Frequently Asked Questions

MPL offers a variety of options for homebound service. Please reach out to your preferred branch to learn more about which option works best for you or your loved one.

MPL accepts donations which are funneled into our upcoming book sales. Funds generated are used to improve library collections and services.  

Here are some items we are looking for in particular:

• Children’s books (especially picture books, chapter books & levelled readers)
• Craft, Home & Garden titles
• Language & Learning titles
• Cook Books
• Books in the fields of science and social science published within 5 years 
• Video Games

Condition of items:

• Items in good to excellent condition, new or nearly new, complete, clean, unmarked
• Non-fiction titles should be published within the past 5 years

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Opportunities to work at MPL are posted on our Employment Page. Diversity is one of Markham's seven strategic priorities and we strive to develop and maintain an environment where everyone feels welcome to participate and where respect and acceptance is practiced in words and actions by all.

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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.

Flyers can posters that meet our posting requirement can be posted on the branches' community boards. Please check out posting policy for details. 

Check out our amazing Makerspace equipment and software coming soon.

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Makerspaces are collaborative spaces where creative ideas are shared and brought to life.

Yes, you completely own all of your content you create using our computers. Please make sure to save your work on your USB as our computer refresh and delete work daily at the end of the day.

You can now get an eCard by applying online. You can apply for a library card at one of the open branches as well. 

Item: C02 Monitor

Loan Period: 7 days

Renewals: Yes

Holds: Yes

Loans/Card: 1

Daily Late Return Charge: : $5/day

Maximum Late Return Charge: $25

Replacement Cost:  $340

JobNow offers a variety of career- and job-related services and resources, including resources on resume writing, job searching, developing interview skills, learning job-specific skills, and so on. You can use the live career coaching services offered by JobNow to get instantaneous advice from professional career coaches through chat, video or audio conferencing, and screen-sharing.

You can access JobNow using your library card number and PIN, the same way as you would log in to your MPL user account.

To access the live career coaching services, simply click on the career coaching link under the appropriate heading/topic. For example, the following links all lead to the live career coaching service:

• Live Resume Expert
• Live Interview Coach
• Live Life Skills
• Live Job Coach

Please notice that the live career coaching services are only available from 2 PM to 11 PM daily, except for U.S. holidays.

In Libby, you can tag titles that is not currently offered by the library using “Notify Me” smart tags. If the library purchases titles that you have tagged with the “Notify Me” smart tag, you will receive a notification to borrow it if it is available or directly place a hold. For more details about “Notify Me” smart tags, see this article.

You can receive a copy of OverDrive title history for your records by selecting your Shelf, then History, then Actions and finally Email History. You will be prompted to enter your email address, after which select Submit. For further details, see these instructions.

Libby:
Borrowing history can be accessed by selecting the Timeline icon (look for the ‘clock’ icon located in the footer menu in Libby). For further details and exceptions, see the Libby Help website .

Yes. You have the option to renew a magazine within 3 days of the end of the lending period. Since magazines are offered under simultaneous use, you can also borrow the magazine again at any time.

The Kid’s Makerspace has materials and activities that will appeal primarily to children ages 2 to 12, though younger and older kids (and kids at heart) are also welcome!

Maker kits are designed to facilitate learning and play for all ages and skill levels. Each kit comes with a piece of new technology, accessories if required, and some instructions to help get you started. You can borrow them for use in-branch in the Kid’s Makerspace at Cornell Library.

Maker Kits can be borrowed for up to 1 hour for in-branch use in the Kids Makerspace. If you would like to extend your booking with the Maker Kit, please inquire with a staff member to see if possible

Staff can assist you with the borrowing process at our Children’s Information Desk. All customers MUST have a Program Registration and Facility Booking account in order to book a Maker Kit. You will also need to agree to our Maker Kit Special Collections Agreement. From there, you can decide which kit you would like to borrow for use in the Kids Makerspace. You would then provide us with either your library card or piece of ID as collateral while you borrow the kit. Once you are finished with the kit, please return it to our Children’s Information Desk and a staff member will give you back your library card or piece of ID.

