Using the Library

Welcome to the Pound Ridge Library! The Library is open to everyone. Patrons may use library resources, computers, and printers while on the premises, regardless if they have a library card. Patrons need a valid library card from any library in Westchester Library System to borrow materials.

Services Available to Card Holders

Loan Materials: Books, CDs, DVDs, Audiobooks, Magazines, Downloadable Books, Videos and Music.

eBooks: The eBooks can be downloaded to the Nook, Sony Readers, PCs and MACs, and the iPad. The audio books can be downloaded onto the iPod, iTouch, iPad, MP3 Players, MACs and PCs. Click here to view collection.

Wireless Internet Access: Enjoy free wireless high speed Internet access using your own wireless-enabled laptop or PDA. Wireless users agree to abide by the library’s policy on wireless use of the Internet. A copy of these policies can be found on the About the Library page under Policies on this site. More information available here.

Public Internet Access: Public terminal with high-speed access to the Internet are available during library hours.
Copy Machine: A coin operated copy machine is available for public use at 20 cents per copy.
Job and Career Accelerator: A comprehensive online job search system to help overwhelmed job seekers find employment in one easy-to-use application. The online program is available at no charge with your library card and can be accessed at a library or from home. Click here to get started.

Foreign Languages Resources: Use Tell Me More which is a complete language learning tool in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Learning Express: A comprehensive, interactive online learning platform of practice tests and tutorials for school, college, the workplace, citizenship etc. are available for all card holders. Click here for additional information.

Museum Pass Program: The Library offers free museum passes to several area museums.

Apply for a Library Card

To obtain a free library card you must live or work in the town of Pound Ridge. ID showing your current address is required. Your Pound Ridge Library Card is honored at all Westchester public libraries. You must present your library card to check out any materials at any library. If you work in Pound Ridge, but live in another Westchester community, you should obtain your library card from the community library where you live. A patron may only have one card in the Westchester Library System.

Circulation, Renewal Periods & Fines

The type of loan material determines the loan period. For the list of loan periods, the overdue fines per day and maximum fines for the loan materials click here.

Hours & Directions

Click here for the hours of the library and directions.

Circulation, Renewal Periods & Fines

Once you have a library card, you are able to borrow materials.

View Our Loan Policies

Meeting Room Information

The Schaffner room functions as Pound Ridge’s community space. Library programs, art displays, concerts, group meetings, Boy and Girl Scout activities, lectures and many other activities take place there.

Renew Your Books & View Your Account

You can renew your items from the library or from home. Items that are on hold cannot be renewed. To renew an item online click on the link below. You will need your library card and your PIN number. Your default PIN number is the last 4-digits of your home number. If you had no phone number with your account then the default PIN is 0000. Once you log-in you can change your PIN by going to My card & Renew Items or you can leave it as is.

Renew Items Online & View Your Account

Request an InterLibrary Loan

When materials are not available on site, patrons can place holds on items online or in the library. If items are not available in Westchester libraries, further searches will be made outside the system. Depending on the item that you are ordering there may be a fee for this service.

Returns

Materials borrowed at any of the Westchester Library System member libraries may be returned at any WLS member library. When the library is closed, material may be returned in the drop box outside the library.

Placing Holds

Holds can be placed at the library or online at www.westchesterlibraries.org using the patron’s library barcode. Patrons can choose to be notified by phone or email when the item is available for pick up. All material will be held for 8 days before being returned to the owning library for the next person in line on the holds list.

WLS has recently instituted a new system. You now need both your barcode and the last 4 digits of the phone number registered with the Library in order to log on. If you have any issues or questions with this new system you are advised to contact your local library.

Reference Materials

The Library has a wide selection of reference materials. These items are to be used on library premises and are not available for loan.

Lost Books

The charge for unpaid lost items will appear on a patron’s record. Patrons, who have lost any library material, will be asked to pay the library for the full replacement cost. Fines for the item will be waived at this time. In the event that the item is found after payment, money will not be refunded. Damaged materials are to be reported by the patron and dealt with at the discretion of the librarian.

Blocks

Beginning January 1, 2011, Westchester Library System adopted a new policy regarding the blocking of a library card. Previously a card was blocked when accumulated charges (fines, lost items etc.) reached $50. This is going to be lowered to $25. When a block is placed on a card it prevents further use of any of the Westchester Libraries including access to all databases. You are advised to check the status of your accumulated charges regularly at your library or View Your Account to prevent your card being blocked.

Search Our Catalog

The Westchester Library System (WLS) catalog consists of all the items owned by the 38 Westchester libraries and their branches. Anyone can search the Catalog, but in order to place a hold on, or download an item, you must have a library card from your local library within Westchester County.

Search the WLS Catalog