Updates on Ottawa Public Library Services

 Since OPL’s initial closure in March 2020, we have been working to adapt to the current situation and to safely resume physical services. We have made many adjustments over the past months, and we would like to share some updates on our current services.

As of Tuesday, September 8, customers can borrow from the EXPRESS collection again. Loan periods for EXPRESS items are the same as before OPL’s closure (3 days or 7 days, depending on the item).

As of Thursday, October 1, we will be returning to some of our regular procedures:

• Holds will be kept on the shelves for 7 days, instead of the current 14 days.
• The holds limit will increase to 100 physical items for each customer.
• The loan period for items from the regular collection will return to 21 days.
• The $1 restocking fee will once again apply for items on hold that are not picked up before their expiry date.

You can manage, pause, and cancel holds in your OPL account or by calling InfoService at 613-580-2940.

There were many Library items checked out to customers at the time of OPL’s March closure. As branches have gradually reopened, due dates for these items have been extended and are now staggered throughout the month of September. As due dates will not be extended again, we ask that you return all items coming due to one of the 22 open branches during operational hours or to the Bookmobile, on its modified schedule. If your home branch is not yet open, we encourage you to return your items to the branch or Bookmobile stop that is most convenient for you. You can find a map of all OPL branches on our Hours and Locations page.

Late fees for items were suspended in March and will continue to be suspended until the end of 2020. We encourage you to return your items on time so that other customers can borrow them.

PUBLIC COMPUTERS

A reminder that you can now use public computers in branches offering additional in-person services, by appointment. You can book a computer online here. You can also book a computer with branch staff or by calling InfoService at 613-580-2940.

You can book a computer 3 days in advance of the booking. Bookings are limited to one hour a day and three bookings a week for each customer.

Visit our current branch services webpage for additional details.

Enjoy our virtual programs and digital collections from anywhere, anytime.