagazines and eNewspapers. Each provider has different limits.  

Return books to any public library that's convenient to you. There are 13 branches across Donegal, but if you’re on holidays you can drop your books back to any public library in Ireland.

You can also borrow items from any public library in Ireland and return them to your local library. 

Yes, you can access your account online at any time to renew a book or reserve your next read. You can renew an item twice online as long as no one else is waiting to borrow the title. After the second renewal, please visit a library where they can reissue it to your card. 

Log-in to renew your books HERE.

Overdue fines are a thing of the past. We no longer charge for overdue items. The removal of overdue fines does not mean that you don’t have a responsibility. You will continue to receive reminders and overdue emails to prompt you to return items to the library. Please return items on or before their due date to allow them to be borrowed by other library users. Please continue to renew your items online, by phone or in person at your local branch.

Please return overdue items once you receive an overdue notice. If there is an issue in returning the item, please contact a library staff member to discuss this.

If you do not either return an item or contact a library staff member to discuss an overdue item before you receive a third reminder, your card will be blocked from taking out or renewing any further items, including e-books and e-audio books. Borrowing privileges cannot be restored until either the overdue item is returned, or you have contacted a library staff member to discuss the matter.

Reminder emails are sent as follows:
•    3 Days Before Due Date: Reminder Email
•    1 Day after Due Date: Reminder Email
•    3 Weeks after Due Date: Reminder Email
•    9 Weeks after Due Date: Item considered lost, card borrowing privileges blocked and user requested to present to the library.
You can check the details of your membership including whether you have overdue items at any time by logging into your online account.

Please contact your local library either by phone or calling in. It could be something as simple as your membership needs to be renewed. 

Just visit the library and let staff know and they will issue a new card for your account. If it’s been several years or you had one when you were at school, you’ll be asked to verify your current address by producing proof of address.

There’s a small fee of €2 to issue a replacement card. 

On occasion, items which are in high demand have a shorter loan period. 

There is no replacement charge for children’s items which have been lost or damaged. Members under 18 will not be asked to pay replacement costs. Replacement charges will not apply to any items lost / damaged on a Young Adult card.

You will be asked to pay a replacement charge if the item which has been lost or damaged is an adult item on an adult (over 18) membership card. This cost will be calculated as the purchase price of the item.

Replacement charges can be paid at any library branch, regardless of where the item originated from.

You need to be a library member to use the library computers, laptops, and tablets. We advise you contact your local library in advance to book a session which lasts 55 minutes and is free. It is possible to extend that time if there is no one else waiting to access one. Membership is free and is instant. Find out how to become a member here.

Yes, all branches have Wi-Fi available during normal opening hours. To access it all you need to do is select the library Wi-Fi provider and accept the T&Cs. 

Yes, providing you have your own cable, it doesn’t trail across the library (it doesn’t pose a trip hazzard) and doesn’t disrupt other users. 

Please contact Central Library for more information on the 3D printing machine.

Yes, we do, as set out in our donation policy. Please contact your local library for more information. 

Yes, you can. In some branches, there are dedicated study pods which can be booked in advance. 

If you would like to borrow as an organisation, pre-school, or school, bring along a letter signed by your supervisor/principal and avail of borrowing up to 40 books for 84 days.

Yes! We operate a Doorstep Delivery Service which is designed for people who find it difficult to visit their local library due to health, mobility, or other reasons. 

Find out about our Doorstep Delivery Service here.

Taobh Tíre is an initiative of Donegal County Council that seeks to improve library services to rural and isolated communities across County Donegal. The Library Service works in partnership with local community groups, and other agencies, to provide access to books and information services in areas that are too small to sustain a branch library.
 
The service began in December 2002 and 13 Taobh Tíre Centres were established across the County. These centres are usually located in Family Resource Centres, Community Development Projects, Community Co-operatives, or other community buildings. There are currently 8 Taobh Tíre Centres across Donegal in Kilcar, Falcarragh, Fintown, Aaranmore, Tory, Downings, St. Johnston and Pettigo.

You can use your library card in any Taobh Tíre centre or join the library through your local Taobh Tíre centre. You can borrow the books that are on site in the Taobh Tíre centre, and also order items through the national online catalogue either at a Taobh Tíre Centre or from home, and have them delivered to a Taobh Tíre Centre of your choice.
 
Becoming a member through your Taobh Tíre Centre is the same as joining in any public library. Your card will grant you access to all Donegal County Library Services online resources, which you can access anywhere using your library card. 

The Cross Border Mobile Library service runs in East Donegal and South Inishowen, serving Porthall, Drumoghill, St Johnston, Carrigans, Manorcunningham, Newtowncunningham, Burt, Burnfoot, Bridgend, Quigleys Point, Muff and Killea. It also serves several towns and villages in Northern Ireland. The vehicle's colourful exterior was designed from suggestions by local children.

This service was funded by the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation under Measure 5.2 Improving Cross Border Public Sector Cooperation until June 2006, when it has then mainstreamed into Donegal County Council and Libraries NI services. This was the first Cross Border Mobile Library introduced in the country.

Find out what week is currently in operation by clicking here.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Executive Librarian  
Sinéad McLaughlin:
Tel: 074 9153900
email: smclaughlin@donegalcoco.ie 

We’re delighted you’re planning to visit us. It really depends on what you’d like from your visit. If you want a speedy service or dedicated library staff to show you round or do an activity with your group, we’d highly recommend contacting your chosen branch in advance. That way we can make sure we’re prepared. We can even arrange for group membership sign-ups in advance if that’s something you’re interested in so that everyone has a library card ready for their visit.

Plenty of groups visit regularly though just to browse or borrow without an appointment which we also welcome. 

The easiest way to resolve any issues is to contact your local library and give them your library card number. They should be able to resolve any issues for you very quickly.

Sometimes it can be as simple as:
o    Your library card has been blocked so library staff can verify your address. This happens automatically on the system annually. 
o    You have a book which has been overdue for 9 weeks or more. When this happens card borrowing privileges are blocked and the user is requested to present to the library.

Please don’t let this stop you from visiting the library again. It happens more than you think and can be easily resolved. 

You can renew your PIN number online here using your library card number and surname.

If you have trouble with that, please phone or visit any branch where a staff member will be able to assist.