Questions about your loans, overdue fines, holds or account? Chances are you'll find the answer below. For all other questions, please call our Circulation Department at 604-231-6404.

LIBRARY CARDS

How do I get a library card?

You can apply for a card using the Library Card Application Form. Once you complete the form, you can pick up your card at the Library Cards & Accounts desk at any branch location. You must present one piece of identification that has both your name and current address to pick up your library card. If you have recently moved and do not have identification with your current address, please bring a piece of mail addressed to you with your current address, along with another piece of identification, such as a Driver's License or BC ID. All residents of BC can obtain a free library card.

How do I get my child a library card?

Children of any age can get a library card. You can apply for a card for your child using the Library Card Application Form. Once you complete the form, you can pick up your child's card at the Library Cards & Accounts desk at any branch location. Present a piece of ID or student card along with the parent's identification with proof of address. If you have recently moved and do not have identification with your current address, please bring a piece of mail addressed to you with your current address, along with another piece of identification. Cards for children are free. Parents must be responsible for materials borrowed.

Can I get a library card here, even if I don't live in Richmond?

Yes. If you have a library card from one of the InterLINK public libraries, you can register your card at Richmond Public Library at no charge. To do this, fill-out our Library Card Application form and then register your library card at any of our branch locations. BC Residents can obtain a card for free, while non-BC residents can obtain a card for a fee.

What is the BC OneCARD and how do I apply?

The BC OneCARD enables you to borrow books from outside your home library system for free. If you live within the InterLINK system, you can register for a Richmond Public Library card or register your InterLINK library card in any InterLINK library. At Richmond Public Library you do not need to present your home library card for registration for a BC OneCARD, just a piece of identification with your permanent address. For more information, visit http://www.bclibrary.ca/home/bc-onecard/bc-onecard.

What do I do if my library card is lost or stolen?

Library cards are like credit cards. It is important to notify the library immediately if your card is lost or stolen. Card holders are responsible for all materials borrowed on their card. Call any branch of the library and report your card missing or stolen. Visit any branch to get a new card. The charge for a replacement card is $2.00.

I have a new address. How do I update my account?

You can update your account online using the Change of Address Form.

I have a new e-mail address. How do I update my account?

You can update your e-mail online using the Change of Address Form.

How do I request email notification?

You can change your account preferences using the Change of Address Form. At the bottom of the form, select e-mail as your preferred method of being contacted and then click on submit.

CHARGES

What are the overdue charges?

Late charges (overdue fines) are charged by material type, not by library card. For example childrens' books will be charged at the child rate and adult and teen books will be charged at the adult rate. This applies to books only. ALL overdue DVDs, Videos, CD's and CD-Roms will continue to be charged at the rate of $ 1.00 per day.

• Adult books: $0.30 / day
• Adult Rapid Reads: $1.00/ day
• Teen/Young Adult Books: $0.30/ day
• Children’s books: $0.10 / day
• Junior Rapid Reads: $0.30 / day
• Books on CD:$0.30
• Junior Books on cassette and Books on CD:$0.10
• Reading Club sets:$0.30
• Theme Boxes and Toy Boxes:$1.00 / day
• ALL DVDs, Videos, CDs, and CD-ROMs: $1.00 / day

Lost a library item? Visit any branch to pay for lost or damaged items. Refunds for paid items will be issued with a receipt within 3 months.

Can I pay my library charges online?

We are currently unable to provide online payment service.

What are the charges for lost items?

Charges for lost items are based on the current cost to replace the item. The cost for items varies. Check with a staff person at the Library Cards & Accounts Desk at any branch to determine the cost of the item.

Why are the charges for audio-visual materials higher than books?

The video, CD-Rom, CDs and DVDs are smaller collections used by a large number of people. In order to provide access to this very popular collection, fines were set to encourage a high rate of return to ensure fairness.

I returned a DVD from the DVD dispenser machine on the due date and was charged a $2.00 fine--Why?

You will be charged $2.00/DVD if a DVD is not returned to the DVD machine, even if it is returned to one of the branches or via bookslots. DVDs from the DVD machine cannot be returned at any library system other than the Richmond Public Library.

I returned an item on the due date and renewed it online the next day because it was still showing on my account and was charged an overdue fine--Why?

Items returned on the due date may not be removed from your account for a few days. No fines will be charged as all items returned are backdated to the day of return. However, if you renew returned items online to avoid fines, the system will treat the item as overdue and charge fines automatically before staff are able to backdate the item. Please do not renew items you have already returned, and please allow 3 days for items to be removed from your account before contacting us.

I was charged one dollar for not picking up my hold. Why?

When holds are processed, you will receive an automatic phone or e-mail (depending on your account preferences). If a hold is not picked-up within 7 days, you are charged one dollar for each unclaimed hold. You can also check the status of your holds anytime online on the My Holds page.

HOLDS

Can I place a hold on books and other materials?

