The mission of the Schenectady County Public Library is to satisfy our community's educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs by providing free and open access to a comprehensive range of materials, services and programs.
About Your Library Card
With your card, you will be able to borrow from our extensive collection of books, eBooks, magazines, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs and more. During library hours, you will have free access to public Internet computers and WIFI, as well as 24/7 access to our online databases from home. Using our online catalog, you will be able to check your account, request and renew items, maintain a permanent reading list, and more. Become a Schenectady County Public Library user today.
Use the link above to register online for a new, temporary library card. To be eligible to register online, you must be at least 13 years old and reside within Schenectady County. An email address is required. If you have questions about online registration, please contact your closest SCPL location.
Your temporary card number allows you immediate access to our Libby & Hoopla digital collection. You may also be able to place hold requests for library materials. You will have 60 days to complete your registration at an SCPL location and pick up your card in person before your account will be expired.
- Who is Eligible?
- What ID do I need?
- Card Policies
- Loan Periods & Late Fees
- My Online Account
Who is Eligible?
- Schenectady County residents of all ages or property owners are eligible for a free borrower's card. This card may also be used at public libraries in Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties.
- Residents of Albany and Rensselaer counties may obtain a card, but a fee of $50 per year will be charged.
- Schenectady County agencies, businesses, organizations and schools may apply for a free Agency Card by listing authorized users on letterhead. The request must be signed by a senior administrator, who accepts responsibility on behalf of the organization for all borrowed materials.
What ID do I Need?
Individuals 13 years or older must present a picture ID with proof current address. Individuals 0-12 years old need their parent's or guardian's signature. If they don't have their own ID, a parent or guardian must present his/her ID. Acceptable forms of ID & current address are:
- NYS driver's license, permit or ID
- Work or school picture ID
- Passport or green card
- Tax bill, utility bill, phone bill, other mail
- Property deed
- Lease or rent agreement
- Report card
- Notarized affidavit
- Pay stub
- Official business documents
Card Policies
- Library cards are NOT transferable. Each borrower must use his/her own library card, and is responsible for all borrowed materials. Parents and guardians of children 0-12 years old are responsible for materials borrowed on their children's cards.
- Lost/stolen cards should be reported to the library immediately since materials borrowed on an unreported lost or stolen card remain the cardholder's responsibility
- Please notify the library of any changes in your address, phone number, email or other contact information.
Loan Periods & Renewals
The standard loan period for materials is 28 days, with exceptions as listed below. Most items loaned for 28 days may be renewed twice for an additional loan period. Items with loan periods of less than 28 days may be renewed once with the exception of Book Express. Renewals may be made in person, by phone to the Central Library or any SCPL Branch, or online by logging into your library account. Click here for a complete list of all item limits, loan periods, fines and renewals.
Exceptions
Material Type |
Loan Period |
New & Popular Books |
14 days |
Book Express |
7 days |
DVDs |
7 days |
Music CDs |
14 days |
Magazines |
7 days |
Late Fees and Fines
Late fees have been abolished as of April 1, 2022. However, fines for unreturned or damaged materials are still in place.
How do I...
...check my account?
- Click here.
- Type in your full library card number.
- Type in your password (the last 4 numbers of your phone number).
- Click "Log in."
- Choose from the top tabs to view Items Out with Due Dates, Requests, Fines & Fees, and more.
...renew an item?
- Click here.
- Type in your full library card number.
- Type in your password (the last 4 numbers of your phone number).
- Click "Log in."
- Click on the "Items Out" tab.
- The far right column shows how many renewals remain on an item. Items with 1 or more Renewals Left, may be renewed.
- To renew an item, select it by clicking in the empty box to the left of it.
- Click "Renew Selected Items."
...request an item?
- Click here.
- Type in your search words. You may use the drop down arrows to limit or expand your search.
- Click "Go."
- Choose the item you want.
- Click "Place Request."
- Type in your full library card number.
- Type in your password (the last 4 numbers of your phone number).
- Click "Log in."
- Choose a pick-up library.
- Click "Submit Request."
- You will be notified by phone or e-mail (*see below) when the item is available, or you may check the status of your request by accessing your account.
- Once received at the holding library, the reserved items will be held for 5 days.
...set up a reading history?
- Log into your account (see above).
- Click the "Patron Account" tab.
- At the bottom, click on "Contact Information and Preferences."
- Check the box next to "Maintain reading list."
- Click "Submit Change Request."
- You may deactivate this feature at any time by unchecking the box.
...view my reading history?
- Log into your account (see above).
- Click on the "Reading History" tab.
- A list of all the items you have borrowed since you set up the list will appear.
- You may use the "Sort by" drop down menu to sort by author, title, etc.
*Stay Connected today!
Sign-up for email notification and you will receive emails telling you when items are due and when your reserves are ready for pick-up! Just add an email address to your account information and the next time you borrow items, a library staff member will get you started.