Ngā Pātai me ngā Whakautu - Library FAQs
Managing your library account
How many items can I borrow at once?
You can have up to 20 items out on your card.
How do I know when my items are due back?
Our books and audiobooks are issued for three weeks; DVDs, magazines and kits are issued for one week.
Use our catalogue or our TCDC Libraries app to check your library account online. You'll need to log in using your library card number and your password.
We can provide you with a printed due date slip when you check out items.
We can send you a reminder by email three days before your items are due back. Let us know if you would like to sign up for this service.
How do I renew a book?
- Log into your account via our online catalogue
- Click the 'Log In' button in the top right corner.
- You'll need your library card user ID (that's the number under the barcode on the back of your library card) and your password.
- Click 'My Account' and then choose the 'Checkouts' tab.
- Tick the items you'd like to renew, then click the 'renew' button.
Other ways:
- Check your account with the TCDC Libraries app, or
- Renew items by asking a staff member, sending us an email, or giving us a call with your library card number handy.
Be aware, you may not be able to renew some items; they may have been requested by another patron, reached their maximum renewal limit, or we may just need to confirm with you that you're willing to renew an item that costs to borrow.
How do I return a book?
All items can be placed on our returns counters or slots inside the library, when libraries are open.
When our libraries are closed, you can return items through our book drops.
If you're in Coromandel Town, you're also welcome to return our items at Coromandel Community Library.
Is there a fine for bringing a book back late?
No! Our District Libraries do not charge fines on items that are returned overdue.
You can read more about this here.
What do I do if I have lost a library card?
Contact us immediately. We can issue a free replacement card.
Accessing our online resources
How do I reset my password?
To reset your account password:
- Go to our catalogue.
- Click on 'Log In,' in the top right corner.
- Select 'Forgot my PIN.'
- Enter your library card number, and a recovery link will be emailed to the email address on file at your library.
- If the email doesn't arrive within a few minutes, check your spam folder. If it's not in your spam folder, contact us.
If you have any problems, please contact your local library for assistance.
How do I check my library account online?
If you're using a computer, visit our online catalogue and log in at the top right corner of the page. Once you're logged in, use the tabs to view your personal information, checkouts, holds, and money owing. In the checkouts tab, you can renew items and browse your borrowing history for the past three years.
We also offer an app for Apple and Android devices, to help you manage your account and browse our catalogue. You can learn more about this on our apps page.
How do I place holds online?
- Log into your account via our online catalogue
- Click the 'Log In' button in the top right corner.
- Log in using your library card user ID (that's the number under the barcode on the back of your library card) and your password.
- Search for the item you want to reserve, and click 'Place Hold.'
- Choose one of our three district libraries to collect your book from.
- We will contact you when the book is ready to pick up.
You can also place holds using the TCDC Libraries app.
Check our Library Charges page for more details about our fees for holds and loans.
If the item you want is only available at a Community Library, please get in touch - you may need to check with us if that library will lend us the item.
What apps and online resources can I access through the library?
We have two apps available for our patrons, to help you get the most of our library collections.
- TCDC Libraries is a mobile version of our online catalogue.
- ePlatform by Wheelers is our app for accessing our eBook and eAudio library collection.
You can learn more about these apps on our apps page.
We also have several online resources available for library patrons and visitors. Check out our online resources page to see what's on offer.
Manage your library account and browse our catalogue here.
What are some handy tips are trick for using ePlatform by Wheelers?
- Check out the Help page on ePlatform.
- ePlatform has step-by-step guides for setting up the ePlatform app on different devices.
- Borrow your reserved title automatically when it's your turn, by flicking the switch in your ePlatform settings. Your reserved eBooks and eAudio will check out onto your account immediately, instead of waiting on hold for you to log in and check them out yourself.
- Log into ePlatform and go into your Settings.
- Under Loan and Reserve Settings, flip to toggle to blue for Reserve ready auto borrow.
Library services, events and programmes
How can I find out about what's happening at the library?
Our libraries run a range of events every week. Sign up for our monthly Library eNewsletters or check our events calendar to see what's on.
We also post updates about all of our upcoming events and programmes on our Facebook page.
Apart from books, what other services does the library offer?
We offer a range of additional services to assist our locals and visitors. Check out the Library Services page on our website to find out more.
What is a VIP Card, and how do I get one?
VIP Cards are loyalty cards for patrons who borrow new adult fiction, DVDs, talking books and kits. These items cost $2.50 to borrow. Every time you borrow one of these pay items, you get one stamp on your VIP Card. Eventually, you'll have enough stamps to borrow one of these items free!
Ask our team for a VIP Card next time you visit us.
Library collections
How do I find out if the library has a specific book?
Search our online catalogue, or ask one of our staff members.
Can I borrow from other libraries on the Coromandel?
Yes! Your library card for Thames-Coromandel District Libraries works at all three of our libraries - Thames Library, Tairua Library and Mercury Bay Library. You can place a hold on most items at these libraries, and pick up at your nearest District Library branch.
We have reciprocal lending arrangements with Whangamatā Community Library and Coromandel Community Library - using your District Libraries card, you can place holds on specific items from the collections at these two libraries, and pick up your holds at your nearest Thames-Coromandel District Libraries branch.
If you'd like to borrow directly from a Community Library, you'll need to sign up for a library card with them. There's more information about the libraries on the Coromandel here.
How do I suggest a book for the library to purchase?
We welcome suggestions of new books for our collection. You can fill in a form in our libraries, or online.
What else can I do if the library doesn't have the book I want?
If the item you want is not in our collection, we can request it from another New Zealand library for you.
Inter-library loans start from $6 per item, and you'll need to fill in an
interloan form online or at one of our libraries.