Wāhi āwhina - FAQs

How can I check my library card/account?

You can check your card at any time by visiting: Check Your Card and entering your card number (e.g. C123...) and your PIN.

Once logged in, you can find your loans, reserves, and information on any lending fees (e.g. to borrow a DVD etc.) or lost items, under Account Activity.

What is my PIN?

Your PIN defaults to the last 4 digits of the phone number we have on record for you.

If you're not sure what this is, or are having trouble logging in, you can get help to reset a PIN via the PIN reset form link below, or by calling 04 801 4040 (between 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday). Once logged in, you can also change your PIN to something known only to you.

Get help to reset a PIN

What is an EZ Login?

An 'EZ Login' is a username/password you have the option to create inside of your library card, that will allow you to log in without your card number/PIN. Some people prefer this option to remembering a library card/PIN combination.

You can create an EZ Login when logged into your library account -- look under 'Account Summary' for the option to do this.

How do I renew my loans?

You can renew your items for a further issue period if there are no reserves on them.

To do this, you can:

• Check your card online and renew your items online
• Visit any of our branches and a librarian will help you to do this

Can I use my phone to query my account status?

Yes! You can use PAL - your Personal Automated Library card which is the library's telephone service.

You can call PAL on 04 384 7640 to check:

• The names and due-dates of items you have on loan
• The names and availability of items you have reserved
• Money owing
• Opening hours

PAL will also call you to advise of late items and reserve items ready for collection. PAL will call you between 3pm and 8pm, using the main phone number you have given us. If unsuccessful after three attempts, a printed notice will be generated. PAL leaves messages on answer phones and cellphones.

How can I pay my account?

Payments can be made at any branch library by EFTpos or credit card. Online payments using credit or debit cards can be made via wcl.govt.nz/payments. Credit card payments are also accepted by telephone, Monday to Friday between 9:30am and 5pm, by calling 04 801 4058 or 04 801 4055. See Payments, lost items and due dates for more information.

Does it cost anything to borrow from the library?

Books are free to borrow. Some of our other collections e.g. DVDs, CDs, magazines etc have rental fees. For a full list of these, see our borrowing page.

Can I get a reminder before my books are due?

Yes, you can get automatic email reminders (3 days before the item due date), if we have your email in our system. If you would like to make sure you will receive our Courtesy Reminders please email us.

How do I suggest that the library buys a book/CD/DVD etc?

Anyone with a current library card can make a 'Suggestion to Buy'. You can do this by:

• Filling in a Request Form (check the 'Suggestion to buy' option) OR
• Filling out a Suggestion to Buy form at your local branch

For a Libby eBook or eAudio title, you can recommend a title for purchase via the Libby website or using the Libby app. Just look for the "Deep Search" filter when search results appear and then select "Notify Me" against the title you're requesting.

How can I get technical support?

If you are having problems using our catalogues, online databases, eMedia or any other part of our website, please fill out our technical support form and we will provide support where we can. We may need to seek assistance from external suppliers for some services.

For all other questions, please contact one of our staff

Does the library have internet / WiFi access?

Internet access on library PCs

We provide free access to the internet within all of our branches. Customer PCs allow general internet use such as search engines, social media and email. You can login with a guest ticket - just ask one of our library staff.

Customer tablets

In some of our libraries, we provide iPad tablets which can be borrowed for free for three weeks. These can be used in the library or taken home. They come pre-loaded with eLibrary apps, so that borrowers can become familiar with these online resources. They can also be used for general internet access at home or using the library WiFi . Find out more about this service.

WiFi Access

Free WiFi is available at all our library branches - look for WellyWiFi in the list of networks that appear when WiFi is enabled on your device.

Can I type a document or edit a spreadsheet? What software is available?

Software available on the customer PCs includes: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Reader.

Printing is 20c per side of the page for A4 black and white - your first 10 printed sides are free of charge. Colour printing is $1.50c per A4 page.

A3 printing is also available for 40c per side of the page for black and white, or $3 per page for colour printing.

Ask our librarians for help to get started.

What vacancies do you have currently?

Any library vacancies are listed on the Wellington City Council Careers page.

Can I talk to a Justice of the Peace (JP) in the library?

Yes, JP clinics run at set times at several of our branches — Kilbirnie, Miramar and Te Awe Libraries.

To see schedules for these visits, or to find out other locations and times a justice of the peace is available in your area of Wellington, please visit the Royal Federation of NZ Justices' Association website.

To find the JP clinic schedules for Kilbirnie, Miramar and Te Awe on the Royal Federation site, search for the suburb name (e.g. Kilbirnie, Wellington Central, Miramar), choose Service Desks and then Availability.

Justices of the peace Wellington Service Desks

Where can I find the electoral rolls?

Current

Te Awe and Cummings Park Library hold a full current New Zealand set of electoral rolls (at Cummings Park Library, you can find them in the Taonga Tuku Iho Heritage Centre).

All other branch libraries hold a Wellington electorates set only.

Historical

For New Zealand historical electoral rolls, we subscribe to research databases for genealogy and family history enthusiasts that can help you to trace your family history, and include access to historical New Zealand electoral rolls, from 1853-2010. Access is generally available in-library only.

For details of these resources, please see our Genealogy page.