Services

Things may look a little different within each library location as we follow Public Health guidelines.

What we are doing to keep you safe:

• Maintaining 2 metres of distance between each other.
• Providing sanitizer at library entrances.
• Following cleaning and disinfecting protocols outlined by Public Health.
• Occupancy will be limited to maintain social distancing.

What we are asking you to do:

• Do not enter the library if you currently have or recently had a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or are feeling unwell.
• Keep your hands clean. Hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the library and should be used upon entry to the library.
• Maintain at least 2 metres of distance from others.
• Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth while inside the library.
• Follow all directional signs and floor markings.
• Limit your time in the library and minimize touching of materials and surfaces.
• Not eating or drinking in any library locations.

All of our online services are still available and can be accessed from anywhere using your library card. Our digital resources are located by clicking on the links to eLibrary, eResources, or eLearning on our website. Enjoy 24/7 access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, movies, music, and courses. 

We are also offering virtual programs. Check out our events calendar and virtual programming page for a growing list of what we have on offer.

The interlibrary loan service is available for books, audiobooks and microfilm (only from the Archives of Ontario).

Library staff are available to provide help and assistance over our online chat service from Monday to Thursday 9 am to 8 pm, Friday & Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm.

1. Place holds on library materials through the library's catalogue or phone library staff at 519-824-6220 for help choosing materials. Walk ups to the branch will also be accepted. Please limit your holds to one library card per family to ensure the health and safety of library staff and customers.
2. You will be notified when your items are ready either through email, text or a phone call depending on your library account setup. No appointment is required to pick up your holds.
3. Drop by any library location during curbside pickup hours. Wait in the designated spots by the library entrance. Please have your library card ready to be shown. A due date receipt will be included with your items. All materials are checked out for their regular loan periods.

During the provincewide shutdown library computers are not available for use. 

During the provincewide shutdown, only the Main Library is able to provide wireless printing services. 

1. Submit your prints before you visit the Main Library.
2. Double-check that your print was sent to the correct email address. 
3. Visit the Main Library to pick up your prints.
4. Provide library staff with the email address you used to submit your prints. Staff will release your prints on your behalf.
5. Pay for your prints using debit/credit or cash. 

We are asking you to only return materials in library book drops. We will not be accepting returns at our service desks because we need to quarantine materials before handling them.

Book drops at all locations (with the exception of the West End Branch and Bookmobile community stops) will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience. West End Branch's book drop will be open outside of library operating hours, when the West End Community Centre is open.

As returned items are quarantined for at least 72 hours, they will remain checked out on your account during that time. Please wait 5 days before contacting the Library with any concerns related to these returned items.

All material received at the Library is quarantined for at least 72 hours before it is handled again. This process exceeds recommended standards for handling books, paper and plastic.

Items returned late are subject to overdue fines. Outstanding fines will not prevent you from accessing our Online Resources while the physical library locations are closed. 

Items signed out are loaned for their usual loan periods. Please return your borrowed items using book drops at all library locations. Please note that during the province shutdown the West End Library can only accept the return of library materials during its hours of operation.