CKAT - the Library's Online Catalogue

Convenience is key…

• You can search the collections of all 11 locations for books, videos, books on tape, compact discs, and more
• You can check on the availability of an item, place a hold and arrange for pick-up at your local branch
• You can log on to your personal library account to view and renew items currently checked out, place or cancel holds on specific items, keep track of item due dates, and check for outstanding overdue charges
• You can connect to online databases to search for full-text articles from newspapers, magazines and other resources.

Online Databases

We've expanded our online resources and delivered them right to your home computer. Use your patron card number to access valuable research tools from home. Vist us online at www.chatham-kent.ca/ckat  and select the Online Resources tab.

Download a copy of our Online Services Brochure.

Adult Literacy Collection
Want to learn or improve your English? The adult literacy collection, on the second floor at the Chatham location, is designed for adults who wish to learn English as a second language or improve their English skills. It includes books, audio cassettes, CDs, and books on CD. Items can be sent to any branch for pick-up. Ask at the Information Desk for more details.

Home Library Service
This service is available for patrons who are homebound due to illness, age, or disability. A variety of materials, including books, paperbacks, large print books and talking books, are selected and delivered by volunteers to you free of charge.

Large Print
Unable to read conventional print? Our branches offer a wide selection of large print books, including bestsellers, romances and mysteries. Pick one up or reserve one and arrange for pick-up at your local branch.

Multilingual Collection
Our multilingual collection offers books, videocassettes and audiocassettes in various languages, such as Dutch, Vietnamese, German, Chinese, Polish and Russian. Ask about Interlibrary Loan service for those languages or materials that are not part of our collection.

Talking Books
These are complete (unabridged) works of fiction and non-fiction recorded on audiocassette. Use is restricted to patrons who, because of physical disabilities, cannot hold, handle, or see well enough to read standard print material. Audiocassette players are available free of charge to patrons in need. For more information call: 519.354.2940.

Internet Access
Through funding from Industry Canada's Community Access Program and local contributions, Internet access is available free of charge at all Library locations. To take advantage of this service, you must have a valid Chatham-Kent Public Library card and be registered to use the Internet. Children under 16 years of age must have a parent or guardian co-sign their Internet registration form.

The Internet is a tool for lifelong learning, providing a wealth of information. But like all resources, not all material is suitable for all age levels or tastes. As with books, magazines, videos, and television programs, there will be some items which you may find controversial or inappropriate for yourself or your children. Parents are encouraged to supervise their children's Internet sessions, and to inform their children if there are resources they don't want the child to access.

Patrons must adhere to the Library's Internet Access Policy. Any individual violating the conditions outlined in the policy will be denied access at the discretion of the Chatham-Kent Public Library.

Book a computer station at one of our branches.

Community Access Program
The Community Access Program (CAP) is a Government of Canada initiative, administered by Industry Canada, that aims to provide Canadians with affordable public access to the Internet and the skills they need to use it effectively.

With the combined efforts of the federal, provincial and territorial governments, community groups, social agencies, libraries, schools, volunteer groups and the business community, CAP helps Canadians, wherever they live, take advantage of emerging opportunities in the new global knowledge-based economy. Under CAP, public locations like schools, libraries and community centres act as "on-ramps" to the Information Highway, and provide computer support and training.

At various times throughout the year, CAP workers are available to tutor patrons on use of the Internet. Please call x232 for information on the availability of these services.

Local History
The McKeough Local History Room at the Chatham Library is the repository of an exceptional collection of local history material that is available for use in-library only. Genealogists and historians can explore this wealth of material with the assistance of the Information Staff.

The Library also provides a fee-based research service. The cost for research services is $45.00/hour, with a minimum fee of $12.00, plus HST. Printouts are $0.25 per page and postage is $1.00.

Smaller local history collections that pertain mainly to their own communities are housed in many of our branch libraries. These collections include local newspapers on microfilm and microfiche.

For more information: 

CKlibrary@chatham-kent.ca