Working & Meeting Space & Zoom Room
The library is a casual place to meet, have a conversation, or dig into some work, with comfortable seating areas and tables in both branches for leisure reading or studying. Both branches offer meeting rooms that accommodate approx. 40 people.
The Almonte Large Meeting Room is available for public bookings on the following days:
- Mondays 5 pm -9 pm
- Tuesdays 10 am- 9 pm
- Saturdays 2 pm – 9 pm
- NOTE: not available during July & August (the room is used by summer camps)
The Pakenham Meeting Room is available for public bookings.
Rental rates: non-profit $10 per hour, individual/business $25 per hour
Almonte branch also has a small meeting room / “zoom room” for 4-6 people – where video conferencing is available. To reserve a time, call 613-256-1037 or ask at the front desk for registration and details.
Computers, Internet, Printing, Scanning & 3D printing
Public-access computers with MS Office at both branches. Printing & Photocopying costs 15 cents/side for black & white and 50 cents/side for colour. FREE scanning of documents or from USB and send via email.
Free WiFi is available for those who’d like to bring their own laptop, tablet, cell phone, or other smart device.
A literacy station computer for young children is at each branch. Chromebooks are available for patrons to borrow. The library has a 3D printer. 3D Printer Training is required before using the printer. Sign up for a 3D print lesson at our programs page – or get on the waiting list if all appointments are full. Use of the 3D printer & lessons are FREE of charge with a library card.
Senior Services
The library offers a number of services of particular interest to seniors.
Free Tech Tutoring – free one-on-one technology support in person, email or by phone
Contact-free pick up – allows residents to place holds and get material without having to browse the collections
Visiting Library Service and CELA – library materials delivered to your home. CELA provides materials in formats that people with print disabilities can read.
Makerspace & Digitization Lab
The Makerspace is located at Pakenham branch. Info here: www.missmillslibrary.com/makerspace/
The Digitization Lab (user Guidelines here) – also at Pakenham branch – allows users to transfer “old” media records to new digital files. The lab has all the tools & instructions. Preserve your memories! At the lab, you can:
- scan photos, slides & film negatives
- convert VHS to DVD and other conversions
- edit videos and images
- record audio & video clips
Access these tools free of charge. All digital conversions run in “real time.” Example: a 2 hour VHS movie takes 2 hours to convert to DVD. Bring your own USB drive or blank DVD for storage. Blank DVDs with cases are available for $2 each. Email the library with questions.
Visiting Library Service (VLS)
If you or someone you know needs Visiting Library Services, please contact Judi at vls@missmillslibrary.com.
VLS is available to people in the community unable to visit the library due to an illness, restricted mobility, or a physical, developmental or visual disability. Library staff arrange to have books delivered directly to an individual’s home and picked up too. More info here.
Centre for Equitable Library Access
CELA provides public libraries with alternative format collections for library patrons with print disabilities. Community members sign up for public library service at their local public library and, if eligible, are introduced to CELA collections. For more information, inquire at the library.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
ILL service is available at Almonte and Pakenham branches. ILL offers patrons the ability to request physical materials that our branches do not carry. If a requested item is available via ILL, it arrives at MMPL for use by the requesting patron. A librarian contacts the patron when the requested ILL material arrives.
A patron can have three (3) active ILL items at time. Requests for material published within the past 12 months are not accepted. ILL requests can take up to 3 weeks to arrive and are generally loaned for a one month period.
To place an ILL request, please use this form – we need name, library card#, title, author etc.
*Exciting option for bookclubs*
MMPL & Perth and District Union Public Library have a reciprocal borrowing agreement. MMPL patrons can apply for a FREE library card from the Perth library, then reserve & borrow Perth library sets! Perth library patrons can borrow sets at MMPL too.
Bookclub sets
MMPL has 45 Bookclub Sets (most with 10 copies). The MMPL NEW online booking system for bookclub sets is quite straightforward, with a clear form to fill out to make your booking, using your library card and PIN number. Please call the Almonte branch (613-256-1037) or drop by if you’d like a tutorial on the online booking system, ask for Rob or Jill. Or go ahead on your own to view & reserve bookclub sets here!
How does it work?
One member of a bookclub reserves the set, picks it up from the library when it’s ready, distributes books to members, and collects books from all members before returning the complete set to the library. A tracking sheet is included with each set to help the bookclub track the copies in the bag.
Who can borrow a Bookclub Set?
Bookclub Sets are borrowed by any book club member with a valid MMPL library card*.
Can Bookclub Sets be reserved in advance?
Yes, please use the online booking system, or phone the Almonte branch if you need assistance.
How long can I keep a bookclub set?
Sets are checked our for 5 weeks. So choose the start date of your reservation, and then the system sets the end date 5 weeks from the start.
Can Bookclub Sets be renewed?
No, sets can not be renewed.
What type of sets does MMPL have?
The sets in the booking system are marked as fiction (most of the sets are adult fiction), non-fiction, junior fiction (4 sets).
Donating or sponsoring a bookclub set
MMPL welcomes donations of bookclub sets (at least 8 copies of the title are needed, all in good condition) – but we prefer when bookclubs sponsor a set of 10 copies ($250 to sponsor a set). If a club sponsors a set, the club may select the title and dedication plates may be added if desired. MMPL can also suggest a few possible titles for a club to consider sponsoring – just ask for some suggestions! MMPL adds approximately 5 new sets annually, purchased by the library, but more can be added when clubs sponsor & donate. Please email Jill, if you’d like to discuss donating or sponsoring a set or suggesting a new title for a new MMPL book club set – thanks!