Library Card

Eligibility and Registration

Residents of Albany or Rensselaer County

• Photo identification (such as a driver’s license) is required for adults.
• If the patron’s current street address is not on their photo identification, other proof of current street address is required. Acceptable proof of address includes but is not limited to: utility bill, lease agreement, vehicle registration, pay stub, etc.  
• If date of birth is not included on the photo identification, staff will ask for this information to complete the card registration process.
• The signature of a parent or legal guardian is required for children 15 and younger.
• Patrons who reside outside of Albany or Rensselaer County, but who work or go to school in Castleton Public Library’s service area (Castleton/Schodack), are eligible for a resident library card. Proof of employment or school registration is required.

Residents of Other Counties

• An out-of-system card grants full library access at CPL, but does not guarantee full privileges at other Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) libraries.

Registration for Limited-Use Cards

• Patrons age 16 and older who do not meet the registration requirements listed above can register for a temporary card. This card is valid for 30 days and allows for a maximum of 3 items to be checked out on the card at a time (no checkouts of Museum Passes or Library of Things). Patrons who bring in the required documentation within 30 days will be updated to full-access cards.
• Temporary cards may be renewed in 30-day increments.
• Youth under 18 who are not accompanied by their parent/guardian may register for a UHLS MyCard. The MyCard allows for a maximum of 3 items to be checked out on the card at a time. Checkouts are limited to any books, Juvenile/Young Adult audiobooks and Juvenile/Young Adult DVDs. MyCards are valid for 3 years and can be used at all UHLS libraries, with the exception of the Colonie Town Library.

Online Registration

• Patrons can register for a card online at https://sierra.uhls.org/selfreg. The temporary card created through online registration is valid for digital use right away. Temporary cards created using online registration will expire after 14 days. Patrons who register online and visit any UHLS library and provide photo identification (and proof of address if photo identification does not include current address) will be updated to a full-access library card.

Account Renewal

• Library cards (other than temporary cards) are valid for 3 years. Near the end of this time period, patrons will be prompted to validate or update the information on their account. No documentation is needed to renew a library card. Patrons will be asked to verify their address, phone number, and email address. Patrons can renew over the phone, via email, or in person.

Card Rules

• A library card is required to borrow materials. Library cards are non-transferable. The person issued the card is the only person allowed to use the card.
• If a patron forgets their card, they may use photo identification, such as a driver’s license. Alternatively, they can provide their name and verify their date of birth.
• Most items checked out of a UHLS library may be returned to any UHLS library. Exceptions: Museum passes, interlibrary loan items from outside of the UHLS library system, and Library of Things items such as WiFi hotspots, fishing poles, and cake pans must be returned to the library they are borrowed from.
• There is no limit on the amount of materials which may be borrowed.
• For patron convenience, holds may be picked up for a patron by their family members or friends. Patrons can inform the library if they wish to limit who may pick up their holds at any time. This convenience applies to hold pickups only; other items cannot be checked out on a patron’s card unless the patron is present.
• The person issued the card is responsible for reporting it lost or stolen.
• Replacement cards may be issued for $1.00.
• Patrons are responsible for all materials checked out on their library card.

Card Holder Responsibilities

• Unpaid fines or overdue material result in a delinquent borrower status. Delinquent borrowers forfeit their borrowing privileges until items are returned. Cards are delinquent when $10.00 or more in lost materials, damages or fines have accumulated on your card.
• An outdoor book drop is available 24 hours a day. Materials placed in the drop when the library is closed will be cleared the next business day.
• Borrowers are responsible for the replacement cost of materials which become lost or damaged while out on loan.
• Patrons can be notified by an automated email or phone message when their holds are in.
• The library should be informed of any change in name, address, or telephone number as soon as possible.

Approved: May 19, 2014
Updated: January 21, 2020
Updated: April 19, 2021