Borrow items from Montréal libraries

Want to borrow an item or return it to the library? Suggest a purchase? Report a lost or damaged item? Here is how.

On this page:

Borrow an item

Your library card allows you to borrow up to 40 items at a time: novels, nonfiction books, comic books, manga, audiobooks, and language learning materials. 

Limits apply to certain types of items, including sports equipment, video games, musical instruments, and museum passes. Please check with your library. 

To borrow an item, visit one of the libraries in the network or access the online digital library. 

The loan period is 21 days, or 28 days during the summer (from early June to late September). However, certain types of documents or items may have a different loan period, such as 7 days. 

If you cannot find the book or item you wish to borrow, please ask a staff member. It may be available at another library in the network and can be delivered to your library upon request. This service is not available for all items.

Responsibilities

You are responsible for borrowed items until you return them to the library. You are also responsible for items borrowed by your child aged 13 or under.

Return an item

You can return your items to any Montréal library of your choice, regardless of where they were borrowed. Return your items at the service counter or slide them into the outdoor chute. Exceptions may apply. 

La Grande Bibliothèque (BAnQ) is not part of Montréal’s network of libraries. However, it accepts returns of items borrowed from the network, except for: 

  • Audiovisual materials: DVDs, Blu-ray CDs, vinyl records, audio books, video games, and language learning materials with CDs 
  • Items borrowed through the interlibrary loan service 
  • Very large items

Request the purchase of a document

At the library 

Is a book or other item you would like to borrow not part of the collections? You can ask the libraries to purchase it. 

Some suggestions may not be accepted, including titles published very recently (less than 3 months ago), self-published works, and items that do not align with the network’s collection development policy. 

Possible purchases 

  • Books 
  • E-books 
  • Films (DVD, Blu-ray) 
  • Video games 
  • CDs 

Online  

 French-language e-books: pretnumerique.ca platform 

 English-language e-books: Libby app

Report a lost or damaged item

You must visit one of the libraries in the network to pay the fee. 

Lost item: 

  • Cost of the item, plus a $5 administrative fee 
  • Lost companion item (CD, DVD, card, booklet, etc.): $2 
  • Lost sleeve or case: $2 

Damaged item: 

  • Disposal required: Cost of the document, plus a $5 administrative fee 
  • Moderate damage: $7 
  • Minor damage: $2 

Other exceptions may apply.

Last updated September 4, 2026