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

    • You can borrow up to 100 physical items on your card and an additional 50 electronic items.
    • If the item has holds on it the loan period may be reduced.

    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 be automatically renewed either. The following items cannot be renewed: Boomerang Books, Boomerang DVDs and Boomerang Blu Rays, Lendery items, bikes and toys. 

    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.

    Please check our Placing Holds page for details

    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.

    You can borrow up to 100 items on a single card. You can have a maximum of 75 holds per library card.

    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 our Renewing page for details. https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/renewing/

    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 fines of more than $20 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. The replacement fee will vary depending on the item.

    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 $5.00. You will need to log-in with your library card.

    For more details please visit our Service Fees page.

  • Fine Free cards for Children & Teens

    Fines are barriers to library access. MPL is committed to reducing barriers and supporting equitable access to literacy in our community. By removing barriers to accessing the Library for children and teens, we are connecting them to information and resources they need for school, for lifelong learning, and for culture and entertainment.

    Overdue fines is also also called late fees which are fees accrue 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, you still need to return your Library items as soon as you can so that others may use them. Library collections are a resource that we share as a community. You are allowed 10 renewals providing that no one else has a hold on the item. 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, providing that their profiles are updated with the appropriate information, these fees will be waived. If you still see overdue charges on your child’s account, please contact us at 905-513-7977 during library hours or by email, opens a new window and update your child’s profile.

    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.

    Only overdue fines have been waived. If the charge is for lost items, replacement costs are assessed. If you return the previously lost item, the overdue fines will be waived. If the charge is for a damaged item, the charge still stands.

    Most items may be renewed 10 times provided there is no one waiting for the item. Some exceptions apply. Please check our Renewing page for details.

    Items will be deemed lost after being overdue for 21 days. The replacement fee will vary depending on the item. We cannot accept replacements for lost items.