Borrowing Information
Obtaining a Library Card
- Cards are free and most are issued immediately.
- Cards may be issued at the Main Library and
branches.
- Cards are valid for three years.
- Card applications are available in Spanish.
- A New Haven Free Public Library card may be used in any public library
in Connecticut.
New Haven Residents
- Adults
You will be asked to show (1) picture identification
(such as a driver's license) and (2) a bill, envelope or postcard
with your New Haven street address, postmarked within the last 30 days.
- Young Adults
If you are under 18 and without picture identification your
parent or guardian must sign your application.
- Children
If you are 12 or younger, you and your parent or guardian
sign your card application.
Students Residing in New Haven
If you are a college or graduate student residing in New Haven,
you can apply for a library card if you show a valid I.D.
If you have a library card from a public
library in Connecticut, bring in your library card and a second form
of identification.
Out-of-Town Borrowers
Only New Haven residents may obtain a New Haven Free Public Library card.
However, if you are a Connecticut resident, you may borrow at any Connecticut
public library with a valid card from your hometown library. If
you are an adult, please bring a second form of identification in addition
to your local library card in order to be added to our circulation system.
Borrowing Books and Other Material
Renewing and Reserving Materials
Renewals and reserves may be placed in person, over the phone
(946-8135) or on the Web. To renew material or reserve checked-out items
on the Web, access your record using the Library's
online catalog.
For renewals, the renewal date will be calculated from the due date
rather than the date of the renewal. See below for renewal periods.
Borrowing and Renewal Periods:
| Material |
Loan Period |
| Books for Adults |
Four weeks.
One two-week renewal if there is no hold on the book.
A maximum of 30 books may be checked out concurrently.
|
| New Books |
Two weeks.
One one-week renewal if there is no hold on the book.
|
| Children's Books |
Four weeks.
One two-week renewal if there is no hold on the book.
|
| Audio Cassettes, Records, Compact Discs, Software |
Four weeks.
One two-week renewal if there is no hold on the item.
No more than five items of the same type may be borrowed concurrently.
|
| Videotapes and DVDs |
One week.
No renewal.
No more than five videos/DVDs may be borrowed concurrently.
|
| Magazines |
Two weeks. No renewal.
Only magazines in the Children's Room,
Young Adult Area, or Branches may be borrowed.
|
| Comic Books (Young Adult Area) |
One week. No renewal.
|
Fines on Overdue Material
| Material |
Fine Per Day |
Maximum Fine |
Books and other material
except videos* |
$0.10 |
$10.00 |
| Videos & DVDs |
$1.00 |
$10.00 |
* There are no fines on overdue children's books borrowed
with a child's card.
Accessing Your Record and Renewing Material Online
If you have a library card, you can
access your record
here. By accessing your record you can obtain a list of
checked-out items and their due dates, and renew eligible items.
Call 946-8135 if you have any questions.
