1. Where can I apply for a library card?
    Tianjin Library has Library Card Issue Offices at all of its three branches.
    Tel of Cultural Center Branch: 84884604; Tel of Fukang Road Branch: 23620840; Tel of Haihe Education Park Branch: 28626900
    2. What kinds of Library Card there are in Tianjin Library?
    Based on the deposit amount or reader types, the Library Card are equipped with three kinds of functions, including Chinese collection lending, Chinese and foreign collection lending, as well as children’s collection lending for readers to choose. Please be informed that one card cannot have three functions at the same time.
    3. When can I apply for the Library Card?
    The Library Card Issue Offices at Cultural Center Branch and Fukang Road Branch are open from 9:00 to 18:00 (Monday: 14:00 to 18:30) during May to September; from 9:00 to 17:30 (Monday: 14:00 to 17:30) during October to next April; and from 9:00 to 16:30 at national statutory holidays. The Library Card Issue Office at Haihe Education Center Branch is open from 9:00 to 16:30 from Tuesday to Saturday and is closed at national statutory holidays.
    4. What are the procedures to apply for Library Card?
    For readers at the age above 14 that apply for Tianjin Library Card for the first time, readers can bring their second-generation ID card or other valid identification documents (including social security card, driver’s license, military ID card, Exit/Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau, Home Return Permit for Taiwan Residents and foreign passports), fill in the personal information and put a certain amount of deposit to obtain the Library Card for free.
    5. Can children apply for Library Card?
    When readers under the age of 14 apply for Tianjin Library Card for the first time, parents are required to accompany their children and bring their household register, fill in the personal information and put a certain amount of deposit to obtain the Library Card for free.
    6. What services can the Library Card with the “Chinese collection lending” function provide?
    Readers with the “Chinese collection lending” Library Card can borrow five books from the three branches and from public libraries at districts and counties that are in the inter-library network and 5 Chinese periodicals from Cultural Center Branch and Fukang Road Branch; and read Chinese collections at the Library.
    7. What services can the Library Card with the “Chinese and foreign collection lending” function provide?
    Readers with the “Chinese and foreign collection lending” Library Card can borrow one foreign book from Cultural Center Branch, five Chinese books from the three Branches and from public libraries at districts and counties that are in the inter-library network, and 5 Chinese periodicals from Cultural Center Branch and Fukang Road Branch; and read Chinese and foreign collections at the Library.
    8. What services can the Library Card with the “children’s collection lending” function provide?
    Readers with the “children’s collection lending” Library Card can borrow two Chinese children books and one children’s periodical from Cultural Center Branch; and read children collections at the Library.
    9. What if I lose my Library Card?
    If you lose you Library Card, please immediately report the loss to the Library with your valid identification documents. During the time the Card is lost, all the functions (excluding the function of book return) would be temporarily shut off. After the Card is reported lost for one week, you can apply for a new card to replace the old card with valid identification documents.
    10. How do I apply for a Tianjin Public Library Universal Card?
    Readers that have not applied for any kind of card before at Tianjin Library (Cultural Center Branch, Fukang Road Branch and Haihe Education Park) would be regarded as first-time applicants for the Universal Card. Readers at and above the age of 14 that apply for the Universal Card can bring their second-generation ID card to the membership libraries at districts and counties to fill in the personal information and put a certain amount of deposit to obtain the Library Card for free. Readers that have overdue library cards of Tianjin Library will have to apply for the Universal Card at branches of Tianjin Library (Cultural Center Branch and Fukang Road Branch). After going through all the procedures to cancel the overdue card (including clearing fines, returning every book and getting back the deposit) at the Library Card Issue Office, readers can then apply for a new Universal Card according to the rules.
    11. How do I report loss of Tianjin Public Library Universal Card?
    If you lose your Universal Card, please immediately report the loss to the membership libraries with your second-generation ID card. During the time the Card is lost, all the functions (excluding the function of book return) would be temporarily shut off.
    12. How do I apply for a new Tianjin Public Library Universal Card after I report loss?
    One week after your report, please bring your valid identification documents to the branches of Tianjin Library (Cultural Center Branch and Fukang Road Branch) to apply for a new card. If your card is no longer functional due to artificial damages, please bring your valid identification documents to replace it with a new card.
    13. How do I close the Tianjin Public Library Universal Card?
    Please bring your identification card and your Universal Card to Tianjin Library (Cultural Center Branch or Fukang Road Branch) to close the Card. After making sure there are no records of overdue fines and books to be returned in the library system, please fill in the application form to close the Card. The Card Issue Office will then return the deposit to you, and at the same time shut off its function of borrowing. If you plan to ask others to close the Card for you, the Card bearer should bring his or her as well as your identification cards to the Library to close the Card. If your Card is lost, please report loss to the Library, and then apply for the return of deposit one week after the report. Please take good care of your Card after the deposit is returned. The Card will function again if you repay the deposit.