User card information
To use the services of the Library, you must register and ask for the User Card

- The registration of under-12 year olds, inclusive, will always be done with the authorisation and identification of the parents or guardian;
- The card can be requested at the Service desk at the Library in Portimão or at the Reading Centres in Alvor and Mexilhoeira Grande;
- To obtain the card, you must present an identification document (ID card/citizen's card, etc., updated) and proof of residence in the municipality (water, electricity, etc., updated);

It is up to the service technician to confirm the validity of the documents presented.

1. The card is personal and non-transferable. The service technician may, in case of doubt, request identification from the user.

2. The card owner is responsible for its correct use and maintenance.

3. It is mandatory to present the User Card for home loan, using of computers in the reading rooms and audio-visual equipment.

4. The card is valid for three years. After this period of validity, the user must renew the card.

5. The loss or theft of the card must be reported as soon as possible, since until then only the card holder is responsible for it.

6. The costs of issuing duplicate cards will be borne by the user. The second copy may not be delivered immediately.

7. The card issued is valid for the Portimão Central Library and the Alvor and Mexilhoeira Grande Reading Centres, indifferently.

8. From the moment the user receives the card, he/she is obliged to comply with the rules described.

Note: Always bring your card when you come to the Library.

Home Loan Rules

a) Most of the documents that are freely accessible can be requested for home reading. Exceptions are marked with a label (C) on the volume.

b) It is possible to borrow up to 8 books for a period of 15 consecutive days, with the possibility of 2 renewals.

c) It is possible to borrow up to 3 documents such as news, multimedia and periodicals for a period of 15 consecutive days.

d) Multimedia and periodical documents can be renewed twice.

e) The loan renewal is not possible if the document has been reserved by another user and/or has already exceeded the return deadline.

f) New documents cannot be renewed.

g) The Library reserves the right to demand the return of the loan before the end of the period established, whenever it considers it necessary.

h) The total number of documents requested for reading at home is 8, within the limit established for each type of document, according to the previous paragraphs.

i) The Library reserves the right to apply specific lending rules to Specific Documentary Collections.