Show All Answers

1. How many items can I have checked out at one time?

You may have up to 100 items checked out at any time.

2. How many items can I have on hold?

You may have up to 25 unfilled holds on your account. Any holds that are waiting for you on the shelf do not count towards your limit of 25. Also, your holds will stay on the shelf for seven (7) days, so make sure you get them before they're gone!

3. How do I return my materials?

• For drop-offs after library hours, please use the book drops on the north or south sides of the library.
• Please note, due to the high volume of returned items, materials may show on your account for up to a week. If your returned items are still on your account past one week, please contact the library.

4. Where can I find FREE parking?

Library visitors can park in city-operated garages, where the first two hours are free and then $0.75 per hour afterward. The garage closest to the library is the 11 Mile Parking Deck just west of the library. You can enter it via E. Eleven Mile Road.

View the Downtown Royal Oak Parking Guide: www.romi.gov/1316/Parking

5. What are the Express Reads books?

These are duplicate copies of popular titles located in the new book area. You cannot place a hold for any Express Reads books and they circulate for one week only.

6. Where else can I use my Royal Oak Library card?

You may use your card at any of the 50 libraries in the TLN network: TLN Visitors Page. There are also some "standalone" libraries where you can use your card: Baldwin, Bloomfield Township, Canton, Clarkston, Dearborn, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Howell Carnegie, Northfield Township, Orion Township, Pinckney, Plymouth, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak Township, St. Clair County Library, Saline, Southfield, West Bloomfield Township, Westland, and Ypsilanti. We have a reciprocal borrowing agreement with Troy Public Library as well. But wait, there's more! If you ask for a MI Library Card sticker for your card, you have access to even more libraries in Michigan: http://milibrarycard.org/partcipating.html. Please call or visit any of these libraries if you are interested in utilizing these great resources.

In September 2022, ROPL joined the MeLCat Visiting Patron program, adding more than 150 libraries you can visit with your library card. Check out the list at Participating MeLCat Libraries.

7. Do you have eBooks?

The library has several resources for eBooks. With OverDrive, you can borrow and enjoy free eBooks, audiobooks, and more. MeL.org offers an eBook Collection with over 20,000 eBooks available on a variety of topics. Hoopla is an online streaming service offering feature films, documentaries, music albums and audiobooks.

8. Do you have foreign language and ESL books?

From Albanian to Vietnamese we have a foreign language book section for adults as well as for children plus an ESL collection in both print and non-print formats.

9. What programs can I attend?

We offer programs for people of all ages. This Program Calendar link takes you to our calendar which lists all upcoming library events. Most programs are free, but may require registration. Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletters that feature our programs and services!

10. Does the library have information on pre-schools?

The 2023 Royal Oak Area Preschool and Child Care Directory provides information on over 40 area facilities which includes area preschools, child care programs, K-8, educational approaches, special needs programs and specialty programs.

2023 Royal Oak Area Preschool and Child Care Directory (PDF) 

11. What is the Michigan Activity Pass and how can I get one?

The Michigan Activity Pass program is designed to enhance the learning experience for people of all ages by providing reduced cost or complimentary access to arts and cultural organizations across the state of Michigan. Get Passes.

12. Do you have a list of resources for people in crisis?

Where to go for a Helping Hand (PDF)

Oakland County Community Resources (PDF)

13. Do you have back issues of local newspapers?

The Library is pleased to announce the completion of a digitization project that offers thousands of pages of newspapers available to search, view, print and clip with a click of a mouse. Past issues of The Royal Oak Daily Tribune are now available through the Royal Oak Public Library Digital Archive. The digital archive spans over 138 years from 1877 to 2015 and can be accessed HERE.

14. Do you have local history and genealogy resources?

Our Local History Room contains city documents, yearbooks and city directories. In addition we have old phone books and Bresser’s directories as well as the Ancestry Library Edition database (In library Only), and MyHeritage Library Edition. Please call (248) 246-3727 for more information.