FAQs

LIBRARY CARD
BOOK & THINGS
AUDIO BOOKS
DOWNLOADABLE AUDIO BOOKS or E-AUDIO BOOKS
VIDEO & DVD
NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES
YOUR LIBRARY@HOME
COMPUTERS AT THE LIBRARY
PROGRAMS & MEETING ROOMS
KIDS
OTHER
GOVERNANCE

Why should I get a library card?

If you’re the type of person who can’t live without knowing that there’s a stack of books somewhere in your house waiting for you, the answer is pretty obvious. Your local public library is a cost-attractive alternative to constantly buying books. If, on the other hand, you’re not a big reader, we still have lots of wonderful options; DVDs, audio books (which are great for commuters), magazines, large-print books and downloadable books. Even if you don’t read for fun, you may find that you need to refer to a book from time to time; car repair, diet, health, exercise, hanging wallpaper are a few things that may bring you to our doors. And finally, through your library card, you have access to many databases: For example, foreign language, school and professional testing, genealogy, full-text newspapers and magazines, such as the NY Times and Consumer Reports. This is all information that isn’t found on the Internet!TOP

How do I get a library card?

You are eligible for a library card in the Mid-Hudson Library System if you have proof of local residency. A driver’s license with your current local address is good. If you’ve just moved to the area and your driver’s license has your old address, bring along a bill or some other document showing your current address.TOP

How old does my child have to be to get a library card?

Your child can get his or her own library card once enrolled in kindergarten. He doesn’t have to be able to sign his name or read. As the parent, you will be responsible for anything your minor child takes out should it get damaged or lost.TOP

Does my library card expire?

Your card “expires” every three years, at which time we’ll ask for verification of your address and phone number and any other personal information you shared when getting your card initially. This is done so that our database of patrons stays current as people move and change phone numbers and email addresses. Once we update the information, you’re good for another three years. Your card and its unique number do not need to be changed.TOP

If I have a library card from one Mid-Hudson library, can I use it at another?

Yes. All 67 member libraries of the Mid-Hudson Library System work cooperatively to bring you the best library service possible. You can use your East Fishkill library card at any Mid-Hudson library and you can order books and other materials online from any Mid-Hudson library. The only thing that may be denied to you is access to a database that is purchased by one library for its own patrons. This is generally due to licensing considerations.TOP

How many libraries are in the Mid-Hudson system?

There are 67 libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System spread over five counties; Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, Greene and Ulster. Each library is chartered by the Division of Library Development which is part of the Department of Regents. Each library is run by its own local board of trustees and creates its own policies and procedures.TOP

Why do you ask me for my email address when I apply for a library card?

If you reserve books and other library materials or have overdue books, email is the most cost-effective way to notify you. We can also send you newsletters by email (which, of course, you can opt out of). You aren’t required to give your email address however, and we can contact you by telephone or US mail should you prefer.TOP

Do you share or sell any of my personal information?

Never. All of the information that you provide when applying for a library card is kept by the library for library use only. We never share or sell your information.TOP

Do you have key chain cards?

Yes. When you receive your library card, you actually get two cards; one for your wallet and one for your keychain. We often recommend that you keep one near your home computer to make it easier to log on to your account and databases.TOP

Will you send me a reminder when my books are due?

Our computer system will send you a courtesy notice three days before your books are due if you are signed up for email notification. However, there is an even better alternative. You can sign up for Library Elf. Elf is a free service, not associated with the library or the company that makes our computer system. When you join you input your library card number and Elf automatically accesses our database and sends you an email message when your items are due. You can also get your message sent as a text to your phone or an RSS update. Elf will keep track of multiple cards and you can customize the frequency of the notifications. Elf will also send you notifications when your holds are ready.TOP

For how long can I borrow a book?

Most books can be borrowed for three weeks and renewed once for an additional three weeks if there are no holds. Some books, Rapid Read, can be borrowed for one week. Reserves and renewals are not allowed on Rapid Read.TOP

I’m going away for the summer – can I still take out books from the library?

