Troubleshooting Tips

Having technical problems with the Toronto Public Library website? Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try.

Check the time of day

At approximately 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time daily, some library website functions (account access, placing holds, location/status of materials) are not available for about 15 minutes due to website maintenance.

Check your bookmarks

Make sure you're using the correct address to access the Toronto Public Library website.

Check your browser

Our website supports the following browsers:

  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox

We recommend using the latest version of your browser.

If you're having problems with the library website, try using it in a different browser. This will help identify whether or not the problem is browser-specific.

Reset your browser

One quick troubleshooting option is to reset your browser to its default state. Resetting the browser removes custom settings and add-ons that could be causing problems with library website access.

If you don't want to reset your browser, try some of the following steps.

Clear your browser's history

Clearing your browsing history/cache can sometimes resolve problems.

How to clear your browser's cache

Check your browser's privacy settings

The library website uses cookies to manage your session when you are logged in. If your browser is set to block cookies, you will have problems when trying to place holds or access your account.

In Internet Explorer, we recommend using the Medium privacy setting when accessing the library website. See these instructions on managing privacy settings for more help.

Check your add-ons

Some types of browser add-ons can interfere with website access. One way to test for possible issues is to try using the library website in private browsing mode.

If the library website works in private browsing mode, you may need to disable one or more add-ons to get it to work in regular (non-private) mode - or you can reset your browser to get rid of add-ons.

Are you having problems in more than one browser?

If you're having the same problem in more than one browser, some other software on your computer/device may be affecting library website access.

If you are using an anti-virus/security program, you may need to create an exception for the Toronto Public Library website to ensure that no functionality or content is blocked. Check your program's help information to find out how to set up an exception.

Malware (malicious programs) can interfere with library website access. Symptoms of a malware infection may include popup windows advertising surveys and contests. If you think you may have malware on your computer/device, you should scan it using a security program or ask a knowledgeable person for help.

Do you want your browser to remember your library card and PIN numbers for future visits?

You will need to set your browser's Autocomplete or Password Manager to remember your library card and PIN numbers.

Are you connecting using the Z39.50 protocol?

Toronto Public Library Z39.50 Server Settings:

Host name: symphony.tpl.ca
Port: 2200
Database Name: unicorn
Search Map Name: unicorn_bth
Unicode Server: yes

How to get more help

Contact us if the above suggestions don't help.

Please include details about the browser and operating system you're using. If you're not sure, check WhatIsMyBrowser.com.