Limits, Holds and Charges

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.

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

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

Placing Holds

• You must have a VPL library card to place holds. If you don't have a card yet, you can register for a temporary library card online and start placing holds. 
• You can place a hold online or by contacting us. 
• You can place as many hold as you like (in a year), though can only have a maximum of 50 holds on physical items at any one time.
  • The number of holds permitted on eBooks and downloadable audiobooks varies by product.

Picking Up Your Hold

• When your item is ready to be picked up, you can be notified via email, phone or mail. The default to be notified about your hold is email (if you have one listed in your account). If you want to change the way you are being notified, please contact us. 
• Once you are notified, head down to the branch you selected for pick up, pick your hold up off the Holds shelf (organized by last name) and check out the item (using the same card that placed the request).
• You have 7 days to pick up your hold (your notification will tell you the exact date by which you need to pick up your hold).
• We charge $2 for each physical item hold that is not picked up or not cancelled before pickup location closure on the hold 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.

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

Please see the How much do I have to pay? section on the Interlibrary Loans for VPL Cardholders page.

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.

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.

Musical Instrument Charges

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

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.

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.