How to use the library

Get a Library Card | Loan Periods | Fines & Other Charges | Returns | Placing Holds
Renewing Materials | Accessing your personal Library Record | Email notification
Lost Cards | Address Changes

Get a Library Card

  • Membership is available at no charge to: people who live, work or attend school within the Town of Aurora, or within the York Public Libraries Network (Aurora, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.) Verification of eligibility is required.
     
  • The annual membership fee for those who do not live, work or attend school in Aurora, or a YPLN municipality is $30 per person or $60 per family.
     
  • Temporary Aurora residents are charged a $10 deposit, which is refundable upon return of all materials and the temporary Library card.

When applying for a card, you will be asked for two pieces of identification, one with your current address. Children 12 years of age and under need a parent's or guardian's permission.

BORROWING MATERIALS

Loan Periods

  • The loan period for most material is 3 weeks, including CDs, cassettes and CD-ROMs.
  • The loan period for videocassettes and DVDs is 1 week
  • Best-sellers and high demand items (Fast Track Service) may be borrowed for 2 weeks
  • Special holiday loan periods may be available, upon request.

Fines & Other Charges

  • Children (ages 6 to 12 years)
    • 5 cents per day per item
    • $3.00 maximum per item
  • Adult (ages 13 to 64 years)
    • 20 cents per day per item
    • $3.00 maximum per item
  • Seniors (ages 65 years and older)
    • 10 cents per day per item
    • $3.00 maximum per item
  • Lost or Damaged Library cards
    • $1.00 replacement fee

Please note:

  • Children up to and including 5 years of age and Visiting Library Service patrons are not required to pay fines on overdue materials.
  • Lost or Damaged materials are subject to replacement charges.
  • Borrowing privileges are suspended when outstanding fines and charges exceed $20.00 or when a final notice has been issued for overdue material.

Returns
Material can be returned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the drop box at the east (Parking lot) entrance.

Placing holds
  • You can place a hold on a circulating item by using our Online Catalogue, or by phoning us.
  • You will be notified by TeleCirc, or by Email if you have registered for email notification, when the item is available for pickup
  • If you are going on vacation, you can temporarily suspend your holds through our online catalogue. When you're ready, you can simply return your holds to active status.

Renewing materials
Material other than videocassettes and DVDs may be renewed for two additional loan periods, unless a hold has been placed on the material.

Materials may be renewed in the following ways:

  • Through our Online Catalogue, click on 'My Library Record'
  • Via Telecirc, our automated telephone messaging system, at (905) 727-0314
  • Call the Circulation desk at (905) 727-9493
  • In the Library, using the Online Catalogue, or ask staff for assistance

Accessing Your Personal Library Record
To access your Library Record through the Online Catalogue, or through TeleCirc, you will need:

  • Your APL membership card number
  • Your telephone number
  • Use of a PIN (Personal Identification Number) is optional and can be obtained at the Library
TeleCirc is available 24 hours per day, except Mondays & Thursdays between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

The Online Catalogue is available 24 hours per day, except Mondays & Thursdays between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.


Email Notification
If you're an avid library user and a frequent email user, you can get your library notices faster if you sign up for email! The Aurora Public Library offers email notification for items on hold for you and for overdue items. (Any final notices or bills will continue to be sent by mail.) Login to register for email notification

Not receiving Email notices?: Some Junk Mail filters block notices from the Library. To ensure notices are not blocked, please add the email address circulation@library.aurora.on.ca to your "Safe List". (This is particularly important for Hotmail and Sympatico users)

Lost Cards
Treat your library card like a Credit Card. You are responsible for any item borrowed on this card until it has been reported lost. Report a lost card immediately to avoid misuse.

Address Changes
Changes in personal information, such as address, telephone number or email address should be reported immediately.


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