Yes, you can pre-book a Maker Kit up to 1 week in advance. This can be done either in-person at the branch or by phone. Bookings must take place during the following times:

Monday - Thursday: 10am - 7pm

Friday: 10am - 4pm

Saturday: 10am - 3pm

Sunday: 1:30pm - 3:30pm

*Please note that hours are subject to availability & staff capacity

Only 1 Maker Kit can be borrowed per booking.

STEAM Activities use different types of toys to help your child to develop their skills and understanding of concepts in relation to science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. We provide STEAM activities to families in our community throughout the year as free, drop-in programs. For more information, ask a staff member.

As long as you are 14 years of age and older,  you can join our volunteer team! Markham Public Library has many fun and engaging volunteer opportunities that will help you gain valuable skills and experience. 

Yes, once you are qualified to volunteer, you can pick any volunteer opportunities that best fit you. 

Each region has its own process of obtaining a VSC. Please visit your regional police website and follow its VSC process.

Cricut’s heat press guide makes it easy to find the recommended settings for you to use for your project. You simply select the heat press you'll be using and then select from the drop down menus the heat transfer material you will be using and the base material you will be placing your design onto. If you still aren’t sure if the fabric or material will work with the easy press, please bring it in and our Digital Literacy Specialists can assist you.

Yes, we have regular and iron-on vinyl for sale at our branches along with cardstock and felt. Please check our makerspace pricing list for specific material fees.

Yes, customers can bring in their own materials to use with our different vinyl cutters and heat presses. We encourage you to check in with our Digital Literacy Specialists to make sure your materials are compatible with our machines before beginning your project.

Please refer to our makerspace pricing list for specific equipment and material fees.

The Cricut and Graphtec CE6000-60 have their own apps to modify your personal design and operate their machines.  The app is mandatory to operate the machines.  Links to apps below.  Also for more detail, please click here. 

No it does not. Our computers refresh and delete work daily at the end of the day.

Any types of video digitizing take the same time as the length of the video. If the tape is 2 hours long, the digitizing will take 2 hours.

Yes, there is no cost to using our digitizing equipment. 

It does not save onto Makerspace computers; it saves onto the USB patron provides. 

Our VHS converter is compatible on any VHS player, so if you have a PAL VHS player at home, then the converter can convert your PAL tapes. If your VHS player is universal, then it can convert whatever tapes you have.

Capacity limits for each study room will be posted on Markham’s Program Registration and Facility Booking platform.

Study rooms can be reserved up to 1 week in advance.

We do not currently offer wireless printing.

Visit our  Room Rentals page for room sizes, locations and rates.

You can book a space by contacting the branch directly. Our staff can confirm the availability and accept your room rental application.Visit our  Room Rentals page for room sizes, locations and rates.

Visit our  Room Rentals page for room sizes, locations and rates.

Each study room is available to be booked for 2 hours per account per day.

eCards are only available to new customers who live, attend school, work or own a property in Markham. In order to sign up, a valid Markham address will be needed.

eCards are currently limited to Markham users. 

No, you will be able to access all of our digital resources with your eCard number and PIN.

There is no need! Your library card already gives you access to all of our resources.

You can only access online resources with an eCard.

To borrow physical materials, you need to visit an open branch with the required personal identification and we will upgrade your eCard so you can access all library materials.

Check your spam or junk folder in your email. This email contains your eCard number & PIN. If you know your login information, you can go ahead and use it to access our online resources. Please contact us if you need help retrieving your login information. 

Visit our webpage for a full list of online resources.  

Yes! Many of the Markham Public Library’s resources and services are available through mobile apps. Enjoy free access to eBooks, emagazines, audiobooks, music, streaming video, online research and more when you log in with your eCard! Please see here for info on the mobile apps.

eCards do not expire! 

No, your library card number stays the same.

No, you can setup a virtual card using the MPL App. Your library card number will remain the same.

