Based on feedback from our community, we’re changing how Experience Passes are borrowed. Beginning in 2027, Experience Passes will no longer be available through holds and will instead be available using a browse-and-borrow model at the library. This change aligns with how our neighbouring libraries handle experience passes, and provides patrons with greater flexibility to borrow passes when they’re ready to use them. See a list of FAQs below:
Summer 2026: Newmarket Library purchases additional popular Experience Passes and makes them available on an in-person Browse-and-Borrow basis;
September 8, 2026: Patrons currently beyond position 50 in an Experience Pass holds queue will be removed from this queue, to allow the remaining holds requests to be fulfilled before the transition.
September – December 2026: Experience Passes will slowly transition from a Holds model to Browse and Borrow model as holds are phased out across the collection. Patrons remaining on the Holds list will have the opportunity for their hold to be fulfilled during this time.
Winter 2027: All Experience Passes move to a browse-and-borrow model and will no longer be available through holds. The borrowing period for Experience passes will change from seven days to five days to improve availability and circulation
These items are incredibly popular, with some having queues of over 400 patrons. We know that this has meant a significant wait for most patrons, with some waiting over a year for their pass to become available. We also know that patrons sign up for the queue, only for the pass to become available at an inopportune time for them. Each week, a handful of passes aren’t picked up, further extending the wait time for those in the queue.
We recognize that some patrons have been waiting a long time for a pass and may be disappointed by this change. We did not make this decision lightly. After reviewing usage patterns, wait times, and community feedback, we believe this new model will provide more equitable and timely access to Experience Passes for the greatest number of patrons.
If you have a hold on an Experience Pass and are between positions 1 and 50 in the queue, you will have an opportunity to have your hold fulfilled. All patrons who are after position 50 will be removed from the queue list, but can still come into the library to access the Experience Passes that are available on a Browse and Borrow basis.
Yes. Patrons can only have one Experience Pass checked out at a time, but you are welcome to stay on the Holds queue if you'd like to borrow one that is available at the library.
You are welcome to contact the library to confirm your place in the holds queue.
By September 8th, all patrons who are over 50 in the queue will be removed. If that is the case for you, you will no longer see the Experience Pass on your Holds List.
You can see a full list of Experience Passes in our catalgoue. By clicking on the relevant item, you'll be able to see whether the item is "Available" or "Out."
You are also welcome to call the library to confirm: 905-953-5110.
We invite you to come by the library to browse the Experience Passes we have available.
