Current Branch Services

The following branches are currently offering additional in-person services:

Alta Vista, Beaverbrook, Blackburn Hamlet, Carlingwood, Carp, Centennial, Cumberland, Elmvale Acres, Emerald Plaza, Greely, Greenboro, Main, Nepean Centrepointe, North Gloucester, North Gower, Richmond, Ruth E. Dickinson, 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 need 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, Main, Nepean Centrepointe, North Gloucester, North Gower, Richmond, Ruth E. Dickinson, 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.

Rosemount (temporary location) and Metcalfe Village are offering returns and holds pickup service. Both 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, with a modified schedule. Appointments are not required to return items or pick up holds at the Bookmobile.

Starting Monday, November 2, you can return items and pick up holds from the hold lockers at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre during opening hours.

The following branches will begin offering contactless returns and holds pickup on these dates:

• Sunnyside branch - Monday, November 16
• Hazeldean branch - Tuesday, December 1
• Manotick branch - Tuesday, December 1
• Rosemount (revitalized branch)*** - Thursday, December 3 (first floor only)
• Rideau branch - Monday, January 11, 2021
• Rockcliffe Park branch - Monday, January 18, 2021
• Orléans branch - in January 2021

***The Rosemount Temporary Location will close on Saturday, November 21.

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. Bookmobile holds that are designated for a closed stop will be available for pick up at any of the open stops on the modified schedule.

The holds lockers at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre will be reopening with modified hours on Monday, November 2. Returns and holds pickup service will be offered. No appointment is required to return materials or pick up holds. At this time, the Library material dispensers are not available. For more details, please visit the Kiosk services webpage

Monday, November 9 will be the last day the Bookmobile will be serving the temporary stop at Hunt Club on Mondays from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Bookmobile will continue its regular Hunt Club stop on Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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, on a modified schedule. Starting Monday, November 2, you can return items during opening hours of kiosk services at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre.

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.

Due dates for items checked out before the OPL closure in March have been extended to September to give you time to return your items. Late fees for items were suspended in March and will continue to be suspended until the end of 2020.

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.

As of Thursday, October 1, the $1 fee will once again apply 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 Ottawa Public Library branches, as per the Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law.

The loan period for Library items has been extended to four (4) weeks. As of Thursday, October 1, the loan period for items will return to 21 days. Late fees have been suspended.

EXPRESS items are once again available to borrow in branches. Loan periods for EXPRESS items are the same as before OPL’s closure (3 days or 7 days, depending on the item).

Customers can once again reserve items, with a temporary limit of 50 total holds (physical items) per customer. As of Thursday, October 1, the limit will increase to 100 holds (physical items) per customer.