I. Types and Functions
| Function/Type | Reservation | Reading | General Loan | Reference Loan | Children’s Book Loan | Book Home Delivery | Digital Resources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | √ | √ | √ Library card applied online needs to be activated before it can be used | ||||
| General Loan | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ Library card with the general book loan function applied online needs to be activated before it can be used | ||
| Reference Loan | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
| Children’s Book Loan | √ | √ | √ | √ |
【Activation Method】 (select an appropriate method based on the type of your library card):
① Go to any district or town branch library to borrow books;
② Place an order to borrow books through the "Shanghai Book Home Delivery" WeChat mini program;
③ Swipe your library card to check-in in the Shanghai Library entry system;
④ Acquiring a library card at the Shanghai Library registration desk.
II. On-site Card Application
| Requirement Type | User | Age | Identifications Required (Select one of the options) | Deposit | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Chinese Citizens Foreigners | ≥14 | 1. Chinese Resident ID card 2. Household Registration Book 3. Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents 4. Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwanese Residents 5. Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents 6. Foreign Passport 7. Foreigner's Permanent Residence Identity Card 8. Third Generation Social Security Card 9. Shanghai Residence Permit * To apply for a children's library card, valid identifications of the children and their guardian are both required. | None | Shanghai Library |
| General Loan | RMB100 or none with good credit record | Branch Libraries of the Shanghai Central Library | |||
| Reference Loan | RMB1000 | Shanghai Library | |||
| Children’s Book Loan | ˂14 | None | Branch Libraries of the Shanghai Central Library |
III. Qualifications for Online Library Card Application
| Requirement Type | User | Age | Information Required | Deposit | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Chinese Citizens Foreigners (a Chinese mobile phone number is required) | ≥14 | 1. Name 2. Valid ID number 3. Mobile phone number (SMS authentication required); mobile phone authentication of the guardians of minors under the age of 18 required | None | 1. Shanghai Library website 2. Shanghai Library Mini Program 3. Shanghai Library APP |
| General Loan | Pay a deposit of RMB100 online or apply for an exemption with good credit record (applicant's real name authentication required) | 1. Shanghai Library website 2. Shanghai Library Mini Program 3. Shanghai Library APP 4. Shanghai Library Book Home Delivery service platform |
IV. Deposit exemption with a Good Credit Record
Shanghai permanent residents over the age of 18 with a good public credit record in Shanghai can apply for the exemption. Applicants need to fill out the "Authorization Letter" and authorize the library to check their public credit information.
V. Acquiring a Physical Library Card
1. Readers who have applied the card online (reading card, general book loan card), or minors holding electronic student cards, can acquire a physical reader card using a valid ID at the Shanghai Library registration desk;
2. Those who have reached the age of 14 and hold a children's book loan card must first cancel the children’s card at the specific library that issued the card, and then apply for an adult library card.
VI. Library Card Loss Reporting
To report the loss of a library card, please go to the branch libraries of the Shanghai Central Library, or you can report the loss through the Shanghai Library website or the "Shanghai Library" WeChat mini program.
The reader shall be responsible for all types of book loan or misuse of the library card that occur before reporting the loss.
VII. Card Replacement and Deposit Refund
1. Locations
| Type of Library Card | Location |
|---|---|
| General Loan, Children’s Book Loan | Branch where you paid the deposit |
| Reference Loan, Reading Card | Shanghai Library |
2. For a library card replacement, a valid ID is required, and the original card function remains unchanged.
3. When you hold a library card with multiple functions, such as "General loan + Reference loan", "General loan + Reading", or "General loan + Reference loan + Reading", to replace the card, you need to go to the specific branch library where you paid the deposit for the general book loan function.
4. Deposit will be refunded upon returning all the books and equipments, and payment of all overdue fees or other charges.
5. When refunding the deposit, you must present a valid ID, deposit voucher, and the library card. When entrusting someone else to handle the refund of the deposit, the other person’s ID is required at the same time.
6. Replacement of a lost/damaged card costs RMB10.
VIII. Other requirements
1. Each reader can only apply for one library card;
2. The library card is only for personal use. If anyone uses another person's library card, the library has the right to withdraw the card.
Shanghai Library (Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of Shanghai)
April 2023