Unfortunately, PO boxes are not accepted as a valid address.

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

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.

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.

Please do not try to print trademarked, patented, or copyrighted material. MPL does not 3D print weapons or parts of weapons.

Colour availability will be discussed via email or phone.

The preferred format is a .stl file. Please send us .stl files with your size, layer, and infill specifications through our online form.

We use PLA filament, which is biodegradable but not food safe due to the printer’s machinery.

Payment can be made in person at the branch at the time of pick up. 

We will contact you and confirm the pick up location as soon as your 3D object is printed.

You can create your own designs using TinkerCAD or you can download designs to print from:

• Thingiverse
• CGTrader
• Cults
• YouMagine

Yes, the day-use vehicle permit provides unlimited day-use access for one vehicle and its occupants to all provincial parks in Ontario where fees are normally charged. Park capacity limitations apply. The permit must be displayed on the rear-view mirror or dashboard of the vehicle while it is in the park.

You can renew the pass once if there are no holds on it.

You can borrow the pass for 1 week.

You can view our list of wonderful Book Club Kits here. Feel free to place holds on a Book Club Kit to pick up in person at the MPL branch of your choice!

There are 12-16 books in each Kit. If you need additional copies, check out our catalogue

Yes. The lending period will be up to 21 days and magazines will be returned automatically at the end of the lending period.

No. Magazines will not count toward checkout limits. All magazines will be available for unlimited simultaneous use.

The article view feature will be available in Libby only. Customers using the MPL OverDrive website can read magazines in the original format/layout.

You can borrow and read OverDrive magazines in the browser but cannot download them to your computer. To download magazines for offline reading, it’s best to use the Libby app on a mobile device.

A bookclub kit is a group of copies of a book that are available under one barcode to a bookclub. The kits also include a reading guide, which includes information about the author and title as well as discussion questions. This enables your bookclub to borrow a large number of copies of one title so you can all read it at the same time. 

If you’re interested in starting a book club at Markham Public Library, please reach out to your local library branch. The MPL team will help you get started. We have a lot of resources on this page that show you how to start facilitating your meetings. 

Book kits are available to borrow at branches and online. You can place holds on them and request them at the front desk of your local branch, just like any other library material. 

Please collect all the titles from each book club member and return them in the packaging you received them in. They can be returned to staff during regular business hours as the kits do not fit in the Dropbox, and cannot be left outside. 

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Yes!  You can renew your book club kit online, over the phone, or in person, just like any other library material. 

View our complete book club kit list.

We have a variety of videos and resources on how to run your own book club here on this page, but you can also take a look at the following resources: 

Canadian Book Clubs

How to Start your Own Book Club - Oprah

Reader's Circle

Tips on Starting a Book Club

BookBrowse 

Book Movement 

LitLovers 

GoodReads 

Book Club Resources

Reading Group Guides 

MPL hosts regular book club sessions at multiple branches throughout the year. For more information on participating in our library run book clubs please visit MPL Book Clubs

To offer you the widest selection of eBooks and downloadable/streaming magazines, audiobooks, movies and music, MPL purchases services from a number of suppliers on your behalf. When you are using these services, you are opening a separate app managed by our supplier. In many cases, integration between these services is not possible and a separate account is required to access each individual service. You’d need your library card number and PIN to create a free account for each app.

The Library license our digital contents from a number of companies (library vendors). The vendors require us to only allow our customers to access their services. Your MPL card number and PIN will validate that you are entitled to use these services.

All library mobile apps are compatible with iOS and Android devices.

• Apps for iOS
• Apps for Android

Some apps also work on Amazon Fire devices or Blackberry devices.

• Apps for Amazon Fire
• Apps for Blackberry

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

Visit the Hours & Locations page to see branches open and hours of service.

Our staff are working at a safe and sustainable pace. Staff are working as quickly as they can to process items but there may be processing delays. Don’t worry, you will not be charged any overdue fines.

