Borrowing Procedures
- Library cards are issued without charge to Allegheny County residents and Access participants. The library issues three
kinds of cards: adult unlimited, child unlimited and teacher unlimited.
Adults must present identification, such as a driver's license, that shows name and address.
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult with proper identification. Parents will be responsible
for their child's books and fines. Borrowers 18 years of age and older will be issued adult cards. Teachers can
receive a teachers' cards with proper institutional identification. Pre-school through middle school teachers' cards will
only be issued by the Children's Librarian. High school teachers' cards will only be issued by the Adult Services Librarian.
- Residents outside of Allegheny County can get a free library card if they have a valid library card from a participating
Access PA Library. To get a card, an application is filled out and presented with current photo ID, proof of address and
a library card with the Access PA sticker. The card is valid for one year.
- If a library card with an Access PA sticker cannot be presented, a non-resident card can be issued at a cost of $10 for children under 13 and $30 for everyone 13 and older. An application is filled out and presented with current photo ID, and proof of address. The card is valid for one year.
- Students attending any school of higher education in the county are eligible for free library cards. An application is filled out and presented with current photo ID and proof of local college and/or home address. Student cards are valid for one year from date of issue.
- For those residing out of state and visiting the area for a short time, a temporary card may be issued on a case-by-case basis. If a local address can be supplied, the card is free. If no local address (such as a hotel), a non-resident fee of $10 for children and $30 for adults will be charged. An application is filled out and presented with a current photo ID and either a local address (free card) or payment of the non-resident fee. The card is valid for up to three months.
- You are responsible for the materials that you borrow and for the fines and fees which you incur.
The library encourages library patrons to settle their library cards accounts and pay off all fines and fees in a timely
manner.
Please do not lend your card
to others as you are responsible for its use.
- Report lost or stolen cards immediately. For lost or stolen cards, until the library receives notification, the patron is responsible for
any materials checked out on his or her card number. The charge for replacing lost cards is $5.00.
- Library cards automatically expire every two years and may be renewed with
current identification at no charge.
- Patrons must report change of address or phone number. Library efficiency depends on having users' correct addresses
and phone numbers. Patrons are responsible for overdue fines and fees even if the library is unable to notify them.
- The library issues three basic user cards: adult unlimited, child unlimited and teacher unlimited. Card holders may have
up to 999 items in their library card accounts at one time. Exception: families may borrow up to three books per subject for
each 21 day borrowing cycle from this library during the school year. They may also borrow library items via interlibrary
loan within that same cycle. This is to ensure that all students have access to school course material.
- A receipt is given showing the due date(s) when materials are to be returned. Materials may be renewed once by calling the library, using the automated number, or my account on line. Library card number, your name, and material barcodes will be requested for renewing items.
- Patrons MUST have their library cards with them to check out materials or use the computers.
- Audiovisual materials must be checked out on an adult card.