Current Branch Services
UPDATE – OPL services during the provincial state of emergency.
Customers will not be allowed inside the branches or Bookmobile during the provincial state of emergency. In-branch services will not be available during this period.
All open OPL branches and the Bookmobile will offer “curbside” returns and holds pickup. No appointments are required to pick up holds and return items. If you would like to pause, cancel, or manage your holds, you can do so in your online account.
Kiosk Services at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre will be closed during this period. The holds lockers and returns service at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre will not be available at this time.
Hours of operation will remain the same for most branches. Greely, North Gower, and Richmond branches will shift their hours to close by 8 p.m., and all Bookmobile stops will close by 8 p.m. Please visit the Hours and Locations page for the list of OPL branches open for curbside holds pickup and returns.
The following branch will begin offering returns and holds pickup on this date:
- Orléans branch - Monday, February 1
Closed branches: These branches remain closed: Constance Bay, Fitzroy Harbour, Munster, Osgoode, and Vernon.
Returns And Holds Pickup Service
Alta Vista, Beaverbrook, Blackburn Hamlet, Carlingwood, Carp, Centennial, Cumberland, Elmvale Acres, Emerald Plaza, Greely, Greenboro, Hazeldean, Main, Manotick, Metcalfe Village, Nepean Centrepointe, North Gloucester, North Gower, Richmond, Rideau, Rockcliffe Park, Rosemount, Ruth E. Dickinson, Sunnyside, Stittsville, St. Laurent, and Vanier are offering curbside returns and holds pickup service. These branches are offering curbside service, where you will return items and pick up holds outside the branch.
Appointments are not required to return items or pick up holds at branches offering curbside returns and holds pickup service. Holds can be picked up and items can be returned any time during opening hours.
The Bookmobile is also offering returns and holds pickup service, with a modified schedule. Appointments are not required to return items or pick up holds at the Bookmobile.
Kiosk services at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre will be closed during this period.
The following branch will begin offering returns and holds pickup on this date:
- Orléans branch - Monday, February 1
You can return Library material to branches offering curbside returns and holds pickup service any time during opening hours, with no appointment.
Appointments are not required to pick up holds at branches offering curbside returns and holds pickup service. You can pick up your holds at these branches during their hours of operation. When you arrive at the branch, you will line up outside the branch to pick up your holds. Please bring your Library card to pick up your holds.
Signage at the branches will show you where to go to return items and pick up your holds, and employees will be there, at a safe distance, to provide additional instructions.
You can return Library material or pick up holds at the Bookmobile with no appointment. Bookmobile holds that are designated for a closed stop will be available for pick up at any of the open stops on the modified schedule.
The holds lockers and returns service at the Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre will be closed during this period.
If you require any accommodations, please speak to an employee for assistance when you arrive at the branch.
RETURNS
You can return your borrowed items at any open branch during opening hours. The Bookmobile is also accepting returns, on a modified schedule.
You do not need an appointment to return items. You can return your items at any open branch during their hours of operation. Signage at the branches will show you where to go to return your Library items, and employees will be there, at a safe distance, to provide additional instructions.
Late fees for items were suspended in March and will continue to be suspended until the end of 2020.
Returned items will be quarantined for 72 hours and then processed. Because of this, items may remain on your card for at least a week after you return them. You will not be charged late fees during this period. If you still see your returned items listed as checked out in your account after a week, contact InfoService at 613-580-2940 or InfoService@BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca.
The Library is not accepting book or material donations at this time.
HOLDS
You do not need an appointment to pick up your holds at branches offering curbside returns and holds pickup service. You can pick up your holds during hours of operation. Please bring your Library card to pick up your holds.
Signage at the branches will show you where to go to pick up your holds, and employees will be there, at a safe distance, to provide additional instructions.
Holds will be kept for 7 days. Holds at the Metcalfe Village branch will be kept on the shelves for 28 days. You need to pick up your holds before the Pick up by date on your holds notification email.
As of Thursday, October 1, the $1 fee will once again apply for items on hold that are not picked up before their expiry date. You can manage, pause, or cancel holds in your online account.
Yes! Please be sure to bring the library cards for any accounts you are picking up holds for.
When you get to your branch, signage will clearly indicate where you need to go to line up to pick up your holds. Employees will be there to provide additional direction. Please make sure to bring your library card to pick up your holds.
The loan period for regular items is 21 days. Late fees have been suspended.
Customers can reserve items, with a temporary limit of 100 total holds (physical items) per customer.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The health and safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority.
- Mask wearing remains mandatory.
- Returned materials will continue to be quarantined for 72 hours before returning to circulation.
- Physical distancing markers will be indicated at all branches offering curbside returns and holds pickup service.
- Customers are asked to follow directional signage.