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

All computer reservations will be for a maximum of 2 hour per day per branch. This applies to all computing types. Computers can be booked starting at opening time and ending 30 minutes before the branch is closed.

You can book a computer online using PC Reservation or you could call one of the branches at 905-513-7977. Please have your library card number handy.

Customers can book current day + 3 open days in advance.

The health and safety of our customers and staff is our top priority. We will disinfect the computers and all equipment between each customer session. 

To print or scan, you must book a computer through  PC Reservation or you could call one of the branches at 905-513-7977. Please have your library card number handy.

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

Brainfuse HelpNow offers a comprehensive suite of online academic services designed to support many learning needs and styles:

Expert Help: Experience personalized eLearning by connecting with a live tutor.

• Live Tutoring: Students submit a question in our online classroom and receive live, one-on-one assistance from a Brainfuse HelpNow tutor from 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM.
• Writing Lab: Writing tutors help students become better writers by providing constructive feedback, and assistance usually within 24 hours of receiving a student’s submission.
• SkillSurfer: Skills building service helps students master a concept or skill through state aligned online lessons with a live tutor. HelpNow Skills Building has been designed for a variety of age groups and academic needs.
• Send Question: Students submit questions via our online form and a tutor will respond usually within 24 hours to the student’s question.
• Language Lab: Students receive live online help with their French and Spanish language homework from our fluent tutors.

Study: Powerful self-assessment and online learning tools

• LEAP Learning Platform: Diagnostic test center with detailed study plans, lessons and live tutoring.
• FlashBulb: Users can access and create interactive learning games, quizzes and flashcards.
• eParachute: Users can discover your strengths and unique talents to map out your future career.

Collaborate: Form study groups, hold virtual office hours, work on class projects, and share knowledge with peers and instructors.

• Meet: Schedule a live study group session with friends and instructors. Invitees receive the invite in their email inbox and simply click on the Meet link to join the organizer. Attendees do not have to be Brainfuse HelpNow users.
• Brainwave: Record movie-like whiteboard sessions to store solutions to homework problems, class projects, or any other concepts that involve motion or sequencing.

Adult Learning Center offers help with High School equivalency preparation, preparation for the Canadian Citizenship Test, Microsoft Office help, career resources and resume & cover letter assistance..

After signing in, students click on Live Tutoring, choose a grade and subject for instruction, and enter a virtual tutoring room. This room includes the Brainfuse HelpNow whiteboard (a shared virtual blackboard) that allows students and tutors to use instant chat and draw diagrams and equations. When a student draws a figure using a mouse on the whiteboard, the tutor instantaneously sees exactly what the student has drawn. Additionally, tutors and students can also speak to one another in real-time by using the audio function. The Brainfuse HelpNow app, available on Android or iOS, allows students to take a picture of their assignment and share in sessions.

Yes, you will need a library card to log-in and use Brainfuse HelpNow. A user account is autogenerated with your library card information.

Although there are no prerequisites, you are expected to have basic understanding of computers and internet. If you’d like to master basic computer skills, please check out LearningExpress Library or Universal Class instead.

Students, from Kindergarten to Grade 12, college, and adults are all welcome to access Brainfuse HelpNow.

You need an Internet accessible computer with Widows 95 and above or Mac OS X and above to access Brainfuse HelpNow. Brainfuse HelpNow also offers an app available for Android and iOS users.

Tutors are trained and certified by Brainfuse HelpNow. All tutors have been cleared with thorough background and reference checks, must possess a four-year degree, and have prior teaching/tutoring experience.

Brainfuse HelpNow offers math, writing, English and science for students from third grade
through college.

There are a few places to get help and support on the bottom of the Brainfuse HelpNow website:

1) Browse the FAQs: https://www.brainfuse.com/jsp/company/faq.jsp

2) Watch the Demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4svT89dm9CQ

3) Request support through the Contact Us page:
https://www.brainfuse.com/company/contactus.asp

Instruments can be borrowed up to 2 weeks with no renewals. All musical instruments must be returned in-person at Markham Village Library.

