As of June 14, 2021, there will be contactless services inside most branches, with capacity limits in place. This means:
For more details, go to Current Branch Services.
As of Monday, June 14, contactless holds pickup inside branches and 24/7 returns via book drops will be offered at most of OPL’s 31 open branches, except Metcalfe Village, Orléans and Rosemount.
Closed branches: Fitzroy Harbour and Vernon remain closed. OPL is working to reopen these locations as soon as possible. Kiosk Services at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre remain closed until further notice.
As of Monday, June 14, most of our 31 open branches are offering contactless services inside branches, except:
While wearing a mask, you can enter branches to pick up your holds directly from the shelves and use the self-checkout stations. Capacity inside open branches will be limited, as per provincial regulations. You may have to wait outside if the capacity limit is reached; and masks must be worn inside and while waiting in line outside the branch. 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.
Around-the-clock book drops are back! Starting June 14, you can return Library items anytime via book drops at all open branches.
Public computers can be reserved online, by calling InfoService at 613-580-2940, or by request at your branch. To book a computer online, go to the Make a Booking tab and choose Book a Computer. You can book a computer 3 days in advance and bookings are limited to one hour a day. Chromebook lending by request will continue for three-hour loans, but they are no longer reservable online. Please request one from a Library employee. Outdoor WiFi is available at many branches.
Access to printers, and photocopiers is allowed by request, where these are available. The online printing request form (and first 10 pages free) will continue.
Public computers can be reserved online. Reservations can be made up to three days in advance using the online booking system or by calling InfoService at 613-580-2940.
Chromebook lending will continue, by request, for loans of up to three hours. Chromebooks are no longer reservable online. Please request through a Library employee or contact Infoservice. Outdoor WiFi is available at many branches.
Customers can submit a print request using the form on the OPL website. Printing is free for the first 10 pages. Then, a fee of 10 cents per page will be added to the customer’s account.
For health and safety reasons, newspapers are not currently available in branches. You can access online newspapers here.
Starting Monday, June 14, public computers can be used at the following branches (except Metcalfe Village, Orléans and Rosemount):
Public computers must be reserved. Reservations can be made up to three days in advance using the online booking system or by calling InfoService at 613-580-2940.
Chromebook lending will continue, by request, for loans of up to three hours. Chromebooks are no longer reservable online. Please request one from a Library employee or contact Infoservice. Outdoor WiFi is available.
You can submit a print request using the form on the OPL website. Printing is free for the first 10 pages. Then, a fee of 10 cents per page will be added to the customer’s account.
Public computers must be reserved. Reservations can be made up to three days in advance using the online booking system or by calling InfoService at 613-580-2940.
Chromebook lending will continue, by request, for loans of up to three hours. Chromebooks are no longer reservable online. Please request one from a Library employee or contact Infoservice. Outdoor WiFi is available.
Free WiFi is available outside 22 open branches: Alta Vista, Beaverbrook, Carlingwood, Carp, Centennial, Cumberland, Emerald Plaza, Elmvale Acres, Greenboro, Hazeldean, Main, Manotick, Nepean Centrepoint, North Gloucester, Orléans, Rideau, Rosemount, St. Laurent, Stittsville, Sunnyside, Vanier, and Ruth E. Dickinson.
Instructions for use are posted on the doors. There is a limit of 10 people who can connect at a time.
Additional WiFi hotspots will be based on community need, as supply increases.
OPL will not provide shelter or seating. Customers are responsible for physical distancing and wearing a mask outside near branches, as per the Temporary Mandatory Mask By-law and provincial regulation.
Starting Monday, June 14, returned items will no longer be quarantined for 72 hours. This means you can return your borrowed items anytime via book drops at any open branch. The Bookmobile is also accepting returns.
OPL eliminated late fees on January 1, 2021. For more information, please visit our loan period and fees page.
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.
Cardholders will be able to return Library items and pick up holds without an appointment by lining up at the branch entrance while wearing their masks. Please make sure to bring your library card or card number in order to check out your holds.
Masks are required to be worn 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.
The health and safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority.