585-784-5300                                                                                     Rochester, NY

Library Card Information and Circulation Policies

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How Do I Get a Library Card?
 

Library cards are used to access library computers and databases, and for borrowing materials. You may use your card the same day that you register for one.

Adults who live in Monroe County will be asked to supply a photo ID and proof of current address, such as a current driver's license. If you have recently moved, you will be asked to present mail that has been sent to your new address.

If you reside outside of Monroe County, you can get a renewable non-Monroe County resident card for $25 per year.
                                         
Children under the age of 12 can only be registered by a parent or guardian who will need to supply the documents listed above.

Teens will need to bring a student ID and proof of their address (mail or school report card, etc.). Those who do not have a student ID will need to bring two pieces of mail/proof of address.

Those attending a local institution of higher education can register for a card by providing proof of a temporary local address, proof of permanent address, and a student ID with a photo. The card will be valid for one year.


What Are My Responsibilities as a Cardholder?

As the holder of a card issued by any library in the Monroe County Library System, you are entitled to borrow items free of charge at this library. By signing your card, you agree to be responsible for the materials borrowed on your card and to abide by the rules of the member libraries. Since New York State law protects the confidentiality of library and financial records, each patron must use his/her own card. Account information needs to be updated yearly through the notification of an automated expiration date. If your card had passed the expiration date and you have moved within the last year, you will need to update your account information in person at any Monroe County Library. For your protection, missing or stolen cards should be reported immediately.


How Do I Replace My Library Card?

If you have lost or damaged your library card, there is a $1 replacement fee. You will need to provide identification to replace a card.


How Many Items Can I Borrow?

For most items, there are no limits at BML. 

The following items do have limits:
 

• DVDS - limit of 25 per card (countywide)

• Magazines - limit of 5 issues per card of a title from the last 12 months

• Video Games- limit of 5 per card

Brighton Memorial Library reserves the right to limit the number of items borrowed during high demand periods or when our computers are down.


What If Brighton Memorial Library Doesn't Have the Item I Want?

You can have an eligible item from another MCLS library sent to BML for pickup at no cost. If an item is currently on the shelf at another library and you would like to pick it up at that location, our Information Center staff can contact the owning library and ask that the item be set aside for you. If you are not in the library, holds can be placed via the catalog or by one of our reference librarians; call (585) 784-5300 and choose option #2 when prompted.

If no library in MCLS owns an item you are looking for, you may request the item through Interlibrary Loan at the Information Desk. There is a $5 non-refundable processing fee for each item due at the time the request is made. Depending on where the item is coming from, it can take 3-6 weeks for an item to arrive. In addition, the owning libraries may not wish to send items out, and your request may go unfulfilled.

 

How Long May I Borrow Items?

​

• Books and CDs - 3 weeks*    

• DVDs and Video Games - 1 week; 2 weeks for DVDs with multiple discs

Special loan periods for vacations or extraordinary circumstances may be granted at the discretion of the librarians.

When you check out your items, you will be given a due date receipt that will tell you when your items must be returned for others to use. If you provided an email address or cell phone number when you set up your account, you will normally receive a courtesy email or text reminder three days before your items are coming due. Your account can be accessed from our homepage if you wish to renew items.

Most items may be returned to any library in Monroe County, to our Circulation Desk, or through our drive-up AV/book drop on the northwest corner of our building near the Town playground (open 24 hours a day).

Fines and Fees

​

As of January 1, 2024, Brighton Memorial Library no longer charges daily overdue fines on ANY Brighton items. Patrons who signed up for electronic notifications will continue to receive text and email courtesy overdue reminders (at 3 days prior to due dates and at 7 & 21 days overdue). If they are not signed up, patrons will continue to receive 7-, 21- & 42-day overdue phone calls. Items that are not on hold by another patron can usually be renewed a total of 2 times.

​

Items will still need to be returned so that others may use them. If no response is received within 14 days after the 42-day overdue point, patrons will be sent a bill for the price of the unreturned items, with the possibility of being sent to collections. Borrowing privileges will also be blocked when you are billed for unreturned items. If fines/fees from any library reach $20, borrowing privileges will be blocked until the amount is reduced. If these fees reach $35, your account will be referred to a collection agency, and a $20 service fee will be added to your account.

​

Patrons will still be billed for lost or damaged items.

​

Items from other libraries that still charge fines will still incur charges from those libraries.

​

Certain items must still be returned directly to Brighton Memorial Library or the borrower will incur an additional fee. These items are clearly marked on the cover stating that they must be returned directly to the owning library.

Renewing Items

Many of the items in the library can be renewed up to two times if no one has placed a hold on them. 

The following items are NOT renewable:

• Holiday Books

• Video Games

• Early Literacy Kits

• Required Reading Collection/Summer Reading Books

• Sewing Machine

• Art Kits

 

For assistance with renewing items, please call BML at (585) 784-5300 and choose #3 when prompted. 

 

​