Visit Markham Village Library to browse our musical lending library.

Yes, We have removed any blocks from accounts so that everyone with an MPL card can access our online resources during this closure.  

You can also pay your fines online 

You can pick up your library items in-person at any of the branches that are currently open.

After clicking on Submit a Suggestion, users will be asked to enter specific information including the Title; Author, Performer, or Director; Format; and Content type of the item they are requesting. If the library already owns the item, users will receive a notification and go directly to the item they are looking for.

Login to your Account.

Under My Borrowing (on the left side), you will see an option to Submit a Suggestion.
You can also find your suggestions in My Settings as Suggested Purchases under Account Preferences.

There is a new built-in tool in to make purchase suggestions easier and more efficient. Users can now access Submit A Suggestion from their Library Dashboard and view all of their suggestions. Users have 3 suggestions per month and will receive a response letting them know whether or not their suggestions are approved.

Yes. The library does not make claim to any ownership, rights, or intellectual property of anyone using the sound booth or other Makerspace services. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the customer, not that of the library, to adhere to federal copyright laws.

To offer the widest selection of digital services, we purchase products/services from a number of suppliers.  These include:

• Library catalogue and online library account where you can see your checkouts, manage your settings, place holds, etc.
• eBooks and streaming collections such as OverDrive, and Hoopla
• Online databases such as Consumer Reports, World Book, CPI.Q, etc.
• Online learning resources such as Universal Class, Mango Languages, Learning Express Library, etc.

Each time you use these services you are leaving the MPL's website and visiting a separate website managed by our supplier.  When you visit these sites, you may be prompted to log in to the site.  Your MPL card will validate that you are entitled to use these services.

To offer you the widest selection of eBooks and downloadable/streaming magazines, audiobooks, movies and music, MPL purchases services from a number of suppliers on your behalf.  Many of these are integrated into our website where possible. However, in some cases, integration is not possible and a separate account is required to access each individual service.

All digital titles are automatically returned on their due dates, so you never have to worry about late fees. However, you can choose to return an item early if needed.

• Most OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks can be returned early if you’d like to make space in your library account. Find step-by-step instructions on OverDrive Help: Early Return.
• You can return Hoopla eBooks/eAudiobooks from the website or Hoopla app.

MPL offers ebooks through a few different resources, and the loan periods are slightly different in each.

• In OverDrive, you can select a lending period of an eBook/eAudiobook from 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days. You can adjust your default lending period for a specific title before borrowing it..
• In Hoopla, you can keep an eBook/eAudiobook for 21 days.
• TumbleBook eBook/eAudiobook cannot be checked out. These are for streaming only.

Yes! Library staff are available to do class visits and support literacy events happening at your school (Open Houses, Welcome to Kindergarten, Curriculum Nights, etc.). Please fill in our library-visit form here: https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/arrange-a-library-visit/  

If you would like to arrange a library visit with your class, please fill in our library-visit form here: https://markhampubliclibrary.ca/arrange-a-library-visit/.

Your visit may include a tour of the library or an educational workshop. Your students can learn more about our catalogue, use one of our makerspaces, or sign up for their very own library card. We are happy to work with you to provide an excellent experience for your students that supports their learning!

Toys must be returned to the front desk at the branch from which they were borrowed.  They may not be returned through the drop box or the self check-in machine. Visit the Hours & Locations page to see our hours of service.

Sorry. There are no holds or renewals on toys.

The loan period is 2 weeks. If items are returned late the charge is $2.00 per day up to a maximum of $10.00 per item.

There is a limit of 3 items per account.

Yes. All ages can borrow toys with your Markham Public Library card.

We offer a range of toys to support kids' development. We have toys that support and promote all sorts of skills including:

• Building
• STEM
• Science & Math
• Language Development
• Reading & Literacy
• Dramatic Play
• Sensory Play
• Fine Motor Skills
• Music
• Puzzles
• Special Needs
• Movement & Balance

You can check out a full list of the current Toys collection in our catalogue.

