Returning Materials

Can I return items to a different library from the one where I borrowed them?

Yes! You can return most items to any Toronto Public Library branch or bookmobile stop.

Exceptions: the following items must be returned to the same branch you borrowed them from:

  • Book Club Sets
  • Items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan
  • Toronto Reference Library picture collections
  • Arduino Lending Kits
  • Musical Instruments
When will the items I return be removed from my account?

When the library is open: If you return items when the library is open, your items will be scanned and checked in the same day you return them.

When the library is closed: If you return items in the book drop when the library is closed, the items will be checked in on the next open day. We treat these items as if they were returned when the branch was last open.

Example: If your book is due on Saturday and you put it in the drop box after closing time, it may not get scanned until Monday morning - but the checkin date will be Saturday.

After holidays and long weekends: We have a lot of returns to check in after the library has been closed for more than one day. If you return items in the drop box during a holiday closure, you may find it takes a bit longer for them to get checked in and removed from your account on the first open day after the holiday.

Which branches have self-service machines for returning materials?
An item I think I returned still shows on my account. What should I do?

If an item you're sure you returned has not been cleared from your account, please contact staff at the branch where you returned it.

Here's what will happen:

  • Staff will mark the item as "Reported Returned" in our system.
  • The item will appear on a search list. Staff use this list to search every month. Your item will stay on the list until it is found or until 90 days have passed since the date you reported the item returned.
  • If staff find the item, or if another library user checks the item out, it will be removed from your account.
  • If the item is not found after 90 days, it will be considered lost, and a replacement charge will be added to your account.
How do I return eBooks or other downloaded content?

eBooks and other downloaded content expire at the end of the checkout period but some can be returned early.