FAQs

What do I need to get a library card?
We serve people who pay taxes to support the library. People who pay their taxes to the town of Gardiner or pay New Paltz school taxes are eligble for a Gardiner Library card. Fill out a registration form at the library and receive a library card at that time, or fill out the online registration form and be contacted by a librarian within 48 hours to make arrangements to have your card mailed or picked up. Cards are also issued to people who work or do business in Gardiner. See our policy for more details.

What is your policy regarding fines?
Overdue fines will not be charged for items checked out at the Gardiner Library.
Items that are checked out at another library and returned to the Gardiner Library may accrue overdue fines if the other library is not fine free.
Once an item is 50 days overdue, it will be considered lost and the replacement cost of the item billed to the patron's account.
Borrowers who return billed items in good condition will not be charged overdue fees.
Borrowers are also responsible for the replacement cost for items returned damaged.
Note: Some materials are not “fine free” due to their high replacement costs. These include Museum Passes and future Library of Things items.

Do you have WiFi available?
WiFi is available to use in our parking lot, outdoor patio and stage. Directions to access