Borrow and Renew Items FAQs

  • General Questions

    A hold is a request for an item at the library.

    If you are a Canton or Plymouth cardholder and have registered your account online, opens a new window, you can place a “hold” by clicking the green “place hold” button next to the item you want in the catalog. If the item is available, we will get it off the shelf for you and put it on the hold shelf; if it is checked out, placing a hold saves your spot in line.

    We typically pull available holds a few times a day. You can have up to 50 holds at a time, and you can check your place in line by viewing the “on hold” section of your account.

    When your hold is ready for you to pick up, you will get a notification that we have placed it on the hold shelf for you. 

    Held items have not yet been checked out to you, so please remember to check them out at one of the self-checkout stations or the Check Out Desk before leaving the library.

    The loan period depends on the type of material. Most materials will auto-renew up to four times as long as no one else has a hold on the item.

    Books borrowed through MeLCat have a loan period of 28 days. Due dates for your items can be found in your My CPL account. MeL books will auto-renew one time. Most audiovisual items borrowed through MeLCat have a loan period of 14 days; these are not renewable.

    Item Type Item Limit Loan Period Holds

    Allowed

    		 Auto-Renewed
    Book Discussion Kits - 60 days ✔ ✔
    Books, Large Print, Audiobooks, CDs, Nonfiction DVDs, TV Series - 21 days ✔ ✔
    Children's Kits - 21 days ✔ ✔
    Puppets - 21 days ✔ ✔
    DVDs - 7 days ✔ ✔
    eMedia: eBooks, eComics, eAudiobooks  (CPL cardholders only) (varies) 21 days ✔ ✔
    eMedia: Streaming Video (CPL cardholders only) (varies) 3 days - ✔
    Lucky Day Books/CDs 4 total Lucky Day items 7 days - -
    Lucky Day DVDs 4 total Lucky Day items 3 Days - -
    Low Vision Aids 1 21 days ✔ ✔
    Magazines (Back Issues) - 7 days ✔ ✔
    Comics - 7 days ✔ ✔
    Video Games 5 7 days ✔ ✔

    For items borrowed from outside Michigan, the lending library decides how long to loan the items, so the due dates may vary. These do not auto-renew. These will also show in your My CPL account, or give us a call at 734-397-0999 and we would be happy to look up your due date for you.

    We will assess the damage to the item, and if the item is no longer in good enough condition to circulate, you will be charged a fee for replacement. Once paid, the item belongs to you. Damaged items are only held for patron review/pickup for a limited period of time, per our policy.

    Due to cataloging and processing requirements, we typically do not accept replacement items for lost or damaged material. 

    If you get an overdue notice, can’t find the item, and think you may have returned it, ask for a shelf check.

    We always prefer to have items returned, so if an item is overdue and you’re looking for it, call us and we may be able to extend the due date to give you more time to find it. If you left it on a plane, or are otherwise positive it’s lost, please do call us at 734-397-0999 option 3 and let us know. This helps expedite our process for replacing the item so that others may enjoy it.

    We assume materials kept more than 21 days past the due date are lost, and we will bill you for replacement of the materials. If the billed item is returned in good condition, the replacement cost will be waived. If you return an item after it has been billed and sent to collections, we will waive the replacement fee, but you will still owe the non-refundable $10 collections fee. More info on fees can be found here.

    For patrons under 18, the parent or guardian who signed for the card is responsible for the use of the card and any related charges.

    This means at least one copy of the item is on the Lucky Day shelf. You can check out Lucky Day items but you will not be able to place them on hold.

    However, don't give up too soon! Sometimes the library has multiple copies of an item, and based on expected demand puts a few on the Lucky Day shelf and other copies directly into regular circulation. The other copies can still be placed on hold. To see if this is true for the item that you want, click “View details.” In the pop-up the Lucky Day copies will say Lucky Day in the collection column, and the others will list the section where the circulating holdable copies can be found. 

    To place a hold on one of the circulating copies, click the x in the top right-hand corner to exit the “View Details” screen, and click on the item image or title. In the item record, you will be able to select the hold button as you would for any other regular title.

    Lucky Day items are newer highly-popular books, DVDs and occasionally CDs available for immediate check out. We do not allow holds on Lucky Day items for the first three months that we have them to improve your chances of finding these hot titles on the shelf when you visit the library. The Lucky Day shelf is next to the New Book shelf.

    You can check out up to four Lucky Day items at a time. Lucky Day books have a seven day loan period; Lucky Day DVDs have a three day loan period. Lucky Day items do not autorenew.

    Interlibrary loan is the way to borrow books from other libraries with your Canton Public Library card, and for patrons of other libraries to borrow Canton Public Library materials. We do not loan reference material, Lucky Day, or items published within the last 3-6 months in order to prioritize local access to these items.

    Find out more about interlibrary loans here.

    A MAP Pass or Michigan Activity Pass, allows you to use your library card to check out a pass with free or reduced admission to one of Michigan's cultural attractions, museums, state parks or recreation areas.

    To find and check out a pass visit: MiActivityPass.org

  • Borrow

    A Canton Public Library card is required to access our library of streaming movies, music, ebooks, and magazines. These items are only available to Canton residents or purchased card holders.

    You can access Libby and most Hoopla titles straight from the catalog. Look for the item in your preferred format, and either select the link to access it directly or if it's a downloadable title, select the check out button for next steps.

    The library also offers access to Kanopy, for streaming movies, and Alexander Street Press, for a variety of music, both popular and rare. A selection of the available offerings can be accessed via the catalog, or explore these sites directly to see the full offering.

    Need more details on how to use these resources? Check out the links on our Books & Media page for more info.

    If you've browsed the stacks and can't find what you're looking for, it might be checked out to another patron. We may also have it on order and it hasn't arrived yet. Take a look in the library's catalog and explore interlibrary loan to see if the item is available; if you’re not sure how, you can also stop by the Information Desk and we’re happy to take a look for you.

    If you’ve looked in all those places and it’s just not there, then yes, you can suggest a purchase.

    If the item is checked out to someone else, or on order, you can put yourself in the queue by placing a hold on the item if you have a Canton Public Library or Plymouth District Library card. To place a hold, click on the green Place Hold button next to the item in the catalog. If you haven't already logged in to your account, you'll be prompted to do so. You do have to register your account to place a hold.

    Another option: Call us at 734-397-0999 during our hours of operation and a staff person can place the hold for you. When your hold is ready for pickup and checkout, we'll notify you by email or phone, depending on your account notification preferences.

    All the time! Physical items such as books, DVDs, videogames and magazines arrive almost daily at the library. You can browse our website for our newest arrivals. 

    If an item is listed as on order in our online catalog, you can place a hold on it (for Canton and Plymouth District Library card holders) even before it arrives at the library. Digital resources like e-books, streaming audiobooks and movies are also added regularly to our offerings.

    In general, items are returned within a few days of being due. The loan period for an item depends on the type of material, but for most items is 3 weeks.

    Most materials will auto-renew, as long as no one else has a hold on the item. The best way to ensure the item is returned promptly and you get notified is to place a hold on it.

    In addition to getting you in the queue for the item, placing a hold when you want an item also helps us know that there is demand! If something is particularly popular and has lots of holds we may buy additional copies.

    And rest assured, we do follow up with patrons who keep items past their due dates. If a patron has an item more than 10 days overdue, they will be blocked from further borrowing until the item is returned.

    Search our catalog by using the search bar found at the top of every page on the website (if you’re on a mobile device like a phone, click the magnifying glass).

    Once you find the item in the catalog, there are three ways to figure out where it is in the library.

    1. In the catalog search results, each item has a top box with the title and author, and at least one bottom box with a symbol and format description. The words in all caps in the bottom box are the call number. If nothing is in all caps, then the particular item is digital only, so there is not a physical copy in the library. The call number starts with the name of the collection the item is part of, and you can use that and the navigational signs in the library to find your item.
    2. You can also click on the cover image or title to see the item information. From that screen, you can click “Availability by location>” which is above the green “Place hold” button. In the pop-up you can see the collection information and the call number, as well as see how many copies are currently available.
    3. Ask us! Stop by any desk and we are always happy to point you in the right direction.

    If we can’t find the item either, and the catalog says it should be there, we’ll put the item “On Search.” That way, we know to check again in the next couple of days. Sometimes a missing item is being enjoyed by another patron in the library and shows up back on the shelf, but if not, this lets us know it’s missing so that we can decide whether to order another copy.

    CPL receives new materials every week.

    To find new items in the catalog, type New and the type of material you are interested in (for example, New e-books) into the search bar. The search results will automatically filter to show you items in that format which the library has received in the last 6 months.

    You can also filter your search results to see items that are "New at the Library." These filters let you narrow your search results to include only at items received in the last 7, 30, 60 or 90 days if you wish. The filter options show on the left side of the screen on desktop, or can be accessed by clicking the blue "filter results" box at the top left on a mobile device.

    For more tips on finding new stuff, check out this blog post.

    If you’d rather browse the physical collection, we also have a New Arrivals area - between the Information Desk and the Fireplace - and other New sections to make new materials easier to find.

    Physical materials:

    Cardholders may check out an unlimited number of physical books and book discussion kits, DVDs, magazines and comics. 

    Lucky Day items are limited to four items (any mix of formats) at a time per patron. 

    Video Games are limited to five items at a time per patron.

    Low Vision Aids such as Optalec magnifiers are limited to one item at a time per patron.

    E-media:

    Hoopla checkouts are limited to 20 checkouts per card, per month. They also offer BingePasses.

    Kanopy users receive 20 tickets to use; titles will range from one to five tickets. Tickets reset on the first day of the new month.

    Overdrive/Libby checkouts are limited to 10 simultaneous checkouts per card. Magazine checkouts do not count towards your total.

    For more information, learn more about borrowing. 

  • Renew

    You will get a reminder from the library two days before your item is due if you have an email address in your account or if you have opted in to text message alerts. If you have not yet returned the item, you will also get a reminder on the day it is due, and at regular intervals until the item is returned or you are billed for its replacement.

    If you have an item that is 10 days overdue, your borrowing privileges will be blocked until you return the item. We will call you on day 10, in addition to sending you an email, to ensure that you receive the message.

    We assume materials kept more than 21 days past the due date are lost, and we will bill you for replacement of the materials. If the billed item is returned in good condition, the replacement cost will be waived.

    If you have $20 or more in billed items, your account will be blocked. If you have a balance of $35 and you have material 45 days past due, your balance will be sent to collections and a $10 collections fee will be added to the account. If you return an item after it has been billed and sent to collections, we will waive the replacement fee, but you will still owe the non-refundable $10 collections fee.

    For patrons under 18, the parent or guardian who signed for the card is responsible for the use of the card and any related charges.

    After you check out at a self-checkout station or at the Check Out Desk, you have the option to receive a print or email receipt with a list of all the materials you just checked out and corresponding due dates.

    We understand that digital and print receipts can be easily misplaced. If that happens, you can use the dropdown menu in the top right corner of this site and select “Log in/My CPL.” After you’ve logged in, select “Checked Out,” which is under the “My Borrowing” heading. This will display the list of all the items you have checked out, in order based on when they’re due back. From this page, you can also see if anyone has holds on your items, and how many times you’ve renewed the item.

    If you have any questions about your checked-out items, stop by the desk, give us a call, or drop us a line.

    If you receive email notifications, you will receive a courtesy notice with a list of items that have auto-renewed and of items that can't be renewed.

    If you have signed up for our text message service or have set your notification preference as phone, you will receive notice that you have items checked out that are overdue. You can use the Shoutbomb key words to request more information or take action.

    If you have more questions or would like to change your notification preference, please call 734-397-0999, ext 3 and a staff member can assist you.

    Most books, CDs, DVDs, games and magazines may be renewed up to four times if no one else has placed them on hold. These items will auto-renew. Lucky Day items cannot be renewed.

    Books borrowed through MeLCat have a loan period of 28 days. Due dates for your items can be found in your My CPL account. MeL books will auto-renew one time. Most audiovisual items borrowed through MeLCat have a loan period of 14 days; these are not renewable. 

    You do not need to come in to the library to renew your materials. Your items will automatically renew two days before their due date, as long as there are no holds placed on them by other patrons and your account is in good standing. Each automatic renewal grants you another full loan period from your original due date. A Canton Public Library item with no holds will automatically renew four times. 

    You will receive a courtesy notice email to alert you that an item has been automatically renewed. The courtesy notice will include the new due date. You can also confirm your due dates in My Account.

    You may also renew your materials yourself when you choose. If you would like to manually renew items:

    • Online: In your My CPL dashboard, under My Borrowing select Checked Out. Select all in the top left and choose renew all in the bar that pops up at the bottom of your screen, or individually renew by selecting the renew button next to the particular item.
    • By Phone: Call 734-397-0999 (option #3 for Checkout Desk) and a staff member can assist you
    • By Text Message: Sign up for text message alerts. Once you are signed up with your library card, keyword "ra" to 833-568-7876 (the number that sends your alerts) to renew all of your items.  You can also text keyword "MYBOOKS" to check on the status of all your checked out items.

    Be aware that you may not be able to renew an item if other patrons are waiting to borrow it. 

    Books borrowed through MeLCat have a loan period of 28 days. Due dates for your items can be found in your My CPL account. MeL books will auto-renew one time. Most audiovisual items borrowed through MeLCat have a loan period of 14 days; these are not renewable. Items borrowed from libraries outside of Michigan do not auto-renew.

    Need some help? Contact us.

  • Home Pickup and Delivery Service

    If you have other items on the hold shelf on the day an item is to be delivered to you, we will also grab those other items and send them along.

    Your items will be on the Hold Shelf for you until 4:30PM the day before delivery. You are welcome to check them out yourself if it ends up being more convenient for you.

    After you submit the request form, your pickup and/or delivery will be scheduled for the next available upcoming day based on the time you submitted the form. We do not pickup/deliver on days the library is closed.

    Pickups and deliveries occur Tuesdays and Fridays between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The list of planned pickups/deliveries is sent to the courier the day before at 4:30 PM. If you request before that time, you will be scheduled for the next day; if you request after that time, you will be scheduled for the following regular day.

    For example:

    • If you submitted the form before 4:30 PM on a Monday, your pickup will be scheduled for Tuesday.
    • If you submitted the form at or after 4:30 PM on a Monday, your pickup will be scheduled for Friday.

    You will receive a reminder email the day before.

    For pickups, please be sure to have your items packaged, labeled and on your doorstep by 10 AM.

    We are using a courier, Reliable Delivery, who will carry an ID badge. The pickup/delivery person is not a library employee.

    Yes! You can find the pickup request form here. You will need to package items in a sturdy, waterproof package (such as a sealed plastic bag) and print and attach the label from the form.

    There are preprinted copies of the label at the Check Out Desk. Feel free to grab some the next time you are in.

    We set the benchmark for success at 20 deliveries or pickups per delivery day on average by the end of the trial period. If we meet or exceed this benchmark, we will recommend continuing the service. If we do not meet this benchmark, we will discontinue it.

    Some Canton residents are unable to visit the building during our business hours. Others lack transportation. Many people are interested in the convenience of home pickup or delivery, having experienced that service for other items from food and groceries to clothing to pet supplies. Rethinking our services to reflect our community’s changing needs is important for the library to stay relevant.

    You can request pickup or delivery for any reason (including convenience) and you can keep your reasons private. We are excited to see you in the library when you can make it in, and to bring things to you when you can't. 

    The pickup/delivery person will make one courtesy attempt to contact you at the phone number associated with your library card number. If the issue can be resolved over the phone, they will complete the pickup/delivery.

    If they can’t reach you, or the issue can’t be resolved, they will bring your items back to the library and you may pick them up from the Check Out Desk. We will call and/or email you with the reason we are unable to pickup/deliver.

    We can’t pickup/deliver to PO Boxes.

    We will make a courtesy call if we are unable to access your residence. If we are unable to reach you and can’t pickup/deliver, we will make a follow-up call and/or email you to try and resolve the issue.

    Any planned delivery items will be returned to the library and held at the Check Out Desk for you. You are responsible for returning any planned pickup items by their due dates.

    We can’t pickup/deliver to PO Boxes.

    If you forgot, or decided to return items yourself, please give us a call at 734-397-0999 option 3 so we can cancel the pickup.

    If you requested pickup but we don’t see any items on your doorstep, the pickup/delivery person will knock one time and call one time. If we can’t reach you, we will move on to our next stop. You will be responsible for returning the items by their due dates.