How do I get a library card?
Bring in a photo ID with your current address (a driver’s license is fine). If your photo ID does not have your current address, please also bring identification of current address. Children under the age of 18 must have a responsible adult sign their registration form.

If you are a nonresident in our library system (Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam, Greene, Columbia Counties), we ask that nonresidents pay a $50 annual fee to get a library card.

Patron records are kept confidential as per New York State Law. If you wish for another to have the right to use your library card to borrow materials or to view your record, you may fill out a confidentiality waiver.

Please note that you are responsible for all items checked out on your card. Call the Library immediately if your card is lost or stolen. Treat your library card like a credit card. Card replacement charge is $2.


What do I need to know about borrowing materials?

Loan Period

New DVDs – 2 weeks
Gaming Materials – 14 days
Library of Things – 14 days
All other materials – 21 days

Fines

We no longer have fines for overdue materials.

General Rules

  • Patrons need to be able to prove their identity. Showing us your library card is the easiest way to do this. This assures that the correct record is used during checkout, which protects you from being charged for a mistake.
  • After a patron owes more than ten dollars in fines or overdue charges, he/she will not be able to borrow any more materials until the charges are paid for.
  • It is the borrower’s responsibility to check the contents/condition of all materials upon checkout.
  • Lost or damaged materials will be charged a replacement fee. West Hurley Library Books or DVDs may be replaced with an exact copy. Please contact us before purchasing a replacement copy to verify the replacement is acceptable.

How do I request an item through the online catalog?
Items from within the 66 public library in the system may be reserved in our online catalog and delivered to the West Hurley Library for pickup. You may select to be notified by phone or email. Items are held for five business days. Help information about borrowing information through the online catalog

Can I get materials from other libraries?
Items from within the system may be reserved in our online catalog and delivered to the West Hurley Library for pickup. You may select to be notified by phone or email. Items are held for five business days.

If you would like to request an item that is not available in our library system, please fill out one of the postcards available at the front desk. Staff will review and get back to you.


How do I make a request that an item be removed from the library shelves?
If an informal request with Library staff does not resolve your issue, you may fill out a Reevaluation Form (View Reevaluation Form). The item will then be reviewed by the library director and the library board.

What can I NOT do in the library?
    1. Smoke, use foul language, or be loud and boisterous. Be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
    2. Harass other library patrons or staff. This includes touching, speaking, acting in a menacing way, or intruding in another’s space.
    3. Solicit or post materials without permission
    4. Deliberately alter or destroy computer equipment or software.
    5. Vandalize, steal, or destroy any library equipment or building components.
    6. Demonstrate offensive body odor due to poor personal hygiene or wear overpowering fragrances.
    7. Eat or drink in the library unless given permission by staff.
    8. Listen to audio without headphones.
    9. Wear no shoes or dress inappropriately.
    10. Bring an animal into the library unless the animal is assisting the handicapped.

Depending on the violation, patron privileges may be suspended or law enforcement may be contacted. If you have a problem with another patron, please ask staff for help.


What are the rules regarding supervising children in the library?
    1. Children under the age of 7 may not be left unattended at the Library. They must be accompanied by a person 13 years of age or older.
    2. Children ages 8-17 who behave in accordance with the patron conduct policy may remain in the library without the accompaniment of an adult. Parents/guardians will still be responsible for their behavior and will be contacted if behavior is inappropriate.
    3. Parents whose children attend library programs are required to remain in the Library in case the program ends early. Children attending programs can be supervised by library staff only during the program.
    4. Closing Time Procedure:
      1. Parents must pick up their children under the age of eighteen before closing time.
      2. If parents have been contacted and are “ON THE WAY”, staff will remain with the child up to fifteen minutes after closing time. At the staff‘s discretion, parents may be fined $5.00 if they come after closing to pick up their child.
      3. If the child has not been picked up after fifteen minutes, the police will be notified.
      4. If the child has been picked up by the police, a staff member will post a note on the door advising the parent of the circumstances and stating where the parent/guardian can locate the child.
      5. At no time will personnel of the Library drive a child home.

Where can I find out more information about the library?
Every year the library creates an Annual Report to the Community. This document gives an idea of the library accomplishments during the previous year. (View Annual Report).