Circulation Policy.
Who May Apply for a Monroe Free Library Card
- Residents in the Town of Monroe, Village of Monroe and Village of Harriman (MFL Service area) may apply for a Monroe Free Library card. Library funding must appear as a line item on resident’s tax bill.
- Educators currently employed at Monroe-Woodbury Central School District who live outside of the Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) service area.
- Current Monroe business proprietors living outside of RCLS’s service area.
How to Apply for a Monroe Free Library Card
Applicants may apply for a Monroe Free Library card in person or online.
Apply in person at the Circulation Desk:
Applicants must provide a valid NYS photo identification with their name and current address on it. If applicant’s photo identification does not include their address, they must provide an additional document showing their current address such as a phone bill or utility bill. Other forms of proof of address may be accepted.
Note: PO Box is not an acceptable form of proof of address.
Minors, applicants under the age of eighteen (18), must have a parent or guardian present to provide proof of address. Parents or guardians agree to be responsible for all materials borrowed on a minor’s card until the minor reaches the age of eighteen (18).
Once the application process is completed, applicants will be handed their Monroe Free Library card.
Apply online:
To apply online visit our website: using this link.
- Fill out the application.
- Upload a valid NYS photo identification with your Monroe or Harriman address.
Once your application is reviewed and processed, you will be notified via email that your library card will be mailed to you.
Applicants will be notified via email if staff can’t process their application, along with the reason why. Whenever possible, staff will recommend next steps.
Who is eligible for Temporary Library Card
Applicants who do not live within the RCLS service area but who will be living in the MFL Service area, for an extended period of time, may apply for a temporary library card.
- Applicant will need to provide a valid photo identification and proof of address.
- Applicant will be required to pay $100.00 for a one-year membership or $25.00 for a quarterly membership. Fees will be collected during the application process.
Note: The following restrictions apply to temporary cardholders:
- A temporary cardholder may only borrow items at Monroe Free Library.
- There is a maximum of 15 items on a temporary card at one time.
How to Replace a Library Card
If a Monroe Free Library card is lost, stolen, or damaged it may be easily replaced at the Circulation Desk.
Applicant will need to provide a valid photo identification and proof of address. There will be a non-refundable charge of $3.00 for a “lost card”. Once a library card is replaced it will no longer be valid.
When an applicant moves from any other RCLS library to the MFL Service area, a replacement library card is issued at no cost. Applicant must provide a valid photo identification and proof of address.
Responsibility of the Library Cardholder
Monroe Free Library cardholders are responsible for ALL material checked out on their library card. We encourage cardholders to use their own library card and not to share their card with others. If your card is lost or stolen, we encourage you to notify the library immediately. We will put a note in your record to prevent any future liability, should any unauthorized material be borrowed on your library card.
How to Check Out Material
Material may be checked out to any library cardholder in good standing. Patrons may have a maximum of 49 items checked out to their library card at one time.
Material may be checked out:
- in person at Monroe Free Library;
- at any RCLS Library;
- using Curbside Service; or
- online by downloading the Libby App.
*Please see Curbside Service guidelines online, or pick up a brochure at the Circulation Desk.
Library Loan Periods
The Monroe Free Library establishes standard loan periods for the various materials in their collection. These loan periods apply to all cardholders and are as follows:
| Material Type |
Loan Period |
Maximum # of Renewals |
Fine |
| Single DVD |
3 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| DVD Sets |
7 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| Magazines |
7 Days |
0 |
Fine Free |
| Music CDs |
14 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| New & Express Fiction |
14 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| Adult Fiction |
28 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| Adult Large Print |
28 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| Adult Non-Fiction |
28 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| Audio Books |
28 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| Juvenile Fiction |
28 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| Juvenile Non-Fiction |
28 Days |
2 |
Fine Free |
| Museum Passes* |
3 Days |
0 |
$10 Per Day |
| Tablets |
7 Days |
1 |
$10 Per Day |
| Video Games |
7 Days |
1 |
$1 Per Day |
| Discovery Kits |
14 Days |
0 |
$1 Per Day |
| Laptops* |
14 Days |
0 |
$10 Per Day |
| Road Trip Bags |
14 Days |
0 |
$1 Per Day |
*Deposits: These materials require a $25 deposit.
Deposits collected will be returned after material is returned and inspected by staff. If material is returned undamaged, a full refund will be given.
If material is returned damaged, patron will be notified and the deposit will be used to pay toward the damage.
Note: Reference material and Ready Reference material is for in house use only.
Renewing Material
Eligible material may be renewed:
- in person;
- by phone;
- online at www.monroefreelibrary.org; and
- using the RCLS Gateway App.
Materials eligible for renewal will be renewed automatically, with the following exceptions:
- If material has exceeded renewal limit.
- If material is on hold for another patron.
- If a patron has accrued a fine over $10.00.
- If a patron has an account that’s been blocked.
Fine Free Material
Most material in Monroe Free Library’s collections are considered “fine free” and will not accrue a late fee if returned no later than 49 days after the material is due. Once material is 50 days overdue, it is considered “lost” and replacement fees will be charged to a patron’s library card. Fines associated with lost material will be forgiven if the material is returned in good condition.
Note: Some materials are not “fine free” due to their high replacement costs. These include Museum Passes, Laptops, Tablets, Video Games, Discovery Kits and Road Trip Bags.
Overdue Material
Material is considered overdue if it has not been returned or renewed on or before the day it’s due. Most material will not accrue late fees except for excluded material noted above.
Material will not be checked out to patrons if they have a fine of $10.00 or more on their account.
Once material is 50 days overdue, it will be marked “lost” and replacement fees will be applied to the patron’s library account. As a courtesy, patrons will be notified if material is overdue via email or a notice will be sent in the mail.
Lost Material
Patrons will not be able to check out material if they have a lost item(s) on their library account. All access to material, services, and programs will be suspended temporarily until material is paid for.
- Patrons will be responsible for replacement costs if the lost material is not returned.
- Patrons will be responsible for the replacement cost if material is returned damaged or missing pieces.
- Replacement cost is determined by purchase price set in computer.
- Once patron has paid for lost or damaged material, it is theirs to keep.
- Once lost material has been paid for, a refund will not be given.
Returning Material
Material may be returned to any RCLS library unless otherwise noted on the material and/or specified by staff. Discovery Kits, Laptops, Museum Passes, Tablets and Road Trip Bags may not be returned in the book drop.
When the library is closed, material may be returned in the book drop located in front of the library, near the entrance. All material returned in the book drop is checked in using the previous day’s date.
Placing Material on Reserve (Hold)
Patrons may place material on hold as long as their library account is in good standing.
Patrons will be notified via phone, email, or text, when material has arrived and they will have 5 days to pick it up.
If material is not picked up on, or by their expiration date, it will automatically expire and either it will be re-shelved or sent back to the owning library.
Patrons may re-request material that has expired.
Approved 06/2010
Revised 06/2018
Revised and Approved 07/11/2022