How Do I?

Adults and children who live in the Village of Scarsdale are eligible for a free card that will be honored at all Westchester public libraries. Applications are available at the Circulation Desk. Appropriate identification is required with proof of name and street address. A card will be issued to you for immediate use. You can also sign up using our online form. Your card will be mailed to you within a week.

Your default PIN is the last 4 digits of your phone number. If you have no phone number on your account, the default PIN is 0000. You can change your PIN by logging into the Westchester Library System catalog. If you have forgotten your PIN you can reset it by clicking “Forgot your password?” after clicking “Log In” from the catalog, or call the Reference Desk at 914-722-1302.

Call the library to report a lost or stolen card. There is no charge for replacement cards.

• Library cards issued by the Scarsdale Library expire every three years and need to be renewed.

• Expired cards must be renewed before they can be used to borrow materials, access library computers, or download/access online content.

• If you still have your card at the date of its expiration and wish to renew it, there is no need to apply for a new card.

• If your address and contact information have not changed from what we have on file, you can email us a renewal request at circulation@scarsdalelibrary.org. Please include your address and phone number.

• If you have a new address, identification (such as a license or bill with your new address) must be brought to the library to renew/validate your library card.

• Additional information may be requested by the library if needed. Those with a youth card do not need to present identification.

• Unfortunately, we cannot renew library cards that weren't issued by the Scarsdale Library. This includes library cards from other libraries in the Westchester Library System.

All you need is a current library card from a library in the Westchester Library System (WLS). Please bring your card each time you visit the library. You will be unable to use a library card that does not belong to you unless you have been listed as an authorized user by the account holder. 

Most items are checked out for 21 days and can be renewed once, with some exceptions:

New Books                  14 days

Trade paperbacks        14 days (no renewals)

JV Holiday Books         14 days

Speedy Readers           7 days (no renewals)

Magazines                    7 days

DVD & Blu-Ray             7 days

ILL Materials                 28 days (no renewals)

Items may be returned to the book drops located in the Library vestibule after hours.

Most materials can be renewed once. Items on hold for other Library patrons or that have already been renewed are not available for additional renewals. Items checked out at the Scarsdale Library will be automatically renewed three days before coming due if eligible.

Eligible materials can be renewed using the catalog, by phone using the 24-hour automated phone system (914-674-4169), by calling the Library at 914-722-1302, or in person. Eligible items checked out at the Scarsdale Library or other libraries participating in automatic renewals will be automatically renewed 3 days before they are due. Items are extended from their original due date so there is no penalty for renewing early.

Archival local history materials cannot be checked out.

Up to 75 items can be borrowed on one card at a time.

Holds may be placed using the catalog, by phone (914-722-1302), or at the Reference Desk. Regular circulating materials other than speedy readers, express items, and magazines may be placed on hold. When a copy becomes available, it will be held for you at the Circulation Desk for seven days. There is no charge for this service. Items that are not in the Westchester Library System may be requested using one of the forms at www.westchesterlibraries.org/ill-services/ or call the Reference Desk at 914-722-1302

We do not charge overdue fines for physical items, and there are no fines on downloadable materials as they expire automatically.

However, we encourage you to return your items on time for the benefit of the rest of the community.  

You must pay the current replacement cost of each item, as determined by the owning library. Library materials are expensive to replace. Please take care of everything you borrow.

The Library may deny borrowing privileges to library users who fail to return lost material with cumulative replacement costs exceeding $25.00. Borrowing privileges will be reinstated upon restitution. If you think you have returned an item that is still on your record please call the Circulation Desk at 914-722-1301 so that we can check the shelves.

Yes! WLS now offers an online bill pay system that can be accessed here.

A few things to keep in mind:

• We do not offer refunds. By using the online bill pay system, patrons accept the terms.
• There is a $2.50 transaction fee. This covers the cost of credit card transactions, merchant account and administration fee.
• 100% of fines will go to the item owning library.
• Funds are distributed on a quarterly basis.

Click here to reserve a pass now.

Library Museum Passes may be borrowed by Scarsdale Library cardholders over 18 in good standing. All fines must be paid and overdue items returned before borrowing a pass.

Passes may be reserved online or by calling the Reference Desk up to a month in advance. A cardholder can make up to three reservations in a 30 day period. Make the reservation for the date of your visit. Print the confirmation sheet and bring it to the library when picking up the pass.

The pass can be picked up at the Reference Desk the day before the visit and returned there the day after.  The pass may not be returned to another library and it cannot be renewed.

A fee of $10 will be charged each day the pass is late or if it is returned to another library.  The full cost of the pass will be charged to the cardholder if the pass is lost.  The cost of each pass varies and can be as high as $500.

If the reservation is more than 24 hours ahead, use the “my passes” link on the reservation page to cancel.  If less than 24 hours, visit the library or call the Reference Desk. Please be courteous to your neighbors who may want the pass you won’t be using and let us know!