Markham Public Library (MPL) is a library system operated by the municipal government of the City of Markham in Canada. There are eight branches in the city, serving about 250,000 residents in Markham.[9] The libraries are managed by the Administration Centre, located at 6031 Highway 7.
In 2008, the system was renamed to the singular Markham Public Library to reflect its status as one unified system. Its current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Catherine Biss.
History
While the current library system dates back to the 1970s, there was the subscription based system popular in 19th Century Ontario, the Mechanics’ Institute, operated out of the Old Town Hall on Main Street.
Branches
The Markham Public Library has 8 branches.
The Markham Public Library branches are:
Opened in 2012 and has a medical library on second floor. Markham Stouffville Hospital Library open to all user including patients and staff from Markham Stouffville Hospital. Houses Health and Wellness collection.
Built after 1977 when Markham Fair moved from the location. Library re-opened with larger premises 2009; site of the Agricultural Hall rink (c.1916) and original home of the Markham Fairgrounds.
Opened in 1984 replacing older library and now Old Unionville Library Community Centre.
Customer-Centred Classification
Customer-Centred Classification.
The Markham Village branch was the first to develop its own library classification system called the Customer Centred Classification (C3).[12] Compared to the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) or Library of Congress Classification (LCC), C3 is more modern and is supposed to be easier for library patrons to find books at the book stacks. All branches utilize the C3 cataloguing system for their non-fiction collection. The Thornhill Village branch started the migration to C3 in 2009, and C3 is used by the Thornhill Community Centre branch when it re-opened in 2011.[13]
Membership
People who work, live, or attend a school in York Region may apply for a free membership. Otherwise, a $60.00 annual membership fee will apply.[14]
Services
Like many other libraries across Ontario, the Markham Public Library system allows members to check out books and other physical and online media. Members can:
Place up to 75 holds per one membership account;
Check out 100 physical items per one membership account;
One hour internet access per day per membership account (additional time can be requested - guest logins are available for those without a library card)