Children learn best through play. Play is one of the key ways in which both caregivers and libraries can help support a child’s early literacy development. We provide toys in our branches for this reason, and deliberately choose toys with educational value to support early childhood development and early literacy skills. These toys are heavily used and customers often ask to borrow them - so we created the Toy Library to let parents and kids try out educational toys at home.

Lendery items can be returned at any open branch during open hours. Visit the Hours & Locations page to their hours of service.
To return items please call the branch to inform them you have arrived to return these items. Do not place items in the dropbox.

There are no holds or renewals on Lendery items. 

There is a limit of 3 items per account.

The loan period is 1 week. If items are returned late the charge is $2.00 per day up to a maximum of $10.00 per item.

Come in person to the Milliken Mills Library, provide a valid form of ID, complete the Special Collections Agreement with staff and agree to the Lendery Waiver form at the time of checkout. You'll be able to borrow items right away!

Yes. Adults 18 years and older can borrow items from The Lendery with your Markham Public Library card. The Special Collections Agreement must be completed with staff and you must agree to the Lendery Waiver form at the time of checkout. 

There is a selection of tools, sports equipment, kitchen equipment and gardening tools. Visit The Lendery page for more information. 

There are no holds or renewals on items from the Markham Cycles Bike Hub.

The loan period is 2 weeks. If items are returned late the charge is $5.00 per day up to a maximum of $25.00 per item.

Markham Cycles is a local community organization that aims to build a cycling culture in Markham. Markham Cycles lends bicycles to MPL members from their hub currently located at Milliken Mills Community Centre and Centennial Community Centre).

Yes! In partnership with Markham Cycles, MPL loans bikes to Markham Public Library members.

You can request CELA services in one of two ways:

• Call or visit an MPL branch and ask to be signed up
• Through the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) - if you express interest in library services, they can forward us your contact information. We will contact you to get you an MPL membership and sign you up for access to CELA.

Customers can choose to access different CELA resources. Depending on how customers manage their accounts they may:

• • Have physical media (DAISY CDs, Braille, etc.) mailed to their homes free of charge. Physical materials will come with a postage-paid pre-addressed envelope which they can use to return the items.
  • Access only the digital content via CELA’s website.
  • Access both physical and digital content.

Upcoming events can be found at Markham Cycle Events.

You can borrow bicycles from the Markham Cycles hub located in the parking lots of Milliken Mills Community Centre and Centennial Community Centre.

The Educator Access Program (EAP) lets teachers borrow from the CELA collection to support students with print disabilities. As a teacher, teacher-librarian, or educational assistant you can use your Markham Public Library card to register online for the Educator Access Program. 

Canadian residents who have a print disability that prevents them from reading conventional print are eligible for CELA services.  Those with temporary print disabilities such as waiting for cataract surgery are also eligible.  A print disability can be:

• a visual disability including severe or total vision loss
• a physical disability such as the inability to hold or manipulate a book 
• a learning disability such as that relating to comprehension

You need a Markham Public Library card to register.  To learn more about print disabilities visit the CELA Webpage. 

The Boomerang collection offers customers the opportunity to borrow new, bestselling and high demand items when they first become available. The collection includes:

• Bestselling fiction and non-fiction
• Popular authors
• Major Canadian titles
• New movie releases

There are no holds on Boomerang titles. Boomerang books can be borrowed for two weeks, and Boomerang movies can be borrowed for one week.  Boomerang titles cannot be renewed. We have regular copies of all or most of the Boomerang print titles and customer may place holds.

MPL offers a wide range of programs and services for all ages:

• Programs supporting life-long learning
• Online databases, eBooks, and online learning courses
• Computing, scanning and printing services to use in the library
• Study and meeting spaces
• Room rentals
• Interactive play spaces
• Teen spaces
• Makerspaces and 3D printing
• Quiet reading spaces
• And more!

