A GUIDE TO
MEMBERSHIP
Last Updated: June 8, 2011
Membership in the Library is open to all. Members are entitled to book borrowing privileges, the use of all facilities, and participation in all of the Library's activities. Membership in the Library is, in fact, membership in one of the most vibrant communities of readers and writers in New York City. We hope this Guide will help you enjoy everything available to you now in what Hilton Kramer considered a "pillar of the literary and intellectual life of New York." Welcome.
Anyone 18 years old or over may become a member by submitting a completed application and paying the subscription fee. A household membership includes everyone living in the same household. Individual memberships are available to people living in a one-person household. Educational memberships are available to those with an active ID from an educational institution. Other members of the household are not included in an educational membership.
www.nysoclib.org
The Library's website provides links to the online catalog, the remote databases, the calendar of events, all Library publications and information about our resources and activities.
Hours
The Library is open 9-5 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 9-7 on Tuesdays and Thursdays; and 1-5 on Sundays. All areas of the Library except the circulation hall close 15 minutes prior to the closing hour.
The Library is closed on weekends from the middle of June to the middle of September and on major holidays. Closings are listed on the monthly New Books List and on the Library's Events calendar on the website.
Books
Checking out books: Members have access to the Library's open stacks. Household memberships may borrow a total of twenty books at a time, other memberships a total of ten. Books and materials to be borrowed are checked out at the front desk and should be returned there. Books from the stacks or the Children's Library circulate for four weeks. New or seasonal books may be limited to one- or two-week loans. Old or fragile materials may have restricted circulation. Periodicals and books designated "reference" may only be used within the Library. Marking or annotating books or other materials in any way is not permitted.
Renewals: Most items may be renewed once for two additional weeks, provided that no other member has requested them. Members may renew books in person, by phone, or online. Overdue fines of $.15 per item per day will be charged after a brief grace period.
Reserving books: Members may reserve current bestsellers or books checked out, and may do so in person at the front desk, by phone, by mail, or online. When an item becomes available, notification is sent. Reserve books are held for 10 days from the date of notification. There is no limit on the number of holds per membership.
Requesting a book not in the collection: To request that the Library purchase a book, fill out a call slip, available at the front desk, or use the "Suggest a Purchase" link on the catalog page. The Library always welcomes suggestions by members for additions to the collection and considers them for purchase.
Interlibrary loan: The Library offers this service for items not available in its collection or through the New York Public Library system. Ask at the front desk for a request form.
Lost books: Members are responsible for books checked out under their name. If a book is lost, the replacement cost will be determined by the Library and billed to the member.
Paging: Upon request, books may be retrieved from the stacks for those unable to get books themselves.
Audio Books: Recently acquired books on CD are shelved in the lobby; earlier acquisitions on cassette and CD are found on Stack 9. A list of audio book holdings is available on the website and at the front desk.
Large Print Books: Recently acquired large print books are available at the front desk. Others are shelved by call number in the stacks. A list of large print book holdings is available on the website and at the front desk.
Periodicals: Current issues are in the Members' Room; back issues can be found on Stack 11 and in the Hornblower Room. Adult periodicals do not circulate; Children's magazines may be checked out.
Closed Stack: To request a book listed in the catalog as "Closed Stack" or "Stack 8," fill out a call slip at the front desk. A staff member will retrieve the book. Some books may not circulate.
Rare books: Use of materials in the rare book stack ("Z" in the catalog) is limited, and must be arranged by appointment. Please ask at the front desk for a copy of "Policies Regarding the Use of Rare Book Materials."
Books by mail: Members may arrange to receive books by mail. Inquire at the front desk for details.
Reading and Study Spaces
Reference Room: The Reference Room, on the first floor front, is open to members and the public for reference, reading, and online catalog access.
Members' Room: The Members' Room, on the second floor front, is for reading and quiet study. Laptop use is not allowed. Electronic devices may be used for reading, but not typing. The sound must be turned off. Current newspapers and periodicals are located here. The Members' Room occasionally closes for Library events; notification is posted on the door on the day of the event.
Whitridge Room: The Whitridge Room, on the third floor front, is also for reading and study. Children and families may use this room for reading aloud on weekday afternoons from 3 to 5. This room is used for children's programs and other events; a monthly calendar is posted on the door.
Hornblower Room: The Hornblower Room, on the fifth floor front, is for quiet study and laptop computer use. Please ask at the front desk for "Hornblower Room Rules."
Study Rooms: The Library has six individual study rooms on the fifth floor. These are available by reservation at the front desk or by telephone. Please ask at the front desk for "Study Room Regulations." These rooms are limited to use by one person at a time.
Other Study Spaces: Other small study spaces include the Green Alcove in the rear of Stack 12 and individual desks throughout the stacks. Desks in the stacks provide outlets for power, but not internet access. The Children's Library also provides reading space.
