Borrowing

Apply for a Library Card

A Canton Public Library card is the best card you can get for free access to countless educational, business, and entertainment resources! With this card, you can:

  • Check out books, DVDs, video games, music CDs, audiobooks, and magazines
  • Access numerous online resources, such as e-books, e-magazines, music, audiobooks, movies, online classes, and databases
  • Place holds on available and checked out items
  • Request items from other Michigan libraries

Library cards are available to residents of Canton, MI, and those who work or attend school in Canton. Present a valid driver's license or Michigan ID card, paystub, or current school ID/report card at the Checkout Desk. Canton residents can apply online for a card.

Note: Non-residents can purchase Canton Public Library Card(s) for $140* annually per family.
* Canton's average annual household tax contribution for library services.

To learn more about checking out items from our collection, please view our Circulation Policy and Borrowing Schedule.

Borrowing Schedule

For full details, view our borrowing schedule. Generally:

  • Books and most other materials: 3 weeks
  • DVDs and special items: 1 week

If you have a fine/fee/bill on your account, you can pay at the Checkout Desk with cash, check, or credit/debit card or pay online by signing in to your Patron Record. If you have $20 or more in fines/fees/bills, your account will be blocked. If you have a balance of $35 and/or have material 45 days past due, your balance will be sent to collections. A non-refundable collection fee will also be added to your account.

Holds

How to put a book (or other material) on hold

Patrons with a Canton or Plymouth library card can remotely, or in person, request specific items from our collection. When the material is ready for pickup, you will be notified via email or phone, according to your preference. Hold items are held for 5 days after becoming available.

 

After receiving a notification that requested material(s) are available, there are two options for picking up these materials:

1. Hold Shelf in the library

Available any time the library is open to the public.

After locating your item(s) on our Hold Shelf, check them out at a self-check station or at the Check Out desk.

2. Curbside
Schedule
To use the curbside service:
  • Put your items on hold.
  • We will notify you when your items are ready.
  • Follow the link in the notification to schedule a curbside appointment.
  • When you arrive, park in one of the designated spots, and call the number on the sign.
  • Your items will be brought directly to you in your vehicle!

Curbside service is available by appointment during the following hours:

  • Monday-Thursday: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM
  • Friday-Saturday: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
  • Sunday: 1:00-5:00 PM

There are designated curbside parking spots in the east lot (the parking lot to the left as you drive in, or to the right as you exit the building). Upon your arrival at the library, park in one of the designated curbside parking spots and call the number on the sign to notify us of your arrival.

While you wait for your materials to be brought out, please open your trunk or rear window. A staff member will place the materials inside an open window, or in your trunk and then close it.

Returns are not accepted at curbside.

Renewal Options

Your items will renew two days before their due date, granting you another loan period (3 weeks or 1 week, generally) from your original due date so you will not lose any days with your items as a part of this automatic process. Your courtesy notice email will alert you if an item has been automatically renewed, and will include the new due date.

To manually renew:

  • Online: Check the boxes, then press "renew selected"
  • 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).

Text Message Alerts

Stay up-to-date on your account with the library's Shoutbomb text messaging service. You can:

  • Get alerts about holds, items due soon, and overdue items
  • Renew eligible items via text message
  • Continue to receive your standard email or telephone notice as usual

Sign up for Shoutbomb by texting the word signup to 833-568-7876 or filling out this form. Canton Public Library does not charge for this service, but your mobile plan's regular text messaging rates apply.

Other Libraries

Reciprocal Borrowing: Your Canton Public Library card works at many local libraries, and residents of other TLN communities may use their local library cards at Canton (some restrictions apply). Bring the library card issued to you at your home library along with valid photo ID to be entered into our system.

Interlibrary Loan

MeL Logo The fastest, easiest way to request a book from another library is through MeLCat. You may wish to contact us for harder-to-find items. More information can be found at our Interlibrary Loan Page.