Library Cards & Borrowing Privileges Policy

Purpose

The Lake Placid Public Library recognizes that the Lake Placid Central School District includes full‑time residents, property owners, and a significant seasonal and temporary population. This policy ensures equitable access to library services while responsibly stewarding resources funded primarily by local taxpayers. 

Eligibility for Library Cards

Resident Library Card 

A Resident Library Card shall be issued at no cost to any individual who: 

• Resides within the Lake Placid Central School District, or 
• Resides within the Lake Placid Central School District for more than six (6) consecutive months, regardless of voting status or legal domicile, or 
• Owns property within the Lake Placid Central School District and spends a total of at least four (4) weeks per calendar year at that property, which may consist of multiple non‑consecutive visits. 

Resident Library Card holders receive full borrowing privileges, including access to interlibrary loan (ILL) services. 

Residents of Other Library Districts within Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties 

Individuals who reside outside the Lake Placid Central School District but within Clinton, Essex, or Franklin Counties are encouraged to obtain a borrowing card from their home public library. 

Through the Lake Placid Public Library’s participation in regional library system agreements, patrons holding a valid library card from their home library retain full privileges to use and borrow materials from the Lake Placid Public Library in accordance with system policies. 

Temporary Resident Library Card

A Temporary Resident Library Card shall be issued to individuals who: 

• Are staying within or working within the Lake Placid Central School District for more than one (1) month but less than six (6) months, and 
• Can provide proof of a temporary local address (such as a lease, lodging confirmation, or employer verification), and 
• Provide their permanent address outside the district. 

Temporary Resident Library Card privileges include: 

• Borrowing of physical library materials 
• Access to digital collections and electronic resources 
• Use of public computers and in‑library services 

Temporary Resident Library Card conditions and restrictions: 

• Interlibrary loan (ILL) privileges are not available 
• All borrowed materials must be returned on or before the end of the individual’s temporary residency or employment period within the district 

Temporary Resident cards shall expire no later than six (6) months from the date of issue and may not be renewed beyond that time. 

CONVERSION TO RESIDENT STATUS 

Any Temporary Resident cardholder whose stay or employment within the Lake Placid Central School District extends beyond six (6) months shall be eligible—and required—to convert to a Resident Library Card upon presentation of updated proof of residency. 

Proof of Address

Acceptable documentation may include, but is not limited to: 

• Lease or rental agreement 
• Utility bill 
• Property ownership documentation 
• Employer letter or seasonal employment contract 
• Other documentation deemed reasonable by library administration 

Visitor Access without a Card

Short‑term visitors staying one (1) month or less are welcome to: 

• Use the library space 
• Access in‑library resources 
• Attend library programs 

Visitors without a library card may request that selected library materials be held at the circulation desk between visits, subject to staff discretion and availability, to allow continued in‑library access to those materials during their stay. 

Items held in this manner may not leave the building and are held for a limited period as determined by library staff. 

Administrative Discretion

The Library Director, or their designee, is authorized to interpret and apply this policy in unusual circumstances consistent with its intent and with New York State library regulations.