Curbside Holds Pick-Up will allow library customers to once again borrow physical materials from our branches.
During this phase, library buildings will remain closed and staff will fill holds requests for curbside pick-up at most of our branches.
Our book drops are opening for returns with limited hours. As we are expecting a very high volume of returns and will be quarantining materials for 72 hours, we want to remind everyone that materials currently checked out are not due back until June 15, 2020.
Please respect the open hours of the book drops and do not leave any material outside of the library.
Please see www.orl.bc.ca/hours-locations for Curbside Holds Pick-up hours and Book Drop hours at your location.
Our UBCO branch and Westside Learning Lab will not be open for any service. Customers are asked to visit another library branch. All holds that were available for pick-up before the closure will be sent to another branch. Items held at the Lab will be routed to the Westbank Branch and items held at UBCO will be routed to the Rutland Branch.
To borrow materials, simply place holds using our catalogue or by calling 1-844-649-8127, wait to receive your email (or text, or phone) notification that your holds are ready and visit your branch during open hours.
How to place a hold on a book, CD, or DVD:
The total number of items you can have out at once has not changed. That number varies depending on your membership type. For resident adults and children total number of items out is 100.
We have limited the total number of holds to 20 during Phase 2. If you are placing some of your holds on items with a waiting list, you may want to place at least some of your holds on items currently available in our branches, to ensure you always have something to read.
Items are being quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours after they are returned before staff will be checking them in. This means items you return will still appear on your library card for a few days.
Do not worry, no fines are being generated during this time. If you are concerned that an item you returned is still showing on your account longer than you would expect, reach out to us through Chat or Phone for account help.
As of June 2, our book drops will be reopened on a limited schedule. Visit www.orl.bc.ca/hours-locations to see the book drop schedule for your branch. All returns must be placed in the book drops.
We understand at this time many in our communities have experienced financial challenges due to COVID 19. We have temporarily suspended fines in recognition of that fact. We have also temporarily removed any blocks to library access for those customers who had already incurred fines before we closed. Library fines do help support the functioning of your library system, so if you are able to pay, we would appreciate that. Fines can be paid online through your library account.
Library materials are being quarantined for 72 hours when they are returned to the library. Your materials that you pick up will only have been handled by staff who are fit for work, and following appropriate hygiene and safe work procedures after that quarantine period. Loan periods have been extended to 4 weeks, to provide time for anyone who chooses to quarantine their items when they bring them home before reading them.
We have extended the loan period of items to 4 weeks