Lockers: Members may request the use of a day locker or a six-month locker. Keys for day lockers are available at the front desk. Six-month lockers are reserved by a form available at the front desk.
Catalog and Research Technology
Catalogs: Online catalog access is available through terminals in the Reference Room on the first floor and Internet terminals throughout the building. Catalog access from offsite is available through the website. The card catalog in the Reference Room is limited to author, title, and subject cards for books acquired before March 1989.
Internet Access: Internet terminals are located on Stack 1, in the Children's Library, and on the fifth floor. Users are limited to thirty minutes and 10 printed pages per day. All members are expected to follow the posted rules concerning appropriate internet use.
Wireless and DSL Access: Internet access is available for personal laptops in the Hornblower Room and the fifth floor study rooms. Please consult the "Wireless Access" brochure for settings and passwords. Cables and ports are also available for those who prefer DSL access.
Online resources: The Library subscribes to various online resources. A list is available on the main catalog page. Members may access these sources through terminals in the Library or offsite. Consult the website for further information. Use of these databases may be restricted by vendor licenses; members must abide by the terms of licenses as stated.
Copy machines: A self-serve copy machine is available in the Reference Room. Copies cost 15 cents per page. The machine accepts bills and coins. Fragile materials may not be copied, and all photocopying must comply with current copyright law.
Microfilm reader: A microfilm reader is located on Stack 11.
Library Publications
New Books List: This list of newly acquired books arranged by subject is available monthly on the website and at the front desk.
Library Notes: The newsletter, published 3 times a year and mailed to members, contains feature articles of interest to members.
Events: The Events calendar is mailed to members and is available on the website. It lists all the events planned for the upcoming season.
Children's Calendar: The Children's Calendar, listing regular programs for children and grandchildren of members, is sent monthly to interested members and is available on the Children's Library website and at the front desk.
Annual Report: The report is mailed to members annually; it contains the reports of the Chairman, Treasurer and Head Librarian and lists donors for the preceding year.
Events
Events: The Library sponsors a regular calendar of lectures, workshops and special events, which are listed in the Events newsletter and on the website. Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise stated; see listings for more details. Fees not included in membership dues are charged for some events.
Children's events: Regular children's events take place in the Children's Library; see the monthly Children's Calendar for details. Registration is required.
Other Facilities
Handicapped Access: A wheelchair lift is available in the main entry stairwell.
Restrooms: Restrooms are located next to the lobby, on the second floor beside the Members' Room (women) and on the landing between the second and third floors (men), and next to the Children's Library.
Water: A water cooler is located in the cloakroom next to the lobby. Cups are also available in restrooms.
Coats and strollers: Coat racks are located in the cloakroom next to the lobby, in the stack entrance to the Children's Library, and in the stack entrance to the fifth floor. Strollers can be parked unfolded in the Reference Room or folded in the cloakroom. Strollers may not be left in the entry stairwell.
Telephone: A coin-operated phone is located in a booth on the main stair landing between the second and third floors. This phone should be used for brief outgoing calls only. Cell phone use is not permitted in this booth or anywhere else in the Library.
Termination or Suspension
The privilege of using the Library and the enjoyment of its services may be suspended or terminated following violation of Library rules. The Library shall notify the member in writing of the Library's election to suspend or terminate the member's Library privileges and the reason for it. Notice
Notice shall be given by certified mail to the member at the address given in his or her subscription application.
Any member wishing to discuss or contest the matter of suspension or termination should notify the Librarian within ten days following the Library's notification and arrange for an appointment. Any member wishing to dispute the Librarian's decision to suspend or terminate a membership may appeal in writing to the Board of Trustees.
Rules of the Library
The Library strives to provide an atmosphere conducive to reading, study, writing, and research. All users should respect this overriding goal in their behavior and the manner in which they enjoy the Library.
1. Silence should be maintained in the reading and study rooms and in the stacks.
2. Talking on cell phones is prohibited throughout the Library. All electronic devices must be used only in silent
(not vibrate) mode. This rule will be strictly enforced by the staff. Please be sure to turn your device to silent when you enter the building.
3. Food and beverages are not permitted anywhere in the building, including the study rooms and stacks.
4. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the Library.
5. Appropriate dress (including footwear) must be worn at all times.
6. Bags, briefcases, and backpacks are subject to inspection by the Library staff.
7. Items of personal property are brought into the Library at the owner's risk, and the Library cannot accept responsibility for loss of such items or for theft or damage.
8. Use of photocopiers, computers, and printers must comply with copyright laws.
9. Only members of the Library are admitted to rooms other than the Reference Room on the main floor, except by permission of a librarian.
10. All users of the Library must vacate the stacks and reading and study rooms fifteen minutes before closing time. The Library closes promptly at 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Library staff members reserve the right to call a halt to all activities deemed to be inconsiderate or disorderly, and to ask anyone whose behavior is deemed inappropriate to leave the building.
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