If an item you need is owned by RPL but not on the shelf, you may request that it be held for you free of charge when it is returned. You can hold books from the Library's catalogue using Library public terminals, or from home, school or work. There is a maximum of 10 holds per card at any given time.
From the catalogue, search by title, author or subject and click on "full record" for any item to confirm availability. In the full record of an item, click on the button marked "hold title" on the left. Enter your library card and telephone information when prompted and follow the button clicks to confirm the hold. You will be notified when the item is ready to be picked up.

How many holds can be placed on DVD Dispenser materials?

You can place 2 holds. The holds last 5 hours at the end of which they are automatically cancelled if the item is not picked up - there is no charge for this.

How long will items be held for me?

Items will be held for 7 days. There is a charge of $1.00 for every item that is not picked-up.

Can I delay or suspend my holds?

Yes, you can suspend your holds by unchecking the 'Active' checkbox beside the items on the My Holds page. You can then re-instate them by checking the 'Active' checkbox. For example, you can use this feature to delay your hold when you know you will be on vacation or otherwise unavailable to pick it up so that you can maintain your place in the hold queue. When de-activated, your place in the hold queue will continue to advance until it reaches the top of the list where it will wait until activation. This feature is only available for holds before they are at the 'Available for Pickup' stage.

My hold is taking a long time. How many people are ahead of me and how long do I have to wait?

You can check your rank in the holds queue on the My Holds page. Listed next to each hold is the total number of holds for the item, your rank in the holds queue.

How do I get a book sent here from another Richmond Public Library branch?

If you would like a copy of a book that is ON SHELF at any branch of the Richmond Public Library, please call the owning branch to ask if it can be put aside for you. Items will be held for two days. Place a hold on an item at our public terminals in the library, or online from home, school or office. If the item is ON SHELF, it will be retrieved by staff and sent to the appropriate branch in a prompt manner.
The "hold title" option is available in our Web catalogue. First find the title, view the "full record" and then click "hold title" in the left margin. Confirm the branch most convenient for you by using the drop down menu listing Brighouse (Main), Ironwood or Steveston.
Ask a librarian for help with any questions about our Web catalogue.

How do I get a book sent here from another library outside Richmond?

If you know the author and title of the book you want and the Richmond Public Library does not own the book, you can ask a librarian in any of the Richmond branches to place an interlibrary loan for you. Books published within the last 18 months are not available for interlibrary loan; audiovisual material is also unavailable. There is no charge for this service.

BORROWING MATERIALS

How many items can I take out?

You can borrow a total of 25 items per person. This includes books, CDs, VHS tapes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, Theme Boxes and Toy Boxes. Only one theme box per family please.

How long can I keep library materials?

• 4 weeks for books, including bestsellers, books on cassette and holiday books
• 3 weeks for pamphlets
• 1 week for magazines, Rapid Reads, videos, CDs, CD-ROMs and DVDs
• 3 days for DVDs from the DVD dispensing machine
• 1 week for video games from the DVD dispensing machine
• 4 weeks for theme boxes and toy boxes

I returned items that are still showing on my account. Why?

During busy times of the year and after statutory holidays, it often takes up to 3 days to process the extra volume of returned items. However, all items returned are backdated to the day of return. No overdue fines will be charged if items are returned by the due date. If returned items remain on your record for longer than three days, contact the Circulation Department at 231-6404.

Can I return items at any Richmond Library branch?

Yes, you can return library items to any of our four branch locations – Brighouse (Main), Ironwood, Steveston, or Cambie branch. Click here for branch locations and hours.

Can I return Richmond Public Library items at another library system like Vancouver Public Library? Does it have to be returned before the due date?

You can return items from other libraries that are part of the InterLINK group of libraries. No overdue fines will be charged as long as items are returned by the due date.

I have books from another library. Can I return them to Richmond Public Library?

Yes, you can return items from other libraries that are part of InterLINK to any branch of Richmond Public Library. No overdue fines will be charged as long as items are returned by the due date.

How can I renew material I have checked out?

You can renew materials on the My Loans and Renewals page. Once you log in, select the particular items you wish to renew and click on "Renew Selected Items", or click on "Renew All". The web page will tell you if the renewal was successful and if so, the new due date for each renewed item. You may renew items twice. You will not be able to renew items if:

• there is a hold on the item
• the item is a Rapid Read book, Rapid View movie or a 3 day loan item
• the item is a Theme Box or a Toy Box
• if you've already renewed it twice
• if you owe $10 or more in late charges

You can also renew items by:

• bringing items to the staff of any Richmond Public Library branch
• scanning checked out items again at an automated self-checkout machine

Visit the Library Cards & Accounts desk at any Richmond Public Library branch if you need assistance with renewals.

What is a "Rapid Read"?

Check out all Richmond Public Library branches for their display of Rapid Read copies of New & Hot and Bestselling Fiction and Non-Fiction material. We encourage readers to come in and browse popular new material on the shelves in the Rapid Read section.

• These popular Rapid Read Bestsellers are 7 day loan and no holds or renewals are permitted.
• The library also has regular circulating copies of these high demand books. Customers are able to place holds and borrow these copies for the regular 28 day loan period.