How to Get a Library Account and Card

Library Cards

Lending Policies

How to Get a Library Account and Card


We establish library accounts and issue barcoded library cards to Mid-Hudson Library System residents who provide photo ID and proof of local address. We establish accounts with more limited privileges for non-residents of the Mid-Hudson Library System.


Patrons may either apply for an account online HERE or at the library.


By filling out the online form, you will be given a temporary library card number which will be activated once library staff has verified your information. To complete the registration and receive a permanent account, you will need to provide proof of ID and local address to the library. An account will be made permanent and a card will be issued when the patron visits the library within 30 days with a photo ID and proof of local residence.


If you can’t find your library card or your library card has expired, please contact the library by phone at (518) 325-4101 or email director@roejanlibrary.org and we will be happy to help.

Patrons registering at the library must fill out an application and present a photo ID and proof of local address.

Children under the age of 18 must have a parent sign the registration card acknowledging responsibility for any lost or damaged items.

Click HERE for more details.


Replacing a Card

The first library card is free. The cost of replacing a lost or stolen card is two dollars ($2.00).

Expired Accounts

If your account is expired, ask at the circulation desk to have it reinstated. They will ask you to verify your address and contact information. You don’t need a new card.


PINs

To access your account, use the catalog to request items, or to set up accounts some electronic resources, you will be asked to enter the barcode number on your library card and a PIN. If you haven’t used the system before you can create a PIN by going to the My Account page and clicking on “Forget Your PIN?” Please make note of the pin number you enter and enter it carefully, as this will be the number you will use for future logins. Staff and volunteers do not have access to your PIN, but you can ask for their help in creating one when at the library.

All library materials circulate free of charge. Patrons should make every effort to return library materials on or before the due date.  Patrons may borrow physical items only during scheduled library days and hours.   

Loan Periods:

  • Books, long-loan DVDs (TV shows, other DVDs with 3 or more discs), VHS tapes, audio books, music CDs, and miscellaneous items, such as cake pans, puzzles, binoculars, circulate for 3 weeks.

  • Periodicals, most DVDs (1 or 2 discs), and mobile hotspots circulate for one week.

  • Museum passes circulate for 1 day. Most passes can be reserved online and printed out at home. For physical passes, if a pass is not in use, it may be picked up at the end of the work day on the day prior to the reservation. All physical passes must be returned by opening time the day following the reservation. 

The director may establish a different loan period for special collections, materials that are temporarily in great demand, such as for student projects, or materials that are in a new format.

There is no limit on the number of items a patron can borrow at one time.

Renewals:

  • All materials that do not have a waiting list for them, except museum passes and equipment (cakes pans, etc.), may be renewed once. 

  • Items that can be renewed will automatically renew. Mobile hotspots must be renewed in person. Patrons who have selected e-mail as their notification preference will receive a notice three days prior to the due date indicating what materials will be renewed and their new due date and of materials not renewed.

System Holds:

  • Patrons can borrow materials from any Mid-Hudson Library System library. Patrons may locate materials in the online catalog and request them over the Internet or at the library.

  •  Patrons will be notified by e-e-mail or telephone when a hold is ready for pickup.  Items will be held for 1 week for pick-up. Items not picked up in that period will be returned to the owning library.

Roeliff Jansen Community Library lending rules will apply to any materials checked out at our location.

Inter-Library Loan (ILL):

  • We will try to obtain books not available in our system through Inter-Library Loan. There may be a small fee charged by the lending library.

  • Inter-library Loan books will be due on the date set by the lending library.

  • The lending library will determine if items are eligible for renewal.

  • Inter-Library Loan items must be returned promptly when due to retain borrowing privileges.

Fines and Fees:

  • The Roeliff Jansen Community Library does not charge overdue fees for most items—exceptions being physical museum passes, mobile hotspots,  and Inter-Library Loan items.

  • Museum passes incur a fine of $5/day, with a maximum of $25.

  • Mobile hotspots incur a fine of $1/day, with a maximum fine of $100. See hotspot lending policy.

  • Inter-Library Loan items incur a fine of 10₵/day, with a maximum of $5.

  • Patrons will receive an overdue notice when an item is 14 days or more overdue.

  • Patrons are responsible for the full replacement cost of lost or damaged items. Patrons will be billed for replacement costs once an items is 28 days overdue.

  • Borrowing privileges will be suspended if any item is 14 days overdue or if patron owes fees of $10.00 or more. Fees may be paid online.

E-Resources:

Patrons have access to a variety of e-resources, including e-books and audio books, streaming movies, e-magazines, and databases. Patrons can create accounts with their library cards. Some resources are shared resources, available to all Mid-Hudson Library System card holders, other to Columbia County residents, and still others may be restricted to the patrons of individual libraries. Loan periods vary by resource type.

Approved by the Board of Trustees, November 12, 2019; effective January 1, 2020

Lost Your Library Card?

No problem. Call us at 518-325-4101 for assistance.

Don’t remember your pin? Click here, and use “Forgot Your Pin?” to reset your pin number.

What If My Card Has Expired?

If you find that your library card isn’t working, then it may have expired. The good news is, you don’t need to register for a new account. All you have to do is contact the library and one of our staff will renew your card for you.

Are You New to the Mid-Hudson Library System?

If you don’t have a card and meet our eligibility requirements, you can apply by using our online form. Your submission will later be reviewed for eligibility and duplication.