If you’ll be out of town during the summer for an extended period, you can still take free reading material with you. Books that are older than 6 months are eligible for Summer Loan. Sorry, but no media and no school summer reading.TOP

What else, besides books, can I borrow?

Magazines, audio books on cassette, audio books on CD, DVDs, music CDs, Playaways and large print books are all available for borrowing. Additionally, you can access databases from home and download audio books and video from home.TOP

How many books can I take out at a time?

There’s no limit to the number of books or other materials that you can take out at any given time. We ask that you take good care of them and return them on time to avoid overdue fees and replacement fines. If you are taking books out for a school-age child’s report, we will ask you to limit your choices to two books per topic. This is to allow other children who may also need the books for school work to have a chance of finding something on the shelves. Remember, you can also place reserves on books in other libraries in the Mid-Hudson service area.TOP

Can I renew my books?

Anything you borrow from the library may be renewed once as long as there are no reserves on that item. The renewal period is identical to the initial borrowing period, so if it’s a DVD that is borrowed for one week, the renewal period is also one week.TOP

Can I renew my books more than once?

One renewal is the limit at the East Fishkill Library. For a standard book, that will give you six weeks. After the renewal period is over, the book has to come back to the library for at least 24 hours before it goes out to the same patron again. This is allows library resources to be available to everyone on an equitable basis.TOP

Can I renew online?

Yes. Just go to “Log Into My Record” from the online catalog and you can renew items once if no one else has placed a reserve on that item.TOP

How get I get a book that you don’t have in your collection?

You can place a reserve on almost any item in the catalog. If we don’t own it, one of the libraries that does will send it to us and we’ll contact you when it gets here.TOP

How do I reserve books from home?

You can reserve books, DVDs, music, audio books and more from home. Go to “Log Into My Record” from the online catalog and follow the instructions. You won’t be able to place a hold if you owe more than $10 in fines, however, you can pay online using a credit card. This will clear your record and allow you to place your hold. If you dispute the charge, please contact the library.TOP

Can I reserve magazines from home?

Unfortunately, no; you can’t place a reserve on a specific magazine issue from home. However, you can ask a librarian to do that for you. If you’re looking for a specific article, you can check the databases to see if the full text or image is available online.TOP

Can I be notified by email?

You can choose to be notified by email, snail mail or phone. Just let us know your preference or, you can log into your account and change the notification preference yourself.TOP

How can I look up new books?

You can create very specific searches by using “Advanced Search”. Instructions are available by clicking the “Help” button on the first page of the catalog under the top banner on the right side. Then choose “Searching” or “Advanced Search Tips”. The search feature of the catalog is a very powerful tool and it takes some practice to master it. If you run into any problems, call us and we’ll help you.TOP

How can I look up new DVDs?

At the moment, we have no button to execute a search on new DVDs. However, if you follow these instructions, you can do it yourself. In the box to “Type Words” put in an asterisk. From the pull down menu on material type, choose “DVD”. If you only want DVDs from East Fishkill, choose East Fishkill from the pull down menu called “Location.” Type 2007 in the box that’s labeled “Year; After”. Hit the submit button.TOP

My child is doing a school report – is there a limit to the number of books I can take out for this?

Yes. We ask that children doing school reports limit their books to two per topic. This is to allow all of the other children working on reports and homework to have the opportunity to find books on the shelves. If you need more than two, don’t forget that you can place reserves for books in other Mid-Hudson libraries.TOP

If I call for information about my account, do I need my card?

In order to protect your privacy, we will always ask you for your library card number if you call us about something on your account. We take your privacy very seriously and go to great lengths to protect your right to read anything without anyone else knowing specifics. This even extends to your family members.TOP

Does the library have a book drop? If so, when is it open and what can I put in it?

The East Fishkill Community Library has a drive-up book drop in front of the old entrance. The book drop is always open because we understand that sometimes you just need to get your errands done as quickly and conveniently as possible. Every type of library material can be deposited into the book drop, including materials from other Mid-Hudson libraries.TOP

When do you empty the book drop?

