Borrowing

You can reserve an item by placing it on hold. Sign in to your account, and look up the item in the library catalogue. Click the “Place Hold” button and choose a pickup location. We will contact you when the item is ready for pickup.

If the item you want is currently checked out to someone else, placing it on hold will add your name to the waiting list for the item.

If the item you want is available on the shelves, but you are unable to get to the library right away to pick it up, placing it on hold will ensure that it is set aside for you when you are ready to pick it up.

Reserved items will be held for seven days.

Certain items cannot be placed on hold and are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. See the chart above for details.

Are you going on vacation but don’t want to lose your spot on the waiting list? You can freeze your holds to ensure that you will maintain your place in line for the item you want.

Freezing your hold will allow others to bypass you on the waiting list for as long as your hold is frozen. Once you unfreeze the hold, you will be back to your original spot on the waiting list.

Sign in to your library account and view your holds. For each item you would like to freeze, select the arrow next to the Cancel Hold button, then select Freeze.

To unfreeze, simply select the arrow next to the Cancel Hold button, and select Unfreeze.

Would you like to keep an item you borrowed for a while longer? Most items can be renewed twice, so long as the items have not been placed on hold for somebody else. You can renew an item in-person, by calling the library or through your account online.

Certain types of items cannot be renewed. See the chart above for details.

Borrowed items can be returned to any Kitchener Public Library location. You can either bring your items to the information desk or return them at the 24-hour return slot outside the library.

Larger items such as instruments, book club sets, and sports and outdoor equipment must be returned in-person during library hours of operation.

Replacement fees will be issued for items that are returned in damaged condition. Items that are long overdue will be assumed lost and a replacement bill will be issued.

Replacement fees for lost or damaged items may be paid in-person at any Kitchener Public Library location using cash, debit or credit.

You can also pay your fees online, using a credit card. To use the online payment option, you must owe fees of at least $3.

How to pay online:

Sign in to your account. If you have unpaid fines of $3 or greater, click on the amount owing. A list of fines will appear. Click "pay online" and select which fines you want to pay. Follow the prompts and provide the necessary information for payment. Press "submit" to process your payment.

Detailed terms & conditions for online payment of fines and fees.