Using your library card is easy! Here’s what you need to know about borrowing materials from Starr Library.
Getting a Library Card
Library cards are free and available to anyone who meets the residency requirements of the Mid-Hudson Library System.
- Remember to bring your card with you in order to check out items from Starr Library.
- If you forget your card, staff may still be able to check out materials with a photo ID that matches your account information.
- Please let us know as soon as possible if your card is lost or stolen.
- Library cards expire every 3 years so we can keep your contact information up to date.
- Parents and guardians are responsible for materials borrowed on cards belonging to children under age 18.
Borrowing Materials
Patrons with library cards from anywhere in the Mid-Hudson System may borrow materials from Starr Library free of charge.
Loan Periods
Material Type and Loan Period
Magazines (except newest issue) Books, audiobooks & multi-disc DVDs – 3 weeks
DVDs & music CDs – 1 week
Magazines (except newest issue) – 1 week
Study guides – 1 week
Museum passes – 4 days
Libby eBooks & audiobooks – 7, 14, or 21 days
Hoopla digital items – 21 days
A Few Important Notes
- Current magazine issues, reference materials, and Local History Collection materials must be used in the library.
- Museum passes are available only to Rhinebeck and Rhinecliff patrons, are not renewable, and are limited to one pass per patron at a time.
- Reserved items are held for 7 business days.
- Items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan may have different due dates set by the lending institution.
- Materials may be returned to any library in the Mid-Hudson Library System.
Renewals
Whenever possible, most items are automatically renewed once. Items may also be renewed in person, by phone, or online unless:
- another patron is waiting for the item, or
- the item has special borrowing restrictions.
Materials borrowed from other libraries follow the renewal rules of the lending library.
Late, Lost, and Damaged Items
Starr Library is fine free! We do not charge overdue fines on our materials.
Please note:
- Not all libraries are fine free. Items borrowed from other libraries may still accrue overdue fines based on that library’s policies.
- Lost or damaged items must be paid for by the borrower.
- Items are billed after they are 4 weeks overdue.
- Replacement costs may include processing fees.
If you later find and return a billed item in good condition within 3 months, a refund may be issued.
Think You Returned Something?
If you believe you returned an item that is still listed on your account, please contact us. Staff can initiate a “Claims Returned” search with the owning library.
Returning Materials
An outdoor book return with separate slots for books and media is available whenever the library is closed.
Starr at Home
Are you homebound and unable to visit the library?
Eligible Rhinebeck and Rhinecliff patrons can sign up for Starr at Home, our volunteer delivery service that brings library materials directly to your door.
Visit our Starr at Home page for more information and an online registration form.