Using the library

Library card

To use the library’s services, you need a PIKI library card common to the libraries of Pirkanmaa. A patron can only have one PIKI library card in use, and this is valid for all public libraries in Pirkanmaa.  The library card is personal. The owner of the card or their guardian is responsible for the material borrowed with the card.

Acquiring a library card

The first card is free of charge, and you can get it from the library’s patron service desk. Please bring your ID with you. A child can have their own library card. In Pirkkala, they get one at the latest with their class at the beginning of preschool. Patrons under the age of 15 can get a card with the permission of a guardian. The guardian signs the application form and is responsible for the child’s loans and charges. You can fill the library card pre-registration form online or print the form in paper. The forms are available also at the libraries.

If you lose your library card

If you lose your library card, please report this to the library. You can do this at any PIKI library. A library card that has been reported lost can no longer be used and the patron is not responsible for the material borrowed with the card after the report. A new card can be acquired at the patron service desk at the cost of 2 euros.

Library card PIN

The library card PIN is set when acquiring the card. If you forget it or want to change it, contact the library’s patron service staff. You can also change the PIN in the PIKI online library.

You will need the library card PIN when you borrow items using a self-service kiosk, make reservations, renew your loans, pay your charges in the online library or borrow e-resources. The PIN is also required to use the library’s computers and self-service facilities.

Adding family members’ library cards to an account

The cards of dependants and family members can be linked to your account in the PIKI online library. After linking the card, by logging in to the online library with their own credentials, the guardian can renew their dependants’ loans, change and cancel their reservations and pay their charges. To add a library card to your account, you need the number and the PIN of the card.

Once the dependant reaches the age of 15, the guardian should remove their dependant’s card from their account.

Loans, renewals and returns

Borrowing is free of charge. The number of loans in a card is limited to 300 loans at a time. Age limits affect the borrowing of films and games. After borrowing, you will receive a receipt indicating the date by which the loans must be returned or renewed. If you wish, you can choose to receive reminders of upcoming due dates via email. The due date reminder service is an additional service and even if the patron does not receive the reminder in a case of technical difficulties, they are still responsible for returning or renewing the loans on time. The patron is also responsible for their charges.

You can renew your loans up to five times. Renewal will not be possible if there is a reservation for the item or if you have outstanding charges of €15 or more. Loans are renewed either in the online library, or by contacting the library. You can find the contact information on the front page.

Returning the loans when the library is closed

At the Pirkkala main library, Kirkonkylä library and Nuoliala library, you can return loans also when the library is closed. The return hatch of the main library is located behind the building, and next to the entrance at Kirkonkylä and Nuoliala libraries. There is no return hatch at Toivio library. During self-service hours, you can return loans with self-service kiosks inside the libraries. To use the self-service facilities, you need a library card and a PIN linked to it.

You can also reserve books

You can make reservations at the library or in the PIKI online library. Reserving items from the Pirkkala collection is free of charge. Reservations from other libraries in the PIKI area are subject to a regional charge of €2 per reservation. There is a charge of €1 for reservations not picked up by the due date. The number of reservations is limited to 300 at a time.

If the material you are looking for is not available in Pirkanmaa at all, you can make an interlibrary reservation. To make an interlibrary reservation, please contact the library.

Reservations can only be borrowed with the card with which the reservation was made. The libraries of Pirkkala do not transfer reservations to anyone other than the person who made the reservation. If someone needs to pick up your reservation for you, please contact the library in advance.

Applications and mobile cards

The PIKI online library operates also on browsers of mobile devices. After logging in, a patron can use their electric library card, renew their loans, carry out searches and reservations, and link their family members’ and dependants’ library cards to their account. You can also read more about library applications on the PIKI website.