At the Library FAQs

  • General Questions

    Having a safe and sanitary children's area of the library is at the forefront of librarians' minds. Cleaning regimes may be difficult to notice by the public, as these procedures often happen outside of public view.  So how does CPL keep the children's area clean?  Here are our cleaning protocols:

    • General cleaning: The children's area (and the entire library) are serviced by our night-time maintenance crew, who dust and disinfect all desktops and other hard surfaces, mop hard floors with disinfectant, and vacuum carpeting every evening. Our daytime library staff also spot clean as needed throughout the day, and the night-time crew follows up on any matters that need extra attention. Furniture may be removed from public use if it has suffered an unfortunate accident, until it can be cleaned and is once again user-ready.
    • Manipulatives: Like our countertops and other hard surfaces, these wall-mounted items are also cleaned on a nightly basis.
    • Puppets: Our puppets are misted with isopropyl alcohol (an antibacterial liquid) each time they are returned to the library.  Additionally, our puppets are sent out to be sanitized three times a year.
    • Storytime Kits and Youth Kits: We monitor these items when returned and clean as needed.
    • Storytime and ABC Time toys: We only use plastic and other hard items that are easily disinfected after each session.

    For those occasional incidents that merit it, we have bio-hazard tools ready to bring out at a moment's notice to handle "tossed cookies" and similar issues.

    CPL wants everyone to enjoy a clean and germ-free library, and we hope that our patrons contribute to this environment by engaging in safe and hygienic behaviors during their library visits.

    Yes! You will need to bring your own device and headphones. We have Wi-Fi and 17 first-come, first-serve study rooms in our eastern wing. The study booths in the Children’s section and Teen space are also excellent locations to conduct a Zoom meeting. Please use your headphones and keep your voice to a moderate conversation level.

    When in doubt, check the noise zone map to make sure you are in an area that is ok. Learn more about the zones here.

    If you've registered for a program with a Grab & Go kit, you can come into the library to collect your kit. Kits are held on a designated shelf next to the Holds, past the self-checkouts on the right as you enter the library. Grab & Go kits are held for you up to the date of the program.

    Yes! During the school year we have Family Storytime for ages 0 - 5, Baby Storytime for ages 0 – 24 months, and Preschool Storytime for ages 3 ½ - 5. In the Summer we have Wings of Wonder Storytimes for ages 0-5. Some storytimes are drop-in, and others require registration.

    Check out our Programs page to find upcoming storytimes and more information. If no sessions are listed, there are currently no open sessions.

    There are five multifunction printers available at the library, two in the Self Service Center near the self-checkout stations, one by WebExpress, one in the Teen Space and one in the Children's Library. You can use these machines to scan, fax, print or copy documents. Need help? We are happy to assist.

    There's no charge for scanning or faxing, but to print or copy, we recommend purchasing a copy card. A reusable copy card costs $1 and starts out with $.50 of credit. You can recharge the card with $1 bills. Payment in lieu of a copy card is also accepted at each service desk.

    • Black and white printing and copies cost $.10 per side, or $.20 for a double-sided page.
    • Color printing and copies cost $.50 per side.
    • The cost is the same for letter (8.5 x 11) and legal size (8.5 x 14) print outs and copies

    You can also print wirelessly from your own device. Click this link to find out how.

    CPL has multiple areas with computers for public use. A library card is not required.

    Public computers are filtered per Michigan State law. Please note:

    • The six computers in WebExpress marked with green tape across the top of the monitor are restricted to 18-years-and-older by law because they provide unfiltered web access.
    • Public computers will only store your working files until the end of the day. Be sure to save your files to a USB flash drive or web storage.

    Free Wi-Fi,  electrical outlets, and USB charging outlets are also available throughout the building. Three stations with spare monitors, HDMI cords, and multiple outlets (for use like docking stations) are available for use in the Teen Space.

    Internet connections provided by the library are unsecured and unencrypted; use at your own risk.

    Use of our Wi-Fi or public computers implies your acceptance of the Acceptable Use provisions of our Computing Resources Policy when you connect to the cpl network.

    Because the library is a public place, it is not wise for children to be left unattended. For this reason, per library policy:

    • Children, ages 7 and under, must be with a caregiver, age 13 or over, at all times
    • Children, ages 8 –12, a caregiver, age 13 or over, must be in the library with them
    • Children, age 13 and older may be at the library without a caregiver’s supervision

    Parents/guardians/caregivers are responsible for their child’s behavior, safety, and welfare while on library grounds regardless of age.

    All unattended minors must be picked up at least ten minutes before closing time. If a minor is left after closing time or if a child under the age of 13 is left unattended at the library, the police may be called.

    The best way to learn about the events, books, and other things you love from CPL is to sign up for our e-mail newsletters.

    There is also a listing of upcoming events on the CPL homepage and a filterable list on the Programs page. 

    In the library, we display upcoming events on the screen in the Self Service Center, list events on the whiteboard in the Children's Library, and are happy to answer questions at the Information Desk.

    Applications may be dropped off at the library, mailed, or emailed. The Meeting Room section has more information.

    Study rooms are not reservable.

    The library has 17 first-come, first-served study rooms. They may not be reserved.

    It depends what area of the library you're in.

    • If you are in a Silent Zone (Red): No conversation; no sound audible to others.
    • If you are in a Quiet Zone (Yellow): Whispered conversation; no audio easily heard by others.
    • If you are in a Social Zone (Green): Moderate conversation levels; no audio easily heard by others. Considerate cell phone use is permitted.

    Check your zone here.

    According to Canton Public Library policy, tones should not rise above the general level of conversation in any area. In all areas of the library, patrons should refrain from producing or allowing any loud, unreasonable, or disturbing noises that interfere with other patrons’ use of the library or which can be reasonably expected to disturb other persons, including those from electronic, entertainment, and communication devices such as cell phones, headphones, tablets, laptops, and radios.

    There are two multi-stall restrooms accessible via the lobby, one men's and one women's.

    There are also two single-stall family restrooms in the children's library, to the right of the entrance, behind the fiction area.

    We have four vending machines in the lobby area - two with snacks, two with drinks - all of which accept debit, credit or cash.

    You are also welcome to bring in food, or order food delivered to the library while you are here. Cooking or preparation of food is not permissible.

    If you order food, ask your delivery person to meet you at the front lobby. We cannot receive or hold delivered food at the desk.