Email Notification

Frequently asked questions about email notification

How do I sign up for email notification?

Sign into your account and go to My Settings.
Under Account Information select Email Address. Add or update your email address.
If an email address was added or updated, check your email inbox for a confirmation message and follow the instructions to confirm your email address.
In My Settings, go to Contact Preference.
Select Email in the drop down menu.

Check the box in Library News to receive additional updates from the Library, including upcoming events, new titles and more (optional).
Click Save Changes.

How do I update my email address?

Sign into your account and go to My Settings.
Select Email Address.
Enter your new email address.
Click Save Changes.
Check your email inbox for a confirmation message and follow instructions to confirm your email address.

When can I expect to receive email notifications?

Hold pickup notices are sent the day after holds arrive at the pickup branch. If you pick up your hold the same day it arrives, you will not receive a notice for that item. Digital hold notifications (eBooks and eAudiobooks) are sent when the item is available for download.
Due date reminder notices are sent 2 days before items are due.
Overdue notices are sent 5 days after the due date of checked-out items. If items have still not been returned 10 days after the due date, you will receive a second overdue notice. A third notice will be sent out 20 days after the due date.
Card expiry reminder notices are sent 30 days before your card is set to expire. If your card is not renewed, you will receive a second reminder 1 day after your card expires. A third notice will be sent out 6 months after your card expiry date.
What's On at the Library eNewsletter (optional) is sent bi-weekly.

Can I change the timing of my notifications?: No. We're hoping the timing of the due date reminders (2 days before the due date) will work well for most users. We welcome feedback about this.

Can I opt out of due date reminders?: No. Since beginning to offer due date reminders in 2013, most people have indicated that they are happy to receive this additional communication to remind them to return their library materials on time.

All the members of my family have library cards. Can we all use the same email address?: Yes. You will need to go into the Contact Preference for each person's account and make sure they are signed up for email notification. You will get separate emails for each family member.

Can I have my notifications go to more than one email address?: No. You can only have one email address associated with your account. If you want your notifications sent to an additional address, set up a forwarding rule in your email program.

Does this affect my eBook and eAudiobook notifications?: Notifications for eBook and eAudiobook holds are managed through the Digital Notification Email. Your digital notification email can be the same as or different from the email address in your account.

How will the library use my email address?: Your email address will be used to send you notices about holds that are ready for pick up, overdue notices, due date reminders and service updates from the Library. You must opt in if you wish to receive our What's On at the Library eNewsletter.
The Toronto Public Library complies with the spirit, principles and intent of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). More information on how the library protects your privacy.

I already receive the What's On at the Library eNewsletter. Do I need to update my preferences in my account?: If you receive the eNewsletter at the same email address that you use for account notifications, you do not need to do anything. If you receive the eNewsletter at a different email address, you can continue to do so, or check the box in your account to have all library communications sent to one address.

I'm not receiving my email notifications. What should I do?

Check your email address in Email Address in My Settings.
- Is your email address correct?
- Have you confirmed your email address? If you have not, a Resend Confirmation link or a message will display indicating that your email address still needs to be confirmed.

Check your email account.
- Are the emails going into your junk mail folder?
  - Add notifications@torontopubliclibrary.ca to your email program's contact list to make sure the library is treated as a safe sender.
  - Are you using Gmail? Emails from Toronto Public Library may be going into the Promotions tab in your Gmail inbox.

If the above suggestions don't help, contact us so we can make sure your account settings are correct.

I signed up for email notification, but I'm still getting telephone notification.

Check your Contact Preference in My Settings to make sure you have selected Email as your preference.
Make sure you have confirmed your email address. If you have not, a Resend Confirmation link or a message will display indicating that your email address still needs to be confirmed. Until your email address has been confirmed, you will receive telephone notifications.

I changed my email address and now I am getting telephone notification. Why?: When you change your email address, you need to confirm the new address. The Email Address section in your account will tell you if your email address still needs to be confirmed. Until your email address has been confirmed, you will receive telephone notifications.

I received a due date reminder for an item I have already returned.: Due date reminder notices are generated after branches have closed for the night. If you return an item in the drop box on the evening of the third day before the due date, it may not get checked in until the next day, and a reminder notice will still go out the next morning.
You can always check My Account to verify the current status of your checked-out materials. If a returned item is still showing as checked-out in your account, contact your branch for help.