Borrowing, Renewing & Limits

 

Borrowing

The library’s collection belongs to everyone. We hope you’ll follow your curiosity and see what you can discover through books, magazines, newspapers, films, CDs and more.

 

You are responsible for all material checked out on your card. This includes use and return of all materials borrowed and for charges on items that are lost or damaged. Please report a lost or stolen library card immediately. Parents/guardians are responsible for their child's card.

 

We thank you for returning borrowed items promptly, so that others can enjoy them. Most items can be returned to any branch, and return drops are available 24/7. Please note the book return at the Nellie McClung Branch, 3950 Cedar Hill Road, is permanently closed due to building renovations.

 

There are many ways to manage items on your account and avoid missing holds pick up and due dates:

 

  • Print or email a due date receipt at check out
  • Use My Account anytime to see due dates, renewals, and hold pick up dates
  • Talk to staff for information about items on your account
  • Review email, text or phone notifications from GVPL which include information about due dates, renewals and hold pick up dates

 

Further down this page, you can view the complete list of items available for loan and their borrowing periods and restrictions. With a full access GVPL library card, you can borrow up to sixty items at once.


Returns, Renewals and My Account

 

GVPL’s physical collections can be returned to any GVPL branch. Items that are eligible will be automatically renewed up to two times. You are responsible for returning material checked out on your card and your child’s card.

 

Please note:

  • If an item is overdue by 21 days, it is considered lost. A replacement fee will be added to your account.
  • You are responsible for any charges on items that are lost or damaged.
  • An account with 10 items overdue will be blocked and no additional items can be borrowed until items are returned.
  • An account with over $40 in library fees will be blocked and no additional items can be borrowed until fees are paid down.
  • The library does not accept donations of materials in place of a replacement fee.

Payment

Payment can be made online or at any branch:

  • Pay fees online by logging in to My Account and clicking the Fee tab. You have the option to use credit or Visa Debit.
  • Pay fees in branch by visiting any branch at a service desk. You have the option to use cash, debit, credit cards, or cheques.

 

Renewing your library account

 

Full access library accounts expire every 3 years. If your account has a current email address and is setup to receive email notifications, you will receive a "time to renew your library account" email 1 month before it expires. 

Please review What To Bring When You Sign Up or Renew Your Library Card and bring ID with you.

 

Notifications about your account

Important account information is sent by email, phone or text for the following:

 

  • Returns and Renewals: Receive an email 2 days prior to the due date outlining items due back and items automatically renewed (available by email only)
  • Overdue Item: Receive an email or phone call 2 days, 7 days and 14 days after the due date
  • Holds Ready for Pick Up: Receive an email or phone call when an item you placed on hold, from the physical collection, is ready for pick up at a branch. You will have 5 days to pick up your hold. 

 

To opt in or out of notifications, or change your delivery method please visit any branch or contact us.

 

To receive notifications by text, log in to your library account and select the Personal Information tab, then select SMS Notifications. Click the blue button to add a new phone number.

Technical Considerations

  • Not receiving a courtesy notice does not exempt responsibility from returning items or a replacement fee from being applied to your account.
  • Our email notifications are sent from either [email protected] or [email protected]. Please add us to your safe list.

 

Renewing Items from the Collections

Online

Items that are eligible will be automatically renewed up to two times. Eligible items are automatically renewed 2 days before the due date. 

You can renew items earlier by logging into My Account.  From the Account Summary display: 

  1. Select Checkouts and then Library Checkouts.
  2. Select the items you want to renew.
  3. Confirm the action.

 

By Phone

Call GVPL at 250-940-4875 and press 2 to renew your borrowed items using the automated feature. Or talk to staff on the Customer Service Line Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Please have your library card number on hand. 

 

Loan Periods, Borrowing Limits, and Renewal

Adult Materials

 

Children & Teen Materials

 

* Our Fastreads and Fastviews items cannot be placed on hold.
† Kits include: Puppets to Go, Skill Builders Adaptive Toys, Stories to Go and StoryWalk.
‡ Sets include: Books to Go, Readers to Go and Family Picks to Go.