We empty the book drop twice every morning; once before we open and then again immediately after we open. We always back date the return. So for example, if your book is due Wednesday and you return it in the book drop on Wednesday, it will be on time even though we don’t check your book back in until Thursday morning. Everything that we check in from the book drop on Thursday morning is back dated to Wednesday.TOP

What is Rapid Read?

We buy duplicate copies of the newest best sellers with the longest reserves list and put them out on to the shelves as Rapid Read; no reserves, no renewals, no waiting.TOP

Do I have to return books at the library I took them out from?

No – you can return any materials from any library in the Mid-Hudson Library System to any other library in the system.TOP

Do you accept donations of books?

We love getting book donations. We accept fiction and non-fiction, adult and children’s, books, DVDs and CDs in good condition. We ask that you do not bring any condensed books, text books, encyclopedias or magazines. Also, we ask that the books you donate be in good to excellent condition – no handwritten notes in the margins and so forth Please bring them into the library whenever we’re open. Due to the lack of sorting space, we request that you bring in one bag or box at a time.TOP

What do you do with book donations?

We look for additions to our collection and replacements for some of the more popular books that get worn out. Everything else goes into our book sale. We sell donated and discarded items all year from our Book Nook and hold one big book sale each year. TOP

Can I get books in languages other than English?

East Fishkill Community Library doesn’t carry books in other languages, except for foreign language dictionaries and tutorials, however, by using the “Advanced Search” feature in the catalog you can limit your search to specific languages. You can then place a reserve on the items that interest you.TOP

If I return books late, is there a fine?

Most libraries charge a daily fine if your item is returned after the due date. The amount of the fine may vary from library to library. If the item is just a few days late and you know that you can’t make it to the library for a few more days, the best thing to do is to renew the item (assuming that you haven’t already renewed it.) While this won’t make the fines go away, it will keep more from accruing. If you can’t renew the item, return it as soon as possible. Remember, at East Fishkill, our book drop is always open, so if you’re short on time you don’t even have to leave your car. Just drive up and drop the item in.TOP

I found a really overdue book when I was cleaning and I’m afraid to return it because the fines will be too high.

We cap all of our fines. If you’ve located a book that’s really overdue, you won’t owe more than $10 in fines. If your total fines are more than you can pay at once, talk to us. We can arrange a payback structure that you can fit into your budget.TOP

What should I do if I lose a book?

Let us know as soon as possible that you may have lost or damaged a book. If it’s lost, we’ll extend the due date to give you additional time to try to locate it. If it turns up, you’ll only owe the library the overdue fine amount, if there is any. Once a book is lost, we will ask you to pay for it as well as some additional processing fees.TOP

What if I damage a book?

If you damage a book our first approach will be to see if we can repair it. If not, we’ll ask you to pay for the book as well as some additional processing fees.TOP

Do you carry audio books?

We carry audio books in three different formats: on cassette, CD and dedicated MP3 player. We are no longer adding new cassette purchases.TOP

Are the audio books abridged?

All of our audio books are unabridged with every word that the author and publisher included. Some people only want to use an audio book in their car for a short trip and in those cases, we can recommend some excellent titles that are short and still unabridged.TOP

How many audio books can I take out at a time?

Just like with books, we do not limit the number of audio books you can take out at one time.TOP

How long can I take audio books out for?

You can take an audio book home for three weeks.TOP

Can I renew audio books?

Audio books can be renewed once for three weeks.TOP

Can I request audio books from other libraries?

Yes. Audio books can be requested from other libraries just as ordinary print books are.TOP

What should I do if I lose or damage an audio book?

Just as with books, if an audio book becomes damaged or lost while in your care, we’ll ask you to pay for it. Most audio books are very expensive, however we can usually get a replacement for a single cassette or CD which are priced very moderately. If the entire audio book is lost or destroyed, we’ll do our best to work out an arrangement with you.TOP

What are Playaways?

