Borrowing Guide

To become an Oshawa Public Libraries' member, all you need is a library card. If you don’t have one yet, get one for free! 

  • You'll need to present your library card to borrow items and use public computers and devices. If you've forgotten your library card, you can use an appropriate piece of identification to borrow items. 
  • Borrow items from any of our branches and return them to any of our branches. 
  • Borrow items at our Library Lending Kiosk at the Civic Community Centre (99 Thornton Road S.).
  • Use our self-check machines for contact-free borrowing. 
  • Search our collection online and place items on hold to pick up in person. 
  • Access OPL's Online Library. Learn a new language; update your career skills; download ebooks, audiobooks, magazines; or stream TV shows and movies.

How many items can I borrow from the Library?

Most customers can borrow up to 50 (fifty) physical items at a time. You can also:

    • download ebooks and audiobooks
    • stream movies and TV shows
    • access our Online Library from home
    • use Library computers

How long can you keep items? 

Loan periods vary depending on the type of item you're borrowing; for more information, see the Loan Periods chart below. When you borrow an item in person, we'll offer you a printed receipt with a due date. Due date receipts can be sent via email or SMS text (speak to a staff member if you'd like to adjust your notification method). 

You'll need to return all items borrowed on your library card on time. Items kept longer than 30 days without being renewed will be considered lost and automatically charged to the customer's account. 

Renewals 

If you want to keep an item after its due date, you may have the option to renew (extend the number of days that you can borrow the item). 

  • Most items can be renewed up to 5 times. 
  • You cannot renew items that have been requested by another Library customer. 
  • Items that are eligible to be renewed can be renewed up to and including the return date of the item. Overdue items can also be renewed if they are eligible. 
  • If you have more than 10 items overdue on your card, you will need to contact the Library at (905) 579-6111, ext. 5258, to renew if they are eligible. 

To check due dates or renew items, you can: 

Loan Periods
21 days Books and Audiobooks 5 renewals
eBooks and eAudiobooks (cloudLibrary: limit of 20; hoopla: 10 checkouts/month) 1 renewal
7 days Wi-Fi Hotspots no renewals
Print Magazines 5 renewals
Museum Passes—limit of 2 1 renewal
Ontario Park and Oshawa Recreation Passes—limit of 1 no renewals
DVDs and Blu-Rays 5 renewals
Video Games—limit of 4 (2 children's/teen; 2 adult) 5 renewals
Fast Reads no renewals
42 days Book Club Sets—limit of 2 no renewals

Kids and Teen items are Fine Free!

Recognizing how important it is for kids to have access to their public library, OPL has eliminated late fees on kids and teen library items such as books, DVDs, and games.

Please note that charges for lost or damaged items remain the responsibility of all cardholders.

Overdue Fines
Adult Collection Per day
Books and audiobooks, non-fiction DVDs, magazines $0.25
Fast Reads, feature film DVDs, video games, Blu-rays, museum and recreation passes, Wi-fi hotspots $1.00
Print this page