With a Markham Public Library card you can access to the library's collections in branch and online. You can also borrow items from special collections like our Toy Library, Musical Instrument Lending Library, Digital Media equipment, Markham Cycle's bicycle collection and The Lendery which lends sporting equipment, tools and household appliances. 

Library staff will be happy to help you access these services.

Anyone who lives, works, goes to school or owns property in Markham may get a Markham Public Library card free of charge. Residents of York Region may also use MPL free of charge. 

Non-residents may purchase an MPL card for $60/year. Visitors to Markham also have the option of a temporary card with limited access.

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. 

Your default password or PIN is 1234.  Once you have created your online account you can change your password by clicking on "my settings" and then clicking on change password.  You can create your online account by clicking login at the top of the page.  We highly recommend changing your password from the default password in order to make your account more secure. 

MPL offers many programs for children of all ages designed to develop skills and confidence in a variety of subjects. For a full list of our program, explore our events page.

There are several depending on your needs. For more information, please visit our Digital Collections page.

Visit your closest Makerspace branch for a health and safety orientation and certification. MPL also offers introductory sessions for the 3D printer and laser engraver.

From your device choose the Public network.  No password is required. Accept the terms and conditions to connect.

The Lendery was initiated in partnership with York Region and York Region Makers, and is now owned and operated by the library. The Lendery is a collection of equipment and tools that customers may borrow at the Milliken Mills Library.  The Lendery helps customers to save space, save money, learn about a tool or item before buying it, repair and reuse, and divert waste from the landfill.

Unfortunately due to technical considerations, you will not be able to use other library cards at MPL. However, if you are currently a member of a library within York Region, you will be able to get a free Markham Public Library card with appropriate proof of ID and residence.

Yes. MPL provides visitors with a temporary card that allows them to checkout up to three items and will expire after three weeks. Customers will need to provide a valid ID with proof of address in order to obtain temporary membership.

Yes you can. Once you are in the library branch you can use USBs on the public access computers the same way you would use a USB on a personal computer.

Yes, you can print files from your USB. Once at the library you can log onto our public access computers, open your file, and sent the print job to our printers. See Payment & Cost  on our Printing page for more information. 

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.

With your library card, eMagazines, as well as digital newspapers are available to browse through a number of apps provided by MPL. Each app offers different, unique titles and provide access to full colour copies of your favourite magazines as well as back issues. Most apps offer limitless, simultaneous access to magazines from around the world, and may be borrowed to enjoy on your computer, compatible eReader, or mobile device.

Unfortunately, we do not have a service like this. However, the New Titles feature in the catalogue can provide you with a list of items recently added to the collection. You can also filter any search by format (book, eBook, DVD, etc.), Content (fiction or non-fiction), Audience (Juvenile, Adult, etc.) or Language in order to narrow the list down to items you are interested in.  Also on the New Titles page, there are lists available by subject and for the more frequently requested collections.

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.

Library Cards can be used across our system for both physical and electric materials. Visit the Hours & Locations page to see which branches are currently open and their hours of service.

For more details please visit our Service Fees page.

You can access your account online by visiting https://markham.bibliocommons.com/ In the upper right hand corner select, Log in/My MPL. You will need your username and password to log in.

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 

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. 

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 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.

Report your lost or stolen card immediately. You can call the library at 905-513-7977. A replacement card will be issued at a cost of $2.00.

You need to provide proof of residency in York Region, so a driver’s license or Ontario photo ID card with your current address would be ideal. 

If you don’t have either of these, two pieces of ID are needed.  One for Name Identification and one for Address Identification. 

Name Identification
• Birth certificate
• Citizenship card
• Current bill or invoice
• Current lease
• Current legal document
• Employee ID or benefit card
• Hospital card
• Landed immigration certificate
• Major credit card
• Passport
• Student card
• School report card

Address Identification (within 6 months)
• Utility bill or invoice
• Bank statement
• Government cheque
• Lease
• Legal document
• School report card with address
• Personal letters or addresses on magazines are not considered as valid IDs.