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OCPL Borrower Information, Policies & FAQs
These policies apply to OCPL Central and
city libraries only.
Policies at suburban member libraries
may vary.
You need a current driver's license with photograph OR two forms of identification with your name and current address, one of which includes your signature. Frequently used types of identification include: current driver's license, automobile registration, National Grid or telephone bill, tax receipt, sheriff's identification, school or college identification card, or bus pass with address. If you do not have acceptable identification, ask our staff about our "Identification Postals" which can be mailed to you to verify your name, address and signature. For information about library cards for children, class visits, temporary residents, or non-residents, ask at your local library or call (315) 435-1904.
You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your card. Parents and guardians of minors are responsible for materials borrowed on their children’s cards. Change of address or lost or stolen cards must be reported immediately to the library because materials borrowed on an unreported lost or stolen card remain the responsibility of the cardholder.
An Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) card may be used at the Central Library downtown, at eight branch and two satellite libraries in Syracuse, and at 21 independent suburban libraries in Onondaga County.
Most materials are loaned for 3 weeks or 7 days; some special materials, like Interlibrary Loan and holiday books, may have different loan periods. Your receipt, issued when you borrow materials, indicates the return dates.
To renew materials, you may telephone or visit any OCPL city or suburban library, with or without the materials in hand. (Special restrictions apply to the renewal of Interlibrary Loan materials.) By telephone, you will need your library card number. If you need to discuss specific titles, you will also need your PIN (Personal Identification Number). In person, you need your library card or another form of acceptable identification. If there is no other request for the title, the materials will be renewed. There is a limit of two renewals on most library materials.
You may also renew online by accessing the library catalog and selecting My Account. You will need your library card number and PIN.
Most library materials borrowed from one OCPL library may be returned to any other OCPL library in Onondaga County. Information on exceptions—some media, equipment, and all Interlibrary Loan materials—is posted where applicable. Bookdrops may be used for the return of printed materials, videos, DVDs, and audiobooks, but are not recommended for CDs and other sound recordings.
Each item returned after the due date will be subject to a per day charge capped as follows:
Magazines - 25¢ / max $5
Paperbacks - 25¢ / max $5
Hardcover books, recordings, CDs, DVDs, and videos - 25¢ / max $10
Children's Material - 10¢ / max $5
OCPL sends overdue notices but no bills for fines and charges. Borrowers will be charged the cost of replacing lost or damaged items. The schedule of charges for lost or damaged materials is available at the Central Library and all city branches. Charges for Interlibrary Loan materials are determined by the owning library.
Cards of borrowers who owe more than $4.99 in fines or fees or who have long-overdue
materials are not valid until charges are paid or materials returned.
The OCPL System has engaged Unique Management Services (UMS) to collect fines and fees resulting from overdue library materials that total $50.00 or more. A service charge of $10 is applied to each account submitted for collection. The Central Library and city branch libraries allow the use of credit cards for payment of their fines and fees.
Information on the status of any card is available upon request to the cardholder only. New York State confidentiality law requires that such requests be made in person only and only upon presentation of appropriate ID. Parents and legal guardians of children under 8 years of age may request information about their children’s cards. After a child’s 8th birthday, the parent or guardian may request information about a child’s library card records only if the child is present and consents to the release or if the child is not present but provides written consent dated for each request.
With your library card number and your own PIN (Personal Identification Number), you may access information online about your library account. Click on Catalog and select My Account. You will see a complete list of all items checked out on your card and their due dates. You’ll see if you have any late items, fines owed, or reserved materials waiting for you. Please provide OCPL with your e-mail address so that you can be notified of hold information and overdue notices.
Last updated January 28, 2010