Borrowing

For most membership types, up to 100 items may be signed out on a library card.

Loan Periods & Information

Item Loan Period Limit on # of this type borrowed Are renewals allowed (if item isn't on hold) Are holds allowed on these items?
Books 3 weeks   Yes Yes

Popular Books
(as marked)

14 days   Yes Yes
FastReads 7 days 2 No No
Magazines 3 weeks   Yes Yes
CDs 3 weeks   Yes Yes
Recorded Books 3 weeks   Yes Yes
Kits 3 weeks   Yes Yes
DVDs 3 weeks   Yes Yes
DVDs - TV 3 weeks   Yes Yes
FastViews 7 days   No No
Park and Museum Passes 7 days 1 No Yes
Board Games 3 weeks 5 Yes Yes
Hotspots 2 weeks 1 No Yes
Vox and Playaway Books 3 weeks 3 Yes

Yes

Basketballs 3 hours   No No
Nordic Walking Poles 1 week 3 Yes Yes
Explore Nature Kits 3 weeks 3 Yes Yes
Vinyl Records 3 weeks   Yes Yes
Radon Monitors 3 weeks 1 Yes Yes

In special circumstances, it may be possible to borrow item(s) for an extended loan. Ask staff in the library, phone 519-886-1310 ext. 110 or email us (askus@wpl.ca) for details.

You are responsible for returning or renewing borrowed items on time.

My Account

Through "My Account" customers can:

  • renew material
  • pay overdue fines and fees (click here to learn about how WPL is now permanently fine free!)
  • place holds
  • set up reading history to track all items borrowed from WPL
  • create lists of reminders of what to read next etc.

NOTE: My Account may not be available during scheduled system maintenance:

  • Monday to Thursday 11:00pm to 12:00am
  • Friday and Saturday 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Renewals

If you’d like to keep borrowed items beyond their due date, it may be possible to renew them. Most library items can be renewed twice (as long as no one has placed a hold on them) and most DVDs can be renewed once. FastRead books and FastView DVDs cannot be renewed.

To renew library materials online:

  • Sign into My Account, with your name and library barcode number
  • Under Checkouts, check the box(es) next to the item(s) you would like to renew
  • Click Renew Marked to renew the selected items

Our staff may also assist you in the library, by phone 519-886-1310 ext. 110 or by email (askus@wpl.ca) Please have your library card ready.

NOTE: My Account may not be available during scheduled system maintenance:

  • Monday to Thursday 11:00pm to 12:00am
  • Friday and Saturday 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Holds

If a library item you want to borrow is already checked out, or is available at another Waterloo Public Library location, you can place a hold on the item in the library catalogue:

  • Sign into My Account, with your name and library barcode number
  • Search for the item in the library catalogue, and click Place a Hold
  • Choose your preferred pick-up location and click Submit

Our staff may also assist you in the library, by phone 519-886-1310 ext. 110 or by email (askus@wpl.ca). Please have your library card ready.

You’ll be notified by email or by phone when the item is available for you. You will have 3 open library days to pick up your hold.

To view your items on hold, sign into My Account and select Holds.

NOTE: My Account may not be available during scheduled system maintenance:

  • Monday to Thursday 11:00pm to 12:00am
  • Friday and Saturday 6:00pm to 7:00pm

John M. Harper Branch Holds Lockers

Pick up your holds even when the library is closed! You can request items to be delivered to the Holds Lockers at the John M. Harper Branch and retrieve them using your library card. These small library lockers are located just outside the library’s entrance inside the building we share with the Stork Family YMCA. If the building is open, you can retrieve your holds.
 

Watch a video tutorial
 

How to Use the Holds Lockers

  1. Place your holds using our online catalogue or ask staff for assistance. Be sure to select WPL John M. Harper Holds Lockers as the pick-up location when you submit your request.
  2. Wait for an email or phone call from us to tell you that your hold is ready.
  3. Visit to the library during Stork Family YMCA Open Hours.
  4. At the locker, scan your library card and select your locker(s).
  5. Retrieve all of your items when the locker(s) open and then carefully close the locker door.
  6. Choose ‘done’ on the screen to select your receipt option and end your session.
     

About the Holds Lockers

  • There are 34 lockers that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Some library items, such as walking poles and select board games, may not fit in the lockers. If you request an item that doesn’t fit, library staff will inform you by email.
  • It may take staff some time to retrieve your holds and place them in the locker. The lockers are loaded once each day. Please wait to be notified (by email or phone) that your holds are ready. You will then have 3 days to pick up your hold from the lockers, just like regular holds.
  • To retrieve holds, you must use the same library card you used to place the holds.
  • When you open a locker door (using your card), all of the items inside it are checked out to you. Please take them all or place items you no longer want in the returns slot in the wall nearby.
  • Library staff are available to support you during open library hours.

Cancelling Holds

  • Sign into My Account and select Holds
  • Under Cancel, check the box(es) next to the item(s) on hold that you would like to cancel
  • Click Update List to cancel the selected holds

If you’re going to be away or will be unable to pick up your holds for a period of time, you can temporarily freeze or suspend your holds. This will ensure that you don’t lose your place on the wait list.

To freeze your holds:

  • Sign into My Account and select Holds
  • Under Freeze, check the box(es) next to the item(s) on hold that you would like to freeze
  • Click Update List to freeze the selected holds
  • To re-activate (or Unfreeze) your holds, uncheck the boxes next to the items and click Update List

Returns

  • Borrowed items can be returned to any of our Waterloo Public Library locations.
  • External book returns are available 24 hours a day and items can be returned inside any location during regular library hours.
  • Please allow for 1-2 business days for returned items to be removed from your library account.