Books by Mail

Books by Mail

A free service for patrons who are unable to visit the library

The Grand Rapids Public Library offers a free Books By Mail Program to those who are homebound due to illness, disability, or old age. Residents of the city of Grand Rapids may participate. The Books By Mail Program provides participants with:

– Delivery to your door or mailbox
– Many current titles and authors, including some in large-print format
– A selection of books-on-CD
– Easy, postage-free return

To qualify for this service you must be a resident of the City of Grand Rapids and unable to come to the library or any of its branches because of illness, disability or old age. This service is only available to patrons 18 years or older.

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Books by Mail Request

Book Recommendations

Snowed In?

The weather outside is frightful. But if you're snowed in with nothing to read, we've got you covered!

Staff Picks: Contemporary Love Stories in Large Print

Check out these GRPL Staff favorite contemporary love stories, which range from cozy meet-cutes to magical realism. Available in Large Print

A Morsel of Murder

Cozy culinary mysteries on audio.

FAQs

  • To access your account, you will need your library card and password. When you get a library card, the password is set to the last four digits of your phone number. If you do not remember your password, contact Customer Service or call 616.988.5400 and ask to have your password reset.

    Once you have logged in, you can change your password, view your record, place a hold, renew an item, give yourself a username or pay fines. You can also sign up to be notified by email and text message when your holds are ready or you have an item overdue.

  • Parking is free at all eight GRPL branches and for all library events. 2 hours of free parking in the gated lot next to the Main Library. The Main Library parking lot opens to the public 15 minutes prior to opening. The lot is accessible during library hours.

    Parking rates are $2.00 per half hour during the week, free on weekends and for library events with validated ticket.  On the weekend, parking at the Main Library is free all day with a validated ticket. Bring your parking ticket inside the Main Library to have it validated. 

  • You can check out a total of 100 items on your card at a time!

    Books
    Loan period: 3 weeks (2 renewals)
    Limit: 100 items checked out at once

    Audiobooks and Music CDs
    Loan period: 3 weeks (2 renewals)
    Limit: 25 checked out at once

    DVDs – Feature films, TV shows, nonfiction
    Loan period: 3 weeks (2 renewals)
    Limit: 25 checked out at once

    Hotspots
    Hotspots check out for 6 weeks, with 2 (3 week) renewals if there are not any holds on it.

    Vinyl Records
    Loan period: 3 weeks (2 renewals)
    Limit: 5 items checked out at once

    Portable Record Player
    Loan period: 3 weeks  (0 renewals)
    Limit: 1 

    Board Games
    Loan period: 3 weeks  (2 renewals)
    Limit: 5

    Video Games
    Loan period: 3 weeks  (2 renewals)
    Limit: 5

  • Absolutely! You can borrow materials from Kent District Library, the Lakeland Library Cooperative (LakeNet), and through MeLCat. Here’s how:

    Kent District Library

    You can also use your Grand Rapids Public Library card to check out material from the Kent District Library. If the item you are looking for is available, you may go to the owning library to pick up the item. You may place a hold on some Kent District Library materials. You will need to pick up and return the item at a KDL location. To choose a KDL pick up location, contact their Service Center at 616.784.2007.

    Lakeland Library Cooperative (LakeNet)
    If the item you are looking for is available at a participating library, you may visit the location and check out materials with your GRPL card. You cannot place holds on items owned by other Lakeland libraries. Return your Lakeland material to the same location where you checked it out.

    MeLCat

    MeLCat provides access to libraries across the state, including university libraries. If you find the book you need in MeLCat, it will be delivered to the GRPL location of your choice. MeLCat will notify you by email when your requested item is in. MeLCat services are only for books. Children 12 and under cannot use MeLCat to borrow materials.

  • No! GRPL is open to everyone. Stop by and enjoy our spaces, free events, and materials while you’re onsite. We look forward to welcoming you.

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