How to use the library

On the left side you can see hands pointing at the MPL's library card and on the right side small house icons. In the middle there's an arrow pointing at the houses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. How to sign up to the library?
  2. How many media can be borrowed at one time?
  3. Is it possible to increase the limit of borrowed books or other media?
  4. How to log in to the reader online account?
  5. Can I order a book online?
  6. Can I postpone the return date of the book?
  7. What are the consequences of not returning the media on time?
  8. How to regulate financial arrears towards Municipal Public Library of Wroclaw (hereinafter referred to as MPL)?
  9. What to do if I lose a book?
  10. What should I do if I lose my reader card?
  11. Can I return books in any branch of the MPL?
  12. Can I order a book from any branch and it will be delivered to the facility where I am enrolled?
  13. When is the online catalogue available? 

Re 1. How to sign up to the library? 

When signing up to the library, the applicant should:

1) Polish citizens – submit personal identity card or another document with a photograph and personal identification number (PESEL), fill out the commitment card and having familiarized with the Regulations, sign it.

2) Citizens of other countries – submit passport or another document with a photograph, fill out the commitment card and having familiarized with the Regulations, sign it.

Re 2. How many media can be borrowed at one time?

In a single MPL branch one may borrow the following number of media during one visit:

  1. books, audiobooks, 1 e-book reader, foreign language learning materials – 5 pieces altogether.
  2. films, CDs, educational multimedia programs, PC games, 1 board game – 5 pieces altogether.

If you use the library services of several branches, you can borrow 15 library units at a time.

Re 3. Is it possible to increase the limit of borrowed books or other media?

The limit of borrowed books or other media is specified in the MPL Regulations and cannot be increased.

Re 4. How to log in to the reader online account?

On the homepage of the MPL (www.biblioteka.wroc.pl) select ZALOGUJ SIE (LOG IN), situated on the right of the logo at the top of the page. A window will appear in which two fields should be completed:
Library card number or URBANCARD number
Password – the default password is the first 6 digits of the PESEL number. After logging in, we recommend changing the default password.

After logging in, you can check your account status by clicking on each option:  
Wypożyczenia (Loans) – status of current loans (dates of loans and returns, recent extensions and extension limits),
Zamówienia (Orders) – status of your orders (“Zarezerwowany (Ordered)” status means that the order should be picked up at the library on the indicated date)
Kary i opłaty (Penalties and fees) – charges for overdue books,
Blokady (Account blockades) – e.g. due to debt collection activities or a decision of the MPL Director
Dane osobowe (Personal data) – you can change the correspondence address or/and enter your email address (necessary data for sending information, such as retention reminders).

Re 5. Can I order a book online?

You can only order books that are currently borrowed or ordered by other readers and only in the branches where the account has been activated.

An account can only be activated by a librarian. This can be done by phone or during a visit to any MPL computerized branch. The librarian will activate the account in every computerized branch indicated by the reader of the branch. Only copies with the status “Outside the library” can be ordered
CAUTION! Ordered books (status “Zarezerwowane/Reserved) may be collected by the reader within 7 days. Other ordered media may be collected in 5 days.

Re 6. Can I postpone the return date of a book?

The reader may postpone the deadline for returning borrowed media independently via the website or via a librarian, if there is no demand from other readers and the deadline for their return has not expired: a) books – all extensions up to 30 days from the statutory return date, b) movies, music compacts, multimedia, computer and board games – all extensions up to a maximum of 5 days from the statutory return date.

Re 7. What are the consequences of not returning the media on time?

For overdue books and other media, the library charges fees in the amount of:
a) books (including audiobooks) – PLN 0.20 per book for each day after the return date,
b) films, music compacts, educational multimedia programs, PC and board games, e-book readers – PLN 2.00 from each medium for each day after the return date.

If the reader does not return the borrowed media within the period specified in the Regulations, MPL will block his account. Until the liabilities towards the MPL are settled, the reader’s account is blocked, and in addition, in the event of non-payment of fees under the titles indicated in point 4
MPL directs the case to recovery proceedings.

Re 8. How to regulate financial arrears towards Municipal Public Library of Wroclaw?

Please pay financial liabilities towards MPL by making payments to the following bank accounts:
Cases transferred to the debt collection company ALEKTUM:
25 1020 5226 0000 6102 0416 0685
Cases brought to court:
27 1020 5226 0000 6702 0416 0743.
In other cases, directly at branches or through payments to the account:
20 1020 5226 0000 6302 0416 0677.

Settlement with MPL should start with returning the held media. Until the borrowed media are returned, the penalty increases!
In special situations, the reader may submit a written request to reduce or divide the debt into instalments to the Director of the Municipal Public Library in Wroclaw, located at Staff 98 street.

Re 9. What to do if I lose a book?

The reader may, with the consent of the branch manager, buy back a lost (or damaged) book or other medium, pay for it or provide another one of equal value.

Re 10. What should I do in the event of the loss of reader card?

Losing a reader card should be reported to the librarian as soon as possible to block the account. The account will be unlocked after buying a new card (PLN 10).

Re 11. Can I return books in any branch of the MPL?

Books and other media should be returned only to the branch where they were borrowed.

Re 12. Can I order a book from any branch and it will be delivered to the facility where I am registered?

You can borrow a book or other medium only from the branch where the collections are located.

Re 13. When is the online catalogue available?

The online catalogue is available every day from 4:00 a.m. to 12 a.m. It is closed from 12:00 a.m. to 4.00 a.m. due to archiving.

See also: MPL regulations