Library Cards, Fines and Fees

Library Cards

All adults and children who live, work, attend school or own property in the Chappaqua School District are eligible for a free Westchester Library System (WLS) card from the Chappaqua Library. With a Chappaqua Library card, you may borrow materials from all 38 WLS Libraries plus Westchester County Community College. To obtain a Chappaqua Library Card you may register online [link to online form] or bring a photo I.D. and proof of address (driver’s license, utility bill, etc.) to the circulation desk. Parents should bring their children to the library to register in person. The library card is good for three years and may be renewed.

Your Responsibility

A library card is a financial responsibility. You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your or your child's library card. Library resources are shared resources. Please note there is a 75-item limit on a Chappaqua library card. Loan periods and fine schedules are designed to encourage fair and equal access to available resources for all library users. Your responsibility to the library community includes the timely payment of all fines, replacement costs, or damage fees for items you borrow but do not renew or return on time and in good condition. Failure to fulfill financial obligations will result in the loss of library privileges.

You must advise the circulation desk of any changes in your name, address, or phone number. Please report lost cards immediately.

Forgotten Cards

In order to check out library materials without a library card or card number, you must present some form of photo ID with your current name and address. You must have your library barcode number to access your library record over the phone, whether to place a hold, renew items, or for any other reason.

Reserves

You may reserve items electronically in the library, at home through our website, or by calling the Reference Desk at 914-238-4779, ext. 2. You will need your library barcode number. You will receive notification via phone, email or text when your item is available for pickup. Reserve items must be checked out on the same library card that was used to reserve the items. Items will be held for eight days.

Renewals

All items except Rapid Read books and Express items will be automatically renewed once as long as the item is not on reserve for another patron. You may renew by calling TeleCirc at 914 674-4169, by using our website or the WLS app, or by calling 914-238-4779 ext. 5 during business hours. Items may not be renewed more than once. Renewing an item extends the loan period from the date of renewal (not the original due date). Renewals must be completed by 10 pm to be valid for that day. Always review your due dates to make sure your renewal was successful.

NYS Privacy Law

“Library records, which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries and library systems of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use of audio-visual materials, films or records, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.” This means you will need your library card number to transact business by phone. If you are picking up items or transacting business for a friend or family member, you will need their library card number to do so. No exceptions.

TeleCirc

Patrons may call TeleCirc at 914-674-4169 to renew materials, check on fines, or cancel a hold. Enter your library barcode number and PIN number (default is the last four digits of your phone number) and follow the prompts.

Loan Periods and Overdue Fines

Loan periods and overdue fines vary by item and are summarized on the fine rule table insert. Please note that loan periods and fine rules are subject to change by the Director or designee and are NOT uniform across all county libraries. Loan periods and fine rules are based on the library where the item is checked out. The Board of Trustees will review the fine rule table annually. The library may impose borrowing limits at any time for popular items (travel books, school assignments, etc.).

Long Overdue Items

Items overdue for more than 30 days are billed as “lost”. The replacement cost will be the actual price listed in the WLS database. When an item is billed for replacement, fines are removed. Because acquisition priorities change over time, the decision to replace an item must take into consideration many factors. Therefore the Chappaqua Library does NOT accept replacement copies of lost items.

Fine Rule Table Insert (subject to change by the Director or designee). Last updated 09/20/2022.

Adopted: 09/22/2022
Revised:
Related: Extended Loan Policy