Borrowing Materials
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Borrowing Materials
- How long can I borrow materials for?
- Will I be notified something is overdue?
- What happens when I've lost something I've borrowed?
- The library says I have not returned something, but I'm sure I have. What can I do?
- I found a lost item that I've already paid for. Can I get my money back?
- How many items can I have out at one time?
- How do I renew items?
- Why can't I renew something?
- Am I eligible for Special Needs status?
- How long can I borrow materials for?
-
Schedule of Materials and Loan Periods Item Loan Period Book 21 days Best Bet 7 days Video (except language learning video) 7 days DVD (except language learning DVD) 7 days Language learning video or DVD (including literacy) 21 days CD 21 days Periodical or magazine 7 days CD-ROM 21 days eContent Varies as determined by licensing agreement Music score 21 days Picture collection 42 days Items provided by Home Library Service Extended loans as determined by City-wide Services Laptop 2 hours Museum & Arts Pass Expiry date as specified on the Pass Pedometer 21 days Most materials can be returned to any Toronto Public Library branch. Some items must be returned to the branch from which you borrowed them:
- Best Bets
- Interloan items
- Pedometers
- Toronto Reference Library picture collections
- Will I be notified something is overdue?
- When an item is overdue for 7 days, you will get a courtesy email or phone call to let you know. It's always your responsibility to return your items on time, even if you don't get the email or phone call.
- What happens when I've lost something I've borrowed?
- You'll have to pay the purchase price of the item. The library doesn't accept a replacement copy or an item of equivalent value.
If something is overdue by more than 56 days, the library considers it lost.
- The library says I have not returned something, but I'm sure I have. What can I do?
- The library can mark an item as being "reported returned". Staff get lists of items marked reported returned and search for them regularly. If the item is not checked in or out within 120 days, it's marked lost and a replacement charge will be added to your account. Also, many libraries are closed on Monday mornings, so if you returned something on the weekend staff might not check it in until later that afternoon.
- I found a lost item that I've already paid for. Can I get my money back?
- Keep your receipt!
If you find the item within 6 months of paying the replacement cost you can get a refund, minus any overdue fines.
- How do I renew items?
- By phone:
call the automated telephone renewals line at 416-395-5505
call Answerline at 416-393-7131
call your local branch
In the library:
use the online catalogue in any branch or ask staff
Online:
In Your Account click on the Checkouts tab, click the box beside the titles you want to renew and click Renew Selected Items.
The renewal starts as of the current date, not when the item was originally due.
- Why can't I renew something?
- There are a few reasons why you might not be able to renew an item
- Someone else has a hold on the item and is waiting for it.
- It's a feature DVD that we've had for less than 6 months.
- You have renewed it twice already.
- It's a Best Bet - a new and popular title that can only be taken out for 1 week.
- Your library card has expired.
- You have exceeded the overdue fines threshold.
- Am I eligible for Special Needs status?
- People with disabilities may apply to have fine exempt status. You will need to fill out the Special Needs Application formand have it completed by a health care professional.