Playaways are very small dedicated MP3 players which come preloaded with one book. They are light, portable and very easy to use. They have speed and volume controls and come with a lanyard so that you can wear them around your neck while you shop, walk or do housework.TOP

Do you carry Playaways?

Yes, the Library has a collection of Playaways, adult, teen and children’s in fiction and non-fiction.TOP

Can I use Playaways in my car?

Playways have a universal jack so that you can use an adapter which will allow you to play the Playaway over the car speakers.TOP

Can I download audio books?

You can download audio books onto your home computer. You can then either listen to the books on your computer or transfer the audio file to an MP3 player. You can download two titles at a time and place holds on two other titles. TOP

How long can I keep the e-audio book?

The e-audio book file will be good for 7 or 14 days - you choose! TOP

How many e-audio books can I download at one time?

You can have 2 e-audio books at on your account at any given time. TOP

Do I need my library card to download an audio book?

Yes, you need to have a valid library card in order to access the downloadable audio books. TOP

How do I set up an account to download audio books?

We are in the process of changing vendors. New instructions will be posted when the new vendor, Overdrive, is in place.TOP

What should I do if I have trouble downloading or accessing my e-Audio Book?

New troublshooting instructions will be posted when the new vendor is up and running.TOP

Will an e-Audio Book show on my library card account?

No, your audio downloads do not show up on your library card account. You have a separate account with Overdrive that is only for e-audiobook downloads. All of your e-audiobooks that are currently “checked-out” to you show only on that account. Library employees have no way of accessing your NetLibrary/Recorded Books account information.TOP

What do you mean by “video”?

By video, we mean any moving picture format. As technology changes, the moving picture may be recorded on a laser video disc, a DVd or a blue ray or some other format that we don’t know about yet.TOP

Which video formats do you have in your collection?

We have VHS and DVD collections in Adult, Teen and Children’s. We’ve stopped adding to the VHS collection as this format has been replaced by newer DVD formats. We’re waiting before purchasing newer formats such as blu ray, until there’s a demand from our patrons.TOP

How many can I take out at a time?

There is no limit to the number of VHS or DVDs that you can check out at a time.TOP

Can I renew videos?

Yes. VHS and DVD may be checked out for one week and renewed once for one week if there are no holds. Children’s VHSs may be checked out for three weeks.TOP

Do you have educational videos?

Yes. The educational videos are organized by subject and may be found in the VHS/DVD collections.TOP

Do you have TV series on video?

Yes. We have quite a few TV series in DVD format. TOP

What should I do if I lose or damage a video?

Please notify us as soon as possible. We inspect each DVD when it’s returned to us and then again when we check it out to you. If the DVD is irreparably damaged we will ask you to pay for it as well as the costs to cover supplies and handling.TOP

Can I download videos from your website?

No. We currently do not have any downloadable videio content. TOP

Can I request videos from another library?

Just about every type of item can be requested from another Mid Hudson library. The procedure is identical to place holds for books and can be done in person, by phone or by remote computer.
Go to “Log Into My Record” from the online catalog and follow the instructions. You won’t be able to place a hold if you owe more than $10 in fines, however, you can pay online using a credit card. This will clear your record and allow you to place your hold. If you dispute the charge, please contact the library.TOP

Does the library have newspapers and magazines?

The library subscribes to numerous local and national newspapers and magazines. In addition, we subscribe to databases with full text and PDF articles that you can access online from inside or outside of the library.TOP

Can I take newspapers and magazines out?

Newspapers and the current issue of each magazine are for in library use only. Once a new magazine issue has been received, you can take the back issues home.TOP

How long can I take magazines out for?

Back issues of magazines can be checked out for one week and renewed for one week.TOP

Do you have children’s magazines?

The library has lots of adult, teen and children’s magazines.TOP

Can I renew magazines?

Yes. Magazines can be renewed once for one week. But don’t forget that there are thousands of articles available online and they are free.TOP

Can I request a magazine from another library?

Yes. However, because of some of the complexities of dealing with such enormous volume, magazine requests must be placed by library employees. Just let us know which issues you want and we’ll place the holds for you.TOP

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