Loans, Limits & Fines

The library no longer charges fines for late returns. We rely on you to return your items on time to ensure all customers have equal access to our collections. Cardholders are responsible for charges for lost or damaged items. Replacement costs are charged to purchase new material. We do not accept replacement books.

The replacement cost is the price listed in the library item record. We do not charge additional processing fees or late charges on lost or damaged material at the time of payment. If after paying for a lost item and it is found, it may be returned within 30 days of payment with receipt. If a library item is 21 days overdue, the item will be billed and the replacement cost will be charged to your library account.

Borrowing privileges will be temporarily suspended if your account has a billed item (21 days overdue) or more than $10 in charges. Customers may borrow again once the billed items are returned or paid for.

Members may borrow up to 30 items per card from the categories below (not including digital collections).

Item	Loan Period	Limit	Renewals
Book	3 weeks	30	2 Automatic Renewals
Magazine	1 week	30	2 Automatic Renewals
CD & DVD	1 week	30	2 Automatic Renewals
Audiobook (CD format)	3 weeks	30	2 Automatic Renewals
Lucky Day Reads	3 weeks	30	No Renewals
3-Day Loan DVD (yellow sticker)	3 days	30	No Renewals
Hamilton Book Dispenser Item	3 weeks	20	No Renewals
Minoru Book Dispenser Item	3 weeks	20	No Renewals
ebook, eMagazine & Audiobook (OverDrive / Libby)	3 weeks	10	Manual renewals, see more here
Interlibrary Loan	3 weeks	5	No Renewals
Book Club Set (including ESL and Junior Book Club Sets)	3 weeks	2	1 Manual Renewal
Science Kit, Theme Bag & Box	3 weeks	2	2 Automatic Renewals
Video Game	3 weeks	2	No Renewals
ExplorePACK*	1 week	1	2 Automatic Renewals
Ukulele Kit**	3 weeks	1	2 Automatic Renewals
STEAM Kit***	3 weeks	1	2 Automatic Renewals
Learning Kit (Including Indigenous Learning Kits)	6 weeks	1	No Renewals
Podcasting Kit	3 weeks	1	No Renewals
Nostalgia Kit	6 weeks	1	No Renewals
Active Mind Set	3 weeks	1	No Renewals
Family Fun Night Kit	1 week	1	No Renewals
Baby & Preschool Theme Box	6 weeks	1	No Renewals
Kindergarten Readiness Theme Bag	6 weeks	1	No Renewals
Storytime Kit	3 weeks	1	2 Automatic Renewals
StoryWalk® Kit	3 weeks	1	No Renewals
Laptop	3 hours	1	No Renewals

Frequently Asked Questions

Automatic Renewals

To enhance customer experience, we will automatically renew eligible items for a maximum of two times their full loan period.

The automatic renewal service is already in place for all customers and there is no need to opt in. If you do not wish to keep these items longer, simply return them on time as usual. You can also manually renew online or renew all eligible items in person at the library.

We will attempt to auto-renew your checked out items when we send you the Courtesy Notice email 1 day prior the due date for 1 week loans and 3 days prior the due date for 3 week loans. All eligible items will be renewed a maximum of two times their full loan period. Automatic renewal calculates the new due date from the original due date, not from the date of renewal so you will not lose any time. The Courtesy Notice may include items that could not be automatically renewed with current due dates along with items automatically renewed.

Note: Listed below are the items that will not be automatically renewed.

There is a hold on the item by another customer
You have reached the maximum amount of renewals
You have a billed item (21 days overdue) or more than $10 in charges on your account
There is a block on your account for items returned incomplete or in poor condition

Return Library Items

All external book returns are open 24/7 daily, and the internal book returns are available at all branches during opening hours. Items borrowed from the Hamilton book dispenser should be returned directly to the dispenser. Items borrowed from the Minoru book dispenser should be returned directly to the dispenser.

Note: Books can also be returned to other lower mainland public libraries. It can take up to four weeks for the return status to update in our online system.

Interlibrary Loans

If none of the Richmond branches has the book you want, we can get it for you for free from other BC library systems through interlibrary loans. Request for the book in one of the three ways:

Submit an InterLibrary Loan (ILL) request in Illume Online.
While you’re in the library, ask a staff to submit an ILL request on your behalf.
Email us with your request.

Place Holds

Use the online catalogue to place holds on items. Request up to 15 items at any given time and set your pick up location to any branch.

Can I request to pick up holds at the Hamilton Community Centre?

Yes, holds may be picked up during Community Centre hours: ask a staff member for assistance. Items will be held for 7 days and there is a $2.00 charge for every item that is not picked up.

Can’t pick up your hold in time?

Cancel your hold online at anytime or contact us to extend your hold for another 3 days.

When will I get my hold?

It depends on when the item is returned and your position on the waiting list. When the item is ready for pick up, you will be notified by phone or email.

Log on to your account to check your rank in the holds under My RPL > Holds

Can I still borrow a book I find on shelf if I’ve already placed a hold on it?

Definitely! Your hold will be automatically cancelled. If you borrow a Lucky Day copy, please contact staff to cancel your hold manually.

Replace Lost or Stolen Card

Contact us as soon as you can by phone or email and we will temporarily deactivate your lost library card. Visit any branch with a piece of valid identification to get a replacement card. There is a fee of $2.00 for a replacement card.

Forgot Your PIN?

A PIN is a 4 digit personal identification number required for services such as logging into your online account, booking library equipments, borrowing library items from the self-checkout stations, and accessing RPL’s digital collections.

Your PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your phone number. If you have changed your PIN to another number and you don’t remember, feel free to visit a RPL branch with valid identification to have a staff member reset your PIN for you.

Note: Your PIN cannot be changed or confirmed by phone, email or chat.

ExplorePACK*

2 Birdwatching ExplorePACKS types available for Adults/Teens: Birdwatching ExplorePACK Single Pack, Birdwatching ExplorePACK 2-Person Pack.

3 types of Hiking ExplorePACKS available for Adults/Teens: Hiking ExplorePACK Single Pack, Hiking ExplorePACK 2-Person Pack, Hiking ExplorePACK 4-Person Pack.

3 types of Fishing ExplorePACKS available for Adults/Teens: Fishing ExplorePACK Kits 1&2 has 1 rod each to borrow, Fishing ExplorePACK Kits 3&4 has 2 rods each to borrow (Brighouse & Steveston), Fishing Explore PACK Kits 5&6 has 4 rods each to borrow. If you are over 16, you will need a license to fish in BC: Get your license here

All the ExplorePACKS should be returned to the branch they were originally borrowed.

Ukulele Kit**

All branches have ukuleles kits available for check out and reservation. Ukuleles should be returned to the branch they were borrowed from. For Adults/Teens only.

STEAM Kit***

Only one kit can be borrowed at a time. Adults or Customer must be or be accompanied by someone 13 years or older during checkout.