Pick Up and Return Your Library Materials
Updated: September 13, 2021
You can continue to place holds online through our website and pick up your holds at most of our library branches. Most branches have drop boxes that are open 24/7 to accept the return of your library materials. Library branches that are open have regular operational hours but there is no Sunday service. Learn more about COVID-19 impacts on Toronto Public Library.
- How does pick-up of holds work?
- Can I pick up holds for my family or friends? Can someone else pick up my hold(s) for me?
- How long can I borrow materials for? Will I be charged late fees?
- Can I bring my own bag to pick up my holds?
- Why aren't all branches open for pick-up service? What are the alternate pick-up locations?
Returning Your Library Materials
- Where can I return my library materials?
- What can I return?
- Will I be charged late fees if I return my items late?
- Can I drop off book donations?
Ensuring the Safety of Customers and Staff
Pick Up Library Materials
1. How does pick-up of holds work?
Place holds on materials online and over the phone and pick them up at open library branches. Appointments are not required. Library branches that are open have regular operational hours but there is no Sunday service. You have 7 days to pick up your hold(s) once they are available.
2. Can I pick up holds for my family or friends? Can someone else pick up my hold(s) for me?
Yes. If you are picking up holds on behalf of other people, you will need to bring their library card(s).
3. How long can I borrow materials for? Will I be charged late fees?
The loan periods for library items remain the same. We're encouraging everybody to return items promptly to reduce the wait time for others. However, at this time, if you are unable to return your items to our drop boxes by the due date, you will not be charged fines.
4. Can I bring my own bag to pick up my holds?
Yes, please bring and use your own bag(s).
5. Why aren't all branches open for pick-up service? What are the alternate pick-up locations?
We’re working within the COVID-19 response framework provided by the Province of Ontario and under the guidance of public health experts. When deciding when to reopen a branch, we consider a number of safety factors, including branch space, capacity limitations and staffing requirements. Our priority is to open our larger, busier branches and to make sure that we have libraries open in different parts of the city.
Alternate Pick-up Locations
City Hall | Alternate location: Lillian H. Smith
Mount Pleasant | Alternate location: Leaside
St. James Town | Alternate location: Parliament Street
Sunnybrook | Holds will remain at Sunnybrook and won’t be available for pick-up until the branch re-opens.
Swansea Memorial | Alternate location: Runnymede
Wychwood | Alternate location: Deer Park
Returning Your Library Materials
1. Where can I return my library materials?
You can return your library materials at most branch drop boxes or inside the branch at the customer service desk. We encourage you to make use of our external and internal drop boxes to allow our staff to focus on providing contactless holds pick-up service. To find out if your branch’s drop box is open, visit our branches page.
2. What can I return?
You can return library books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, musical instruments and Arduino kits. Please practice physical distancing (keep 2 metres apart) if there is a lineup when you arrive.
Drop boxes are open 24/7 and are cleared by staff regularly. However, with so many items being returned, a drop box may be full when you come to return your item(s). Please do not attempt to put items into the drop box slot if the drop box is full, and do not leave items outside on the sidewalk. You can continue to hold on to your borrowed items until branches fully reopen. You will not be charged fines during this period.
3. Will I be charged late fees if I return my items late?
We're encouraging everybody to return items promptly to reduce the wait time for others. However, at this time, if you are unable to return your items to our drop boxes by the due ate, you will not be charged fines. No fines will be charged until library branches fully open.
4. Can I drop off book donations?
At this time, we are not accepting book donations or any other items. Please only return borrowed TPL items.
Please check our website for updates about the Book Ends Used Bookstores and details about when we will resume accepting donations. Learn more about other ways to donate to the library through the Toronto Public Library Foundation.
Ensuring the Safety of Customers and Staff
Find out everything we’re doing to ensure the health and safety of our customers and our staff.
What if I have questions that are not answered here?
Please contact us using our online form.
Page update details: September 13, 2021 to update the list of Alternate Pick-up Locations.