Ride to Read
Ride to Read
Free bus passes to and from the Library!
Getting to the library has never been easier.
Ride to Read gives you a free round-trip pass on The Rapid bus just for using the library.
How it works:
1. Visit any GRPL location and read, use our computers or WiFi, attend a program, study, or borrow books, movies, and music.
2. Show your GRPL library card or ID at a GRPL service desk to get a Ride to Read pass. Forgot your ID? No problem. Anyone can use Ride to Read.
3. Scan the Ride to Read pass on any Rapid bus line to go home or to school.
4. Use the second ride on the pass to come back to the library
Sponsors
Special thanks to the Grand Rapids Public Library Foundation for their support of this program.
FAQs
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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.
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Parking is free at all eight GRPL branches and for all library events. At the Main Library, two hours of free parking is available during the week in the lot next to the library. Parking rates during the week cost $1.10 per half hour after the first two hours.
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.
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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 onceAudiobooks and Music CDs
Loan period: 3 weeks (2 renewals)
Limit: 25 checked out at onceDVDs – Feature films, TV shows, nonfiction
Loan period: 3 weeks (2 renewals)
Limit: 25 checked out at onceHotspots
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 oncePortable Record Player
Loan period: 3 weeks (0 renewals)
Limit: 1 -
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.
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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.
