Borrowing
Welcome to Markham Public Library! To borrow items from us, you'll need an MPL library card—it's your key to accessing everything we offer, from books and DVDs to digital resources. This page will guide you through the borrowing process, including loan periods, renewals, and other helpful tips to make your experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Loan period
is the length of time that you can borrow library materials. Loan periods depend on the item type borrowed.
- If the item has holds on it, the loan period may be reduced.
Extended Loans are available for items that are not in high demand if you need the item for longer than a typical loan period. We reserve the right to limit or deny extended loans on specific items. Please ask staff for assistance extending a loan.
Limits are the number of specific item types you can check out at one time. Materials with an asterisk (*) in the chart below have no item type limits, but the maximum limits per card apply.
Maximum limits per card (these limits apply to all item types)
- You may have a maximum of 100 library items on loan at one time.
Renewals extend the loan periods of library materials. See the table below for which items you can renew and how many times you can renew them.
- You cannot renew items that are on hold for other customers.
- You cannot renew items if you have lost your borrowing privileges.
- Our system will automatically renew all eligible items 3 days before the due date. The number of times you can renew an item is 10 unless otherwise stated in the table below.
Boomerang are popular items available at the Library on a first-come-first-served basis.
| Item Type | Loan Period | Limit | Renewals |
| Boomerang Books | 14 Days | * | 0 |
| Boomerang DVD/Blu-Rays | 7 Days | * | 0 |
| Board Books | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| Books | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| CDs | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| DVD/Blu-Rays | 7 Days | * | 10 |
| DVD/Blu-Ray Series/Sets | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| Language Learning Material | 42 Days | * | 10 |
| Magazines | 7 Days | * | 1 |
| PlayAways | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| Talking Books on CD | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| Videogames | 7 Days | 10 | 10 |
MPL is so much more than books! Our special collections have an amazing selection of unique physical items you can borrow for free with your library membership. Borrow equipment, tools, technologies, household items, and more.
| Item Type | Loan Period | Limit | Renewals |
| Bikes
(seasonal) |
14 Days | 4 | 0 |
| Book Club Items (currently running book club titles) | 14 Days | 2 | 0 |
| Book Club Kits | 42 Days | * | 3 |
| CO2 Monitors | 7 Days | 1 | 1 |
| Daisy Players | 42 Days | 1 | 10 |
| Dementia Care Kits | 42 Days | 3 | 1 |
| Digital Media Equipment | 14 Days | 3 | 0 |
| Energy Meters | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| Enviropacks | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| Equipment | 21 Days | * | 1 |
| Instruments | 14 Days | 3 | 0 |
| Launchpads | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| Lendery | 14 Days | 3 | 0 |
| Passes | 7 Days | 1 | 1 |
| Pedometers | 21 Days | * | 10 |
| Toys | 14 Days | 3 | 0 |
| Trailhead | 14 Days | 3 | 0 |
Holds enable you to reserve an item that is not currently available (or is at a different branch) and have it delivered to your preferred MPL branch pick-up location.
Placing Holds
- You must have a valid MPL library card to place holds.
- You can place a hold on our website or in our app.
- You can have a maximum of 75 holds on physical items at any one time.
- If an item cannot be placed on hold, it will say “not holdable” in the catalogue.
Please cancel holds on items you no longer need to increase the availability of Library materials to others. You can do this by:
-
- Accessing your customer account through MPL's online catalogue OR
- Using the computers in the libraries OR
- Contacting your local branch OR
- Calling TeleCirc, MPL's automated telephone system, at 905-474-5966
Picking Up Your Hold
- When your item is ready to be picked up, you can be notified via email or phone. The default to be notified about your hold is email (if you have one listed in your account). If you want to change the way you are being notified, please contact us.
- Once you are notified, head down to the branch you selected for pick up, pick your hold up off the Holds Shelf (organized by the last 6 digits of your library card number and first 3 letters of your last name) and check out the item (using the same card that placed the request).
- You have 7 days to pick up your hold (your notification will tell you the exact date by which you need to pick up your hold).
- To check out the item you will need to bring the library card on which the hold was placed.
Items may be returned at any open branch or by using the drop boxes which are open 24/7 for your convenience. Visit the Hours & Locations page to see branches open and hours of service.
Some items must be returned to the branch they were borrowed from. It will be listed on the item packaging. Please do not use the Drop Box when you are returning these items.
Kids and teens are not charged for any late returns. Late return charges still apply to all other types of accounts. This fee is applied when library materials are not returned by their due date.
If an item is not returned by its due date or shortly thereafter, the cardholder may have a lost item charge attached to their account. This charge will remain on the account until the item is returned or the charge is paid. For more information, please contact your local branch.
If an item is not returned by its due date or shortly thereafter, the cardholder may have a lost item charge attached to their account for the full cost of the item. This charge will remain on the account until the item is returned or the charge is paid. For more information, please contact your local branch.
We cannot accept replacements for lost items. All payments are final.
If you lose or damage a library item, a replacement fee will be charged. Replacement fees are applicable to all lost or damaged materials, including peripherals such as MPL bags, RFID tags, library barcodes, and plastic sleeves for tags.
Service charges are also applicable if you lose your library card, use a fee-based service, or if your cheque is returned NSF. Please refer to the Service Charge page for details.
Third-Party Material Recovery Agency
MPL uses a third-party material recovery agency for customers with unpaid bills of $40 or over on their library account. A non-refundable administration fee of $15 is automatically added to any customer account sent to the third-party agency.
This agency helps the Library recover material so that it can be made available to other customers.
(Note: If you are returning an item that has been overdue for more than a year, please return it in person to the Service Desk and not through a book drop, as the item may no longer be in our system).
You are responsible for all the materials borrowed on your card and for any charges on items that are lost or damaged. Your borrowing privileges will be suspended if you:
- Owe more than $20 to the library
To restore borrowing privileges, keep your account in good standing.