Your Account FAQs

  • My Password (or PIN)

    Your password (or PIN) is used with your library card to access your account and the MPL catalogue through the library’s website and app. You also need this password to access electronic resources offered at MPL.

     

    Your PIN is a password that is used with your library card to access your account online and to use online resources. Besides the previous default, 1234, the last six digits of your library card number were automatically created as your temporary PIN. For example, the PIN of a new customer with library card number, 23287007654321, ​will be 654321. If both 1234 or the last six digits of your library card number do not work  contact us at 905-513-7977 during library hours , opens a new windowor by email, opens a new window and we will reset your PIN.  

    Open the reset password page to reset your password. Alternatively, try to login using ‘1234’ or the last 6 digits of your library card as your password. Please contact us at 905-513-7977 during library hours or by email if you have any issues resetting your password.

    To change your password or PIN, log into your library account using your using name or library card number and your current password at https://markham.bibliocommons.com.
    Select My Settings from the drop down menu in the top right corner.
    Under Account Information choose the option to change your password.

    If you have forgotten your password, click on the Forgot Your Password link, opens a new window on the log in page. If you do not have an email address on file you will need to call  the Library to reset your password.

  • Borrowing

    The loan period of items varies, please check our Borrowing page for details. 

    We will do our best to help you track down any title you are interested in! There are several ways MPL can help you gain access to items you are interested in.
    First, make sure you have checked all relevant areas of our collection. For instance, if you are looking for a book, be sure to explore eBook or eAudiobook options as well; MPL works with a varity of partners (Overdrive, Hoopla, EBSCO eBooks, Gale Virtual Reference Library, TeenBookCloud, TumbleBookCloud Jr., TumbleBook Library, World Book eBooks, Open Textbook Library, Faded Page) to provide a wide selection of e-content. Similarly, if you are looking for a movie, be sure to check and see if there is a digital copy available through Hoopla or Overdrive.

    Second, you can let us know about the item by logging into your account and using the Suggest-a-Purchase form in the catalogue so we can investigate purchasing the item for MPL’s collection.

    Third, if the above options do not work out, you can reach out to staff in the branch who can explore options for borrowing the item from another system.

    When Markham Public Library purchases a new item, we make every effort to load the information about the title into the catalogue as soon as possible. For a few items, the information will be loaded into the catalogue weeks in advance of publication or arriving in the branch so eager customers can see the item and place holds if they are interested. For other items though, we cannot load the information into the catalogue until the item has arrived at the library.  If you feel that we have missed a title that was published more than 2 weeks ago, please see our guidelines on when we will consider Suggest-a-Purchase titles.

    Turn on your Borrowing History in your account settings to keep track of items you borrow. Only items that have been returned to the library since this feature was enabled will be listed. Items will stay on your Borrowing History for 6 months from the return date. You can view your Borrowing History by clicking on your username in the upper right hand side of the page. Borrowing History is one of the drop down options. 

  • Holds & Renewal

    Please log in to your account on https://markhampubliclibrary.ca, opens a new window and change the status to “Pause hold” if your hold is not already available for pick up. This will make sure that you keep moving up the queue, but don’t potentially get flooded with all of your holds at once. If you already received a notification that your hold is ready, please contact us at 905-513-7977 during library hours or by email to suspend the hold.

    Items that have a hold on them cannot be renewed; therefore, they will not automatically renew.
    Please check our Borrowing Page, opens a new window for details on item types that cannot be renewed.

    For your convenience, we will automatically renew your items 3 days before the due date. Items that have holds or have reached their renewal limit cannot be renewed. If any items are not renewed, you will receive a reminder email 2 days before the due date to return them.

    You have 7 days to pick up your hold(s).

    Please log in to your account on the library website https://markhampubliclibrary.ca to cancel any holds you no longer want.

    Most items can be renewed up to 10 times given there are no holds on the items.

    If you would like more time to enjoy an item you have borrowed, you have several options to renew it.

    • Online by logging into your account
    • Telecirc:  (905) 474-5966
    • Download the MPL app
    • Call a branch during our business hours at (905) 513-7977

    Most items are renewable provided there are no holds.  Visit the borrowing pages for more information. 

    Most items can be renewed up to 10 times given there are no holds on the item. Some exceptions apply. Please check the Renewing section on the Borrowing page, opens a new window for details.

    Different reasons include:

    • These item are not renewable  - Boomerang and Lendery items, toys and bikes
    • Magazines (only 1 non-auto-renewal allowed),
    • The item has holds on by other customers
    • You reached the renewal limit (most items can be renewed 10 times)
    • It’s too early to renew the item (you can only renew materials 14 days before the due date)
    • You have $20 or more in fines on your account

    See the borrowing page or renewing page for more information 

  • Fines

    Items will be deemed lost 21 days after the due date or shortly thereafter. Please see our Borrowing page, opens a new window for more details.

    Yes, you can pay your fees online by going to the Self-serve link on the MPL website. Select the Pay Fees drop down option. The minimum payment required in order to make a payment online is $2.00. You will need to log-in with your library card.

    No, Markham Public Library customers are not charged a late return fee.

     

  • No Late Charges Expansion

    Late charges are also called overdue fines which are fees accrued on any material not returned on or before its due date. This new program does not apply to fees related to lost or damaged items, or any administrative fees. Fees will still apply in these circumstances.

    Yes, while late charges are eliminated, customers are still expected to return items by their due dates to ensure availability for others. If Library items are not returned after a period of time or are lost or damaged, replacement charges will still apply. We will continue to send reminder notifications about due dates and overdue notices.

    Yes, any existing late charges will be waived as part of the program's expansion. Customers may need to update any missing information on their account, such as contact information, before they can have their overdue fees waived by staff.

    Customers will still be responsible for returning materials. We will continue to enforce replacement costs for lost (or damaged materials), either reported lost by the customer or designated by MPL as long overdue. You will still be charged for replacement costs for lost or damaged items.

    If you still have outstanding late charges, please speak with library staff to update your account and have these charges waived. Lost item fees can be waived by returning the item. However, replacement fees for damaged items cannot be waived.

    Most items may be renewed 10 times provided there is no one waiting for the item. Some exceptions apply. Please check the Renewing section on the Borrowing page, opens a new window for details.

    An item is generally considered lost if it has not been returned within 14 to 21 days after its due date, depending on the type of item. The replacement fee will vary depending on the item. We cannot accept replacements for lost items.