Frequently Asked Questions

Getting a library card is easy! You can get a new library card by stopping by the library during business hours and applying in-person. Please be sure to bring identification showing your current address. A new library card can be issued for you in the same day.

 

For your convenience, you can also apply for a library card using our online form. Identification showing your current address is required at pickup. Please note that the library does not mail library cards.

Children must be 5 years old or going into kindergarten to apply for a library card. Come in and apply, meet our Children’s Librarian and view our newly decorated Children’s Room.

To get a new library card, you can stop by the library during business hours or you can submit your request through our online form. Please note that we do not mail library cards.

If your library card is no longer recognized as valid when you log onto our digital resources, it usually means you need to renew your card. Library cards are only valid for three years after issuance. To renew, please apply in-person at the library or use our online form. Should you use our online form, please note that you must pick up your library card in person as we do not mail library cards.

The Pound Ridge Library offers museum passes to 20 local and NYC museums for up to 4 days as well as discounts at participating museum gift shops and restaurants. Our museum pass information page gives all the details about how the program works and a list of participating museums. Museum passes can be reserved in-person at the library or through our convenient online Museum Pass Reservation System.

Yes, you can. Pound Ridge Library is a member of the Westchester Library System (WLS) cooperative so you have borrowing privileges at all 38 independent Westchester County libraries. To find items, you can search the WLS online catalog and place a hold on items you desire using your library card. When the item(s) requested are available, they will be delivered to Pound Ridge Library (your default library unless you specify another WLS Library) for pick-up. You will be notified via your preferred method (email or telephone) when the item is in. Items borrowed from other WLS libraries are subject to the loan periods, renewals and fines of that library.

 

Need a special research publication or an obscure document or manuscript not available through WLS? You can also borrow resources from outside of the WLS and throughout the United States through their InterLibrary Loan Service.

Yes, items borrowed through the Westchester Library System can be returned at any other library in the system, with the exception of Express Books (new items with a 14-day loan period) and InterLibrary Loan materials. Express books and Interlibrary Loan materials must be returned to Pound Ridge Library.

You can use the Westchester Library System’s login page on your desktop or mobile to view your account and request materials. On the go? Download the WLS Mobile App to check your account, search the WLS catalog, order materials and stay up to date on our library events.

The amount of time it takes to receive a book from another library depends on whether the book is available or if there is a waiting list for the book. Popular or new books often have waiting lists. You can view your current items on hold, your holds history and any holds awaiting pick-up by logging into your WLS account, by using the WLS Mobile App or by contacting the library during business hours.

You can renew an item in person at the circulation desk during business hours or on-line by logging into your Westchester Library System account. Please note that Express Books have a loan period of 2-weeks and cannot be renewed. Please see our Borrowing Materials page for more detailed information about borrowing, renewals and overdue fines.

Yes, you can pay your fines online through Westchester Library System Online Bill Pay which charges a $2.50 convenience fee. If you wish to avoid transaction fees, you can, of course, pay your fines in-person during library business hours.

 

To check on your account balance, you can stop in or call the library at 914-764-5035. To view your account balance online, please log onto your WLS account and use the Charges/Payments tabs at the bottom of your account summary to see your account balance.

For your convenience, we have a book drop in the lower parking lot area for books and media. Please note that museum passes and Switch Consoles and Games MUST be returned in-person during business hours at the circulation desk to prevent damage. Using the book drop for the return of accepted items will stop overdue fines from increasing.

The Schaffner Community Room is available for use by community and civic groups and for art exhibitions. Room amenities, rental cost, application and use policies are detailed on our Schaffner Community Room Rental page.

We love to nurture young readers and have drawn up a list of some of our favorite books. Our Children’s Librarian, Alan Ramsay, is always eager to recommend the perfect book for your child’s interests and reading ability.

The Library has three desktop computers and two printers available for patron use. During busy times, computer time is limited to 30 minutes per patron. Please see our Public-Use Computers, Printers and Copier page for more details about computer and printer use. There are also many quiet work spaces available for those who prefer to bring their own laptop and access our library WiFi.

Yes, we have a color copier that the public can use for letter- and legal-sized documents. Please see our Public-Use Computers, Printers and Copier page for more details about copying costs.

For adults, we have a very active and very welcoming book group which typically meets on the third Wednesday of every month at 1:30 pm. Please see the Adult Calendar for meeting dates and book titles. For more information about the adult book group, please contact Marilyn Tinter at the Library.

 

For children, we have three active book groups: Snack and Chat (Grades 1-2), Eager Eaters (Grade 3) and Dinner & A Book (Grades 4-5). Please view the Children’s Calendar for specific times and book titles.

Extra copies of adult and children book group titles are available at the Circulation Desk.

No, Pound Ridge Library does not take book donations. However, two of our neighboring libraries, Katonah Village Library and Lewisboro Library have large fall book sales and do accept book donations. Please view their websites for their specific donation times and accepted books.

Yes, Pound Ridge Library has a notary public on staff during business hours. On the day you plan to come, please call the library at 914-764-5085 to confirm the notary’s available and bring the needed required documents for identification.