Getting a Library Card:
Library cards are available for free to any resident of Allegheny County or any resident of Pennsylvania with a home library that participates in the ACCESS PA program. With a library card, you can:
- check out books, magazines, DVDs and CDs
- place holds and access your account online
- access library databases from home
- download audiobooks, eBooks, and music
- use the Library’s public computers and Internet
- connect to wireless Internet at all county libraries
Only one library card is needed for use in any of the Allegheny County Library Association (ACLA) member libraries.
Registration:
Photo identification is required at the time of registration. Acceptable forms of ID are a PA Driver’s license, PA State ID card, school ID, military card or passport. Residents who have recently moved to Allegheny County must present a photo ID and proof of Allegheny County residency with their current address (i.e., utility bill, lease, etc.) .
There are no age restrictions on cards, although individuals under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign the application. Parents or legal guardians who endorse a child’s Library card application accept responsibility for all materials charged out to that card.
- Adult must present a photo I.D. with a current mailing address or a photo I.D. with a utility bill that shows a current mailing address to apply for a library card.
- Children may also apply for a library card. A parent or guardian must present proper I.D., as outlined above, and provide a signature taking responsibility for items borrowed on the child’s card. The child must be present at the time or registration.
- Library cards are free and may be used immediately upon registration.
BORROWER RESPONSIBILITIES
- All library materials borrowed on their library card (regardless if materials were borrowed by the card holder or others)
- The replacement cost of lost or damaged library materials
- Reporting name and/or address changes to the library
- Reporting lost or stolen library cards
BORROWING LIMITS:
- None
LOAN PERIODS:
- Everything = 3 weeks
RENEWALS:
- Any item may be renewed unlimited times unless there is an outstanding request for the title.
- Materials may be renewed in person at any ACLA member library, by telephone, or online.
RESERVES
- Any circulating material in any ACLA member library may be placed on reserve.
- Requests can be made at the circulation desk, by telephone, or online.
- The patron will be contacted by telephone or e-mail when the item is available for pick up.
- Items will be held for seven (7) days.
RETURNS: Library materials may be returned to any ACLA area library, or 24/7 using the outdoor bookdrop.
FINES : Baldwin Library is a Fine Free library.
LATE NOTICES/BILLING
- An email or phone notice is sent to the patron the day after an item is overdue. If this notification is not successful an e-mail notice is sent to the director of the owning Library who then sees that the patron is notified.
- 28 days from the overdue date second notices are sent to the patron.
- 42 days from the overdue date, final notice (bill) will be sent to patron.
- Library privileges including computer use are suspended at all ACLA member libraries until the account is clear.
CONFIDENTIALITY OF LIBRARY RECORDS
In accordance with Pennsylvania Act 1984-90, Section 428, records related to the circulation of library materials and other records identifying individual patrons or library usage will be considered confidential in nature and made available only by a court order in a criminal proceeding.