The Board of Trustees of the White Plains Public Library is dedicated to establishing policies that make the Library’s resources available to the broadest number of cardholders for borrowing. Library cards are required of all patrons who wish to borrow materials.
Persons who live or own property in White Plains may apply for a White Plains Library Card. Two forms of ID, one with the person’s name and current address, are required. Persons who own property in White Plains but do not live in White Plains must provide proof of property ownership to get a card. The White Plains card is honored at all Westchester public libraries and at the Westchester Community College Library.
Persons who live outside of Westchester County, but work or go to school in White Plains, may apply for a White Plains Library card. Two forms of ID are required at sign up, one with the person’s name and current address, and one with a current White Plains work or school address.
For persons who live, work, go to school, or own property elsewhere in Westchester County:
Library cards from other Westchester County libraries are honored at White Plains;
Others may obtain a 30-day temporary registration. White Plains will send the application to the home library for processing. Two forms of ID are required, one with the person’s name and current address, and one as proof that the person lives, works, goes to school or owns property in Westchester County.
Guest privileges are available to those residing temporarily in White Plains. Guest borrowers are limited to three items. Persons who do not live, work, go to school or own property in Westchester County may purchase a card from the Westchester Library System (WLS) for an annual registration fee. Application forms are available at our Checkout desk, which must be sent directly to WLS with payment. The card will be mailed directly from WLS and is honored at all Westchester public libraries. Non-resident registration is valid for one year.
Library cards expire every three years. Two forms of ID, one with the person’s name and current address, are required to renew the card. If a patron forgets their card, a photo ID is required to borrow materials, preferably a driver’s license or other government-issued ID.
Patrons are responsible for materials borrowed. Patrons should report lost cards immediately. Library privileges may be suspended until the borrower meets financial obligations, or if library materials are overdue.
Patrons may borrow only on their own cards. Patrons may not use another person’s card, even that of an immediate family member.
Late item fines vary based on the type of item borrowed, as follows:
| Fines | Per Day | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Museum Passes | $10.00 | cost of pass |
| Hotspots | $50.00 | $100.00 |
| Laptop/Hotspot Bundles | $50.00 | $500.00 |
Overdue fines are assessed for museum passes, laptops, and hotspots. Patrons will still be responsible for the cost of lost items in any format (books, CDs, DVDs, etc). Replacement copies will not be accepted for lost items.
Any material borrowed from White Plains Public Library will not incur a fine, no matter where it is returned, and any material returned to White Plains Public Library, wherever it originated, will also not be fined. This applies to White Plains Public Library card holders as well as card holders from other Westchester Library System member libraries.
Patrons may request reconsideration of fines by completing a Circulation Report, available from the check out desk or online. Patrons should attach any supporting information such as overdue notices, date due slips, etc. to the form to support their explanation or concerns. Library privileges may be suspended as a result of repeated violation of these and/or other Library policies.
Patrons will receive a copy of the Borrower’s Guidelines at the time of registration, which provides a list of fines and other relevant circulation procedures.
Adopted by the White Plains Library Board of Trustees on 9/8/21.
PDF Version:Circulation Policy.pdf
