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Limits, Holds and Charges

Loan periods, limits and renewals

Loan period is the length of time that you can borrow library materials. Loan periods depend on the item type borrowed.

Limits are the number of specific item types you can check out at one time. Materials with an asterisk (*) have no item type limits, but the maximum card limits apply.

Maximum limits per card (these limits apply to all item types)

  • You may have a maximum of 50 library items on loan at one time.
  • If you have had your card for less than 91 days, you may only borrow 10 items at one time.

Renewals extend the loan periods of library materials. See the table below for which items you can renew and how many times you can renew them.

  • You cannot renew items that are on hold for other patrons.
  • When you renew an item the extended time is calculated from the day of the renewal, not from the original due date.
  • You cannot renew items if you have lost your borrowing privileges.
Item Type Loan Period Limit Renewals
Books 21 days * 3
Books - Fast Read 7 days 2 No renewals
Book Club Sets 42 days 2 No renewals
CDs - Music & Audiobooks 21 days * 3
DVD & Blu-ray feature films (not including Children's feature films) 7 days * 3
DVD & Blu-ray TV series & others (including all Children’s DVDs & Blu-rays) 21 days * 3
DVDs - Quick View 3 days 2 No renewals
eBooks & downloadable Audiobooks Varies by collection    
Language Learning Sets (including DVDs) 21 days 5 3
Magazines 21 days 25 No renewals
Musical Instruments 21 days 1 3
Streaming Services Varies by collection    
Video Games 7 days 5 3
Zines 21 days * 3

* Materials have no item type limits but the maximum card limits apply

Holds

  • You must have a VPL library card to place holds. If you don't have a card yet, you can still place a hold now. Learn how to register for a library card online.
  • You get unlimited free holds each calendar year.
  • You may have up to 50 holds on physical items at one time.
  • Number of holds permitted on eBooks and downloadable audiobooks varies by product.
  • We charge $2 for each physical item hold that is not picked up or not cancelled before pickup location closure on the expiry date. However, there are no charges for eBook/downloadable audiobook expired holds.
  • There is no charge to cancel a hold before the expiry date.

Holds enable you to reserve an item that is not currently available and have it delivered to your preferred VPL branch pick-up location.

Note: No holds are permitted on Fast Read books, Quick View DVDs, magazines, or zines.

InterLibrary Loan Fees

Late charges

We no longer charge fines for overdue materials.

If an item is not returned within 23 days of its due date, the cardholder will have a lost item charge attached to their account. This charge will remain on the account until the item is returned or the charge is paid.

Charges for lost and damaged materials

If an item is not returned within 23 days of its due date, the cardholder will have a lost item charge attached to their account. This charge will remain on the account until the item is returned or the charge is paid.

You will only be charged for damage if the item needs to be replaced. We charge the full cost of a set if one piece is missing or damaged.

We charge only the cost of the item for Children's, Preschool and Institutional (daycare, seniors home) cards. We do not charge processing fees for these cards.

Material Charges
Books cost + $12*
Books - Fast Reads cost + $12*
Books - Fast Read Generic Paperbacks $12
Books - Generic and Brief Catalogued Mass Market Paperbacks $11
Book Club Sets cost + $12*
Book Club Sets canvas bags $15
Boxes, cases, and/or zipper cases $2
CDs (including audiobooks) cost + $12*
CD-ROMs cost + $12*
DVDs and Blu-ray cost + $12*
Multimedia kits cost + one $12*
Multi-volume sets (plastic hanger, box) $3
Magazines $8
Magazines, Non English $10
Music Parts & Folders cost + $12*
Pamphlets $5
Playsets (multiple copies of playscript) $10 per copy
Video Games cost + $12*
Voltage Meters $35 + $12*
Zines $5

Musical Instrument Charges

Material Charges
Acoustic bass $310.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Acoustic guitar $110.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Banjo $375.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Digital piano, 88 keys $400.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Drum, small & medium $100.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Drum, large & extra large $250.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Electric guitar $200.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Glockenspiel $75.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Hand instruments, small Cost + $12.00 processing fee *
Keyboard, 61 keys $200.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Mandolin $250.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Ukulele $70.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Violin $350.00 + $12.00 processing fee *
Amplifier bag $30.00
Gigbag $45.00
Hardshell case $85.00
Padded bag $85.00
Small instrument container $20.00
Amplifier $200.00
Bow $60.00
Cable for electric guitar $15.00
Drumstick, padded $15.00
Mallets $15.00 each
Power adapter $50.00
Sustain pedal $20.00

* $12 Processing fee covers staff time to delete item from database and the cost of ordering and processing the original item.

Refunds

If you have paid for lost library material and subsequently returned it within 90 days, you are eligible to receive a refund up to 1 year from the payment date. Please keep your payment receipt. A reminder that a $12 fee for lost materials is charged and will not be eligible for refund. Refunds must be returned to the same payment method.

Graphic shows the timeline for qualifying for a refund

Unfortunately we are not able to accept replacement copies for lost library material. Thank you for your understanding.

There are no refunds on copy cards purchased for printing and photocopying.

 

Borrowing Privileges and Responsibilities

You are responsible for all the materials borrowed on your card and for any charges on items that are lost or damaged. You will lose your borrowing privileges if you:

  • Have more than 10 items overdue
  • Owe more than $10 to the library
  • Claim that you have more than five items returned that we cannot find

To restore borrowing privileges, bring your account below these limits.

Note

  • We will charge your account $20 if your cheque cannot be processed because of insufficient funds
  • We will charge your account $15 if you cancel a valid credit card charge
  • Library Administration approves the fines, fees and charges related to lending services and sets the loan periods and limits on borrowing