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 |
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
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.