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Adults

Adults and Seniors

The Barrie Public Library is one of the busiest spots in our city, with over 3,000 people coming through our doors every day. Visit our Downtown and Painswick branches to find books, movies, TV shows, video games, magazines and more.

Get a Library Card

If you live in Barrie or Oro-Medonte, are a Georgian College student, or belong to the Midland or Orillia Public Libraries, you can register for a free library card.  Find out about our loan periods for different items and fines if you’re late bringing them back.

Borrowing Items

Search our library catalogue to find materials, place holds and renew your borrowed items. Log in to your account to view the items you have checked out, renew them and see any fines you might have.

If you prefer digital, you can use your library card to access our Digital Library to read magazine and newspaper articles online, learn a new language, download schematics to fix your vehicle, take online courses and so much more.

We also have French resources and services for kids, teens and adults.

Wi-Fi and Computers

The Library offers free Wi-Fi to use on your own devices and computer workstations at both locations.  Refer to our Services page for current details.

Free Programs and Events

We have over 100 free programs for all ages every month – from travel programs and craft clubs to gardening workshops and computer classes.  View our upcoming programs below or visit our online calendar to see everything available.

Events for Adults

L o a d i n g

Astronomy: A Student's Journey

September 19 | 10:30AM
Painswick | Massie Family Program Room

Introduction to Ancestry (Reg.)

September 19 | 2:30PM
Painswick | Massie Room

Learn Spanish (Reg.)

September 19 | 7:00PM
Painswick | Massie Family Program Room
full calendar

Digital Downloads

Download the Hoopla app or visit Hoopla online to download eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows and comics. Register for Hoopla for free with your library card and borrow up to 8 items per month – that means you can watch 8 movies or TV episodes, or borrow 8 eBooks or Audiobooks every month for free, with no wait lists. 

You can also borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libraries on the Go. Download the OverDrive app called Libby to browse from your phone or tablet.

Access RBdigital to read and download hundreds of online magazines like Popular Science, SKI, Nylon, OK Magazine, US Weekly, Wired, Men’s Health, Rolling Stone, InStyle and more. You can read back issues, and sign up to get notified when new ones come out.

Visiting Library Service

Visiting Library Service is a free service available to anyone in Barrie or Oro-Medonte unable to visit the library in person. Staff will help you make great selections, and our volunteers will deliver the library materials right to your home! 

You can use the service on a temporary basis if, for example, you are recovering from surgery, at home with multiple newborn babies or housebound in the winter.  Learn more about Visiting Library Service.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, meet new friends and make a difference in your community. We have lots of great opportunities for volunteers, including at our Barrie Dragon Boat Festival in August, positions at the library and programs and events throughout the year. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities.

Find organizations in the community that are looking for volunteers through our Community Information Database  and the Barrie Association of Volunteer Administrators.

Parents and Teachers

Our Parenting collection is located on the second floor beside the kid’s picture book area. It has books and DVDs on parenting children from infants through to the teenage years, as well as basic pregnancy resources. We also have books on sensitive topics like bullying, death, divorce, and illness to share with children. Resources that cover difficult pregnancies or other pregnancy health concerns are located in the adult non-fiction on the main floor

Information Barrie

Need information about what's available in the Barrie area? Search our Information Barrie Community Database for listings of community groups, agencies, services, government offices, churches, schools, volunteer opportunities, daycare services, support groups and more. Each listing contains details about that organization, including description, address, hours, and contact information.

Great Books for Adults