Current Branch Services

The following branches are offering additional in-person services starting Monday, February 22:

Alta Vista, Beaverbrook, Blackburn Hamlet, Carlingwood, Carp, Centennial, Cumberland, Elmvale Acres, Emerald Plaza, Greely, Greenboro, Hazeldean, Main, Manotick, Nepean Centrepointe, North Gloucester, North Gower, Richmond, Rideau, Rockcliffe Park, Ruth E. Dickinson, Sunnyside, Stittsville, St. Laurent, and Vanier.

You can return items and pick up holds at these branches. Items must be returned during opening hours. No appointment is needed to return items or pick up holds.

You can also browse and borrow from the collection, use a computer, and get a Library card. Appointments are strongly encouraged for computer use.

You can book a computer under the “Make a Booking” tab and choosing “Book a Computer.” 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.

For health and safety reasons, newspapers are not currently available in branches. You can access online newspapers here.

If you require any accommodations, please speak to an employee for assistance when you arrive at the branch.

You can use a public computer at branches offering additional in-person services: Alta Vista, Beaverbrook, Blackburn Hamlet, Carlingwood, Carp, Centennial, Cumberland, Elmvale Acres, Emerald Plaza, Greely, Greenboro, Hazeldean, Main, Manotick, Nepean Centrepointe, North Gloucester, North Gower, Richmond, Rideau, Rockcliffe Park, Ruth E. Dickinson, Sunnyside, Stittsville, St. Laurent, and Vanier.

Appointments are strongly encouraged for public computer use.

You can book a computer under the “Make a Booking” tab and choosing “Book a Computer.” 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.

WiFi is now available for outdoor use at the following 8 locations: Alta Vista, Carlingwood, Centennial, Greenboro, North Gloucester, Rideau, St Laurent, and Vanier. Instructions for use are posted on the doors. There is a limit of 10 people who can connect at a time.

Metcalfe Village, Orléans, and Rosemount (first floor only) are offering returns and holds pickup service. These branches are offering contactless service, where you will go into the branch and check out your holds at the checkout machine.

Appointments are not required to return items or pick up holds at branches offering returns and holds pickup service. Holds can be picked up and items can be returned any time during opening hours.

The Bookmobile is also offering returns and holds pickup service. Appointments are not required to return items or pick up holds at the Bookmobile.

Kiosk Services at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre remain closed at this time. The holds lockers and returns service at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre are not currently available.

You can return Library material to branches offering returns and holds pickup service any time during opening hours, with no appointment.

Appointments are not required to pick up holds at branches offering returns and holds pickup service. You can pick up your holds at these branches during their hours of operation. When you arrive at the branch, you will come inside, pick up your holds on the shelf, and check them out yourself at the checkout machine. Please note that you may have to wait outside before being let inside to pick up your holds, to adhere to capacity limits.

Signage at the branches will show you where to go to return items and pick up your holds, and employees will be there, at a safe distance, to provide additional instructions. 

You can return Library material or pick up holds at the Bookmobile with no appointment.

Kiosk Services at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre remain closed at this time. The holds lockers and returns service at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre are not currently available

If you require any accommodations, please speak to an employee for assistance when you arrive at the branch.

You can return your borrowed items at any open branch during opening hours. The Bookmobile is also accepting returns.

You do not need an appointment to return items. You can return your items at any open branch during their hours of operation. Signage at the branches will show you where to go to return your Library items, and employees will be there, at a safe distance, to provide additional instructions.

OPL eliminated late fees on January 1, 2021. For more information, please visit our loan period and fees page.

Returned items will be quarantined for 72 hours and then processed. Because of this, items may remain on your card for at least a week after you return them. You will not be charged late fees during this period. If you still see your returned items listed as checked out in your account after a week, contact InfoService at 613-580-2940 or InfoService@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.

The Library is not accepting book or material donations at this time.

You do not need an appointment to pick up your holds at any open branch. You can pick up your holds during hours of operation.

Signage at the branches will show you where to go to pick up your holds, and employees will be there, at a safe distance, to provide additional instructions. 

Holds will be kept for 7 days.  Holds at the Metcalfe Village branch will be kept on the shelves for 28 days. You need to pick up your holds before the Pick up by date on your holds notification email.

A $1 fee will be charged for items on hold that are not picked up before their expiry date. You can manage, pause, or cancel holds in your online account.

Yes! Please make sure to bring the library cards or card numbers for any accounts you are picking up holds for. 

When you get to your branch, signage will clearly indicate where you need to go to get your holds on the shelf and check them out yourself at the checkout machines. Employees will be there to provide additional direction. Please make sure to bring your library card or card number in order to check out your holds. 

Masks are required to be worn inside and in line outside of Ottawa Public Library branches, as per the Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law and provincial regulation.

The loan period for regular Library items is 21 days. Late fees were eliminated on January 1, 2021.

Loan periods for EXPRESS items are 3 days or 7 days, depending on the item.

Customers can reserve items, with a temporary limit of 100 total holds (physical items) per customer.