My Account

Log in to Log In/My RWL to view your current checkouts, holds, and to update your account information.

Reserving Materials (Placing a Hold)

Log on to the online catalogue to place a hold. If you have provided an email address to the library, you will receive an email notice once the item is available. Otherwise, a staff member will contact you by phone. Once the item is available, you have one week to pick up the item. 

Please note: holds cannot be placed on Express Reads or Express DVDs.

Loan periods

These are the standard loan periods for all RWL items. Please ask staff if you need a longer loan period.

• Regular Materials: three weeks
• Express Collections (DVDs, or Reads), Mobile Hotspots, and holiday items: one week
• High Demand Books or DVDs: two weeks
• High Demand Materials (museum or recreation passes): one week
• eBooks, eAudiobooks, Streaming Video: vary between platforms

Renew Materials

All regular materials with no holds will automatically be renewed for you up to three times. You may also use the Log In/My RWL feature of the online catalogue, or contact your library branch  to renew your items.

Not all items are available for renewal, including but not limited to:

• Items on hold for other library members
• Hotspots
• Video Game Kits and Bundles
• Express Reads and DVDs

Returning Materials

Most items can be dropped off in the return box at any RWL branch.

The following items must be returned inside the library:

• Games
• Hotspots
• Video game kits and bundles
• Specialty kits

Digital materials, like eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming video, automatically expire at the end of the loan period and can be deleted from the device.

Overdue Items

As approved by Regional Council, effective January 1, 2022, the Region of Waterloo Library will not charge fines on overdue library materials. All overdue fines charged prior to January 1, 2022, continue to stand under the previous By-law when they were incurred, and therefore remain payable. The ratification was not retroactive

A courtesy reminder will be emailed three days before the due date to those patrons who have provided a valid email address. Items which are eligible for automatic renewal will be renewed the day after their due date.

For items not eligible for renewal, a first overdue notice will be issued after fourteen days past the due date, either by email or by phone call from the branch.

If items are not returned, a second overdue notice will be issued by email or mailed letter after 28 days past the due date.  

If items are still not returned, a final overdue notice will be issued by mailed letter at 45 days past the due date indicating that items are now classified as lost. At this point, patrons will be billed for the full replacement cost of each overdue item, plus a $5 administration fee per item. Administration fees do not apply to lost or damaged magazines. If payment is not received promptly, patron accounts will be sent to a Collection Agency.

Library privileges are suspended at $15 for all borrowers.

Returning the item in good condition cancels the replacement cost, but any administration fees and Collection Agency fees currently on record will still apply.

All outstanding charges must be paid before a membership is renewed. Payment can be made at any library branch  by cash or cheque.

Collection Agency 

Note: Collection Agency procedures resume April 4, 2022

All patrons owing $25 or more for more than 60 days will be referred to a Collection Agency.  A $15 referral fee will be charged to the patron’s account. If payment is still not received, this may affect credit ratings. If needed, please contact your library branch to discuss a payment plan

Lost or Damaged Items

Patrons must pay the replacement cost plus a $5 administration fee for each lost or damaged library item.

The library will refund the replacement cost of lost items found and returned in good condition within 12 months, along with proof of payment. Overdue charges incurred prior to January 1, 2022 are non-refundable. Administration fees as well as Collection Agency fees are also non-refundable.