At Your Library
Borrowing Basics

Borrowing from the Library

Your membership card unlocks access to books, technology, kits, and more. Here's everything you need to know about borrowing, renewing and returning items with your RHPL membership. 

Not a member? It's free to join RHPL if you live, work or go to school in York Region. Learn how you can get your membership.

We're a fine free library.

Did you know? RHPL is a fine-free library, which means that we don't collect fines for overdue items.

We strive to be a welcoming place for all to connect, learn, grow and thrive. Fines can create a significant financial barrier to accessing many of the services we offer.

To support the circulation of our collections, other fees, like replacement costs and fees for damaged items, may still be charged to customers who haven't returned items for over four weeks. Replacement costs will be waived if items are returned in good condition. 

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Borrowing Periods, Renewals, and Holds

Placing Holds

In order to place a hold, you simply need to ensure your membership is in good standing and visit a location, call 905-884-9288, or log in to ‘My Library’. You will be notified when your item is available for pick up. Please bring the library card that the hold was placed against when checking out the item. Items with holds cannot be renewed

How long can I keep my borrowed items? 

There's so much to explore with your RHPL membership. Our lendable items have different borrowing periods that are based on the needs of our community. 

Books and Other Print Material

  • Books: three-week loan; holdable; renew up to 10 times. 

  • Express Books: one-week loan; no holds or renewals.

  • Magazines: three-week loan; no holds; renew up to 2 times. 

  • Book Club Kits: eight-week loan; holdable by contacting our team; no renewals.

  • Visiting Library Service: eight-week loan; items can be renewed up to 2 times.

Games, DVDs, CDs, Playaways, and AudioBooks 

  • Playaways: three-week loan; holdable; renew up to 10 times.

  • Audiobooks: three-week loan; holdable; renew up to 10 times.

  • CDs: three-week loan; holdable; renew up to 2 times. 

  • DVDs (TV and movies): one-week loan; holdable; renew up to 2 times. 

  • Non-fiction DVDs: three-week loan; holdable; renew up to 10 times.

  • Children DVDs: one-week loan; holdable; renew up to 2 times.

  • Video Games: two-week loan; holdable; renew up to 2 times.

Technology

  • Hotspots: three-week loan; holdable; renew 1 time.

  • iPads: three-hour loan; in-branch use only; no holds

  • Chromebooks: three-hour loan; in-branch use only; no holds

Library of Things

  • Backpack Kits: two-week loan, holdable, renew 1 time

  • Experience Passes: one-week loan; holdable; no renewals. Each Experience Pass may be borrowed once every three months. 

  • Express Experience Passes: one-week loan; no holds or renewals. Each Express Experience Pass may be borrowed once every three months. 

  • Gardening Items: two-week loan; holdable; and renew 1 time.

  • Hobbies and Crafting Items: two-week loan; holdable; and renew 1 time.

  • Hotspots: three-week loan; holdable; and renew 1 time.

  • Kitchen Items: two-week loan; holdable; and renew 1 time.

  • Learning Kits: three-week loan; holdable; renew up to 10 times.

  • Outdoor Items: two-week loan; holdable; and renew 1 time.

  • Sports and Recreation Items: two-week loan; holdable; and renew 1 time.

  • STEAM Kits: three-week loan; holdable; renew up to 10 times.

  • Technology Items: two-week loan; holdable; renew 1 time (except for hotspots, which have a three-week loan period).

  • Tools and Small Appliance Items: two-week loan; holdable; renew 1 time.

  • Video Game Consoles: two-week loan; no holds; renew 1 time.

  • Yoto Players: two-week loan; holdable; renew 1 time.

Renewing Items

Renewing an item is easy and can be done online, in person, or over the phone. If an item has holds on it, if you have a large amount of fines on your account, or if your membership is expired or close to expiring, you may not be able to renew items that you've checked out. 

  • Online: Access My Account to renew your items online, or download the MyRHPL app. 

  • Over the phone: Connect with a team member by calling 905-884-9288 during Central Branch opening hours.

  • In person: Visit your nearest RHPL branch during opening hours. 

How to Return Items

Physical materials like books and DVDs can be returned to any Richmond Hill Public Library branch. Some lendable items like STEAM kits and wireless hotspots must be returned at a service desk during branch hours, while others can be returned through drop boxes, which are available 24/7 outside of all RHPL locations. If they aren't renewed, digital items like eBooks and Audiobooks are returned automatically. 

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