Posted: July 1, 2020
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WPL to Go

Introducing WPL To Go

We are happy to announce our WPL To Go Curbside Pick-Up Service - now at all locations!

How It Works

1. Place items on hold through the library’s catalogue or by phone at 519-886-1310. Need help? We can assist you in choosing materials. Simply contact us via AskUs

2. Wait for a notification that your item(s) are ready for pick up and proceed to your designated pick-up location. No appointment needed!

3. When you arrive at your designated pick-up location, please have your library card number ready and follow the instructions posted.

      • Main Library: After calling the phone number posted, proceed to the designated line-up area. Your items will be brought out to the WPL To Go curbside pick-up table for a touch-free pickup.
      • John M. Harper Branch: After calling the phone number posted, your items will be brought to your car and placed in your trunk for a touch-free pickup.

      • *NEW* McCormick Branch (begins Tues, July 7th): Please enter through the sliding doors at the McCormick Branch and follow the signs to the Community Room for a touch-free pick-up.

4. A due date receipt will be included with your items. All materials are checked out for an extended loan period of 6 weeks with the exception of hotspots which continue to have a 2 week loan period.


WPL To Go Hours


Main Library & John M. Harper Branch
Monday to Saturday 11:00am to 6:00pm

WPL To Go Hours, starting Monday, July 6th:

Main Library
Mon – Sat: 10:30am – 5:30pm

John M. Harper Branch
Mon & Wed – Sat (no Tues service): 10:30am – 5:30pm

*NEW* McCormick Branch (begins Tuesday, July 7th)
Tues & Sat: 10:30am – 5:30pm

Note: WPL To Go will be closed on all statutory holidays including July 1, August 3 and September 7

We appreciate your patience and understanding as there is currently a high level of demand which may impact availability of materials as well as turnaround time for your requested items.


Special Order Bundles


Looking for books to keep your little ones entertained? Enjoy a Special Order Book Bundle. To make it easy for customers, staff will hand-select bundles of 10 Board Books, Picturebooks or Easy Readers that you can pick up. Learn more and place your special order now. 


Returning Library Items

We are currently accepting returns at the Main Library ONLY:

Monday to Saturday
11:00am to 6:00pm


Starting on Monday, July 6th, you can return items to ANY WPL location during WPL To Go Hours:


Main Library
Mon – Sat: 10:30am – 5:30pm

John M. Harper Branch
Mon & Wed – Sat (no Tues service): 10:30am – 5:30pm

*NEW* McCormick Branch (begins Tuesday, July 7th)
Tues & Sat: 10:30am – 5:30pm

For materials that are returned, we are taking precautions to ensure that our collections are safe to be handled by members of the public and our staff by quarantining returned items for 72 hours.

A reminder that any items that were due after March 14, 2020 are now due by July 20, 2020. Don't worry, there were no overdue fines accumulated while we were closed.

NOTE: As a result of our current procedure of placing returned items under 72-hour quarantine, it could take 5 to 7 days for items to be removed from your library account. No fines will be incurred during this period.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

Check out the FAQs below for answers to your questions. Need help? Contact us!

WPL To Go FAQ

WPL To Go FAQ

Is it safe to borrow library materials during the COVID-19 outbreak?

We are taking all precautions to ensure that materials on our shelves and those that are returned to us are safe to be handled by members of the public.

Any returned items are not being handled for the recommended period of 72 hours.

If you are feeling unwell or if any member of your household is sick or in isolation, we ask that you refrain from borrowing library materials. This will help us all feel more comfortable and confident with the safety of our collections.

How are you ensuring the safety of customers and staff?

With the delivery of this service, the health and safety of our staff and our customers is our top priority.

Here are the measures we are taking:

  • All WPL staff will have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Pick-up locations will have proper physical distancing protocols in place
  • Returned materials are quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours
  • Intensive cleaning of branches has been done in advance including disinfecting of high touch surfaces
  • Regular cleaning and hand washing protocols are in place
What should I expect when I come to the library?

Starting Monday, June 15th, we will have designated pick-up areas at the Main Library and the John M. Harper Branch for WPL To Go. Social distancing markers will be in place to help ensure your safety.

When you arrive at your designated pickup location, please have your library card number ready and call us at the number indicated on the exterior signage. 

      • Main Library: After calling, proceed to the designated line-up area. Your items will be brought out to the WPL To Go curbside pickup table for a touch-free pickup.
      • John M. Harper Branch: After calling, your items will be brought to your car and placed in your trunk for a touch-free pickup.

What are the hours for the WPL To Go service?

Beginning Monday, June 15th, WPL To Go curbside pick-ups will take place at the Main Library and the John M. Harper Branch:

Monday to Saturday: 11:00am to 6:00pm

 

I don’t have a cell phone so I can’t call when I arrive at my pickup location. What do I do?

If you don’t have a cell phone, when you receive a notification that your order is ready, contact us at askus@wpl.ca or give us a call at 519-886-1310 in advance and we can make arrangements for your pick-up.

Can I return items to the library?

Starting Monday, June 15 we will be accepting returns at the Main Library ONLY:

Monday to Saturday
11:00am to 6:00pm

For materials that are returned, we are taking precautions to ensure that our collections are safe to be handled by members of the public and our staff by quarantining returned items for 72 hours.

Note: As a result of our current procedure of placing returned items under 72-hour quarantine, it could take 5 to 7 days for items to be removed from your library account. No fines will be incurred during this period.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

I heard about WPL To Go but don't have a library card. Can I get a membership?
Yes! Membership at Waterloo Public Library is FREE to persons residing or owning property within the boundaries of the City of Waterloo and to persons residing in communities with whom Waterloo Public Library has reciprocal borrowing agreements.

Apply for a library card online now.
Can I place a WPL To Go order if I have overdue fines?

We are excited to announce that for the rest of 2020, there will be NO overdue fines! Plus, any existing fines will be put on hold until 2021. So, you don’t need to worry about them for now.

If you currently owe more than $10 in fines & fees and your access has been limited, you can once again borrow, renew or place holds on your library account, effective immediately.

If you have questions about overdue items on your library account, give us a call at 519-886-1310 or email us at askus@wpl.ca.

When is the library going to be open again?

WPL is following guidelines from the provincial government of Ontario as well as the City of Waterloo and Region of Waterloo Public Health.

We are working extensively on a phased in approach to reintroducing library services. Please check our Library News page for updates.

How long will you keep my hold(s) for me?
We'll keep your hold(s) for 7 days, to ensure you have lots of time to come and pick them up.
Are the loan periods still for the same lengths of time?
All items borrowed during our WPL To Go curbside service will have a special 6-week loan period EXCEPT for hotspots which continue to have a 2-week loan period.
What if I still have items from before the library closed? When are they due?
Any items that were due after March 14, 2020 are now due by July 20, 2020.

Don't worry, there were no overdue fines accumulated while we were closed.

Returns will currently only be accepted at the Main Library beginning Monday, June 15.
Can I drop off book donations?
At this time, we are not accepting book donations or any other items. Please only return borrowed WPL items. With limited space to quarantine circulating materials we must recycle donated items.
What if I am arriving for curbside pick-up without a vehicle?

Curbside pick-up is available for everyone at both the Main Library and John M. Harper Branch, including walkers, bicyclists and any other non-vehicle arrivals.

Please follow the posted instructions when you arrive on site at your pick-up location.

Why is the John M. Harper Branch closed on Tuesdays? Why aren’t you offering computer/WiFi service at this location?
In order to provide curbside service at the McCormick Branch on Tuesdays, we needed to redeploy staff from our John M. Harper Branch to work at the McCormick Branch.

At the John M. Harper Branch, we are working in conjunction with our building partner, the YMCA, in planning for the safe reopening of our joint facility to the public. At this time we are unable to bring library customers into the building to use the computers or WiFi.

As we continue with our phased in re-opening, we will continue to review the possibilities for more service to the public. Should you need to access WiFi or use a computer, please book a visit at the Main Library or McCormick Branch.
Why is the McCormick Branch only open on Tuesdays and Saturdays?
We are happy to be able to provide WPL To Go pick-up service, along with computer/WiFi service, on the two busiest days at the McCormick Branch – Tuesdays and Saturdays. We are able to do so because we can now use the Community Room for both services and are able to move staff from the John M. Harper Branch to the McCormick Branch to assist with the service on those two days. As we continue with our phased in re-opening, we will continue to review the possibilities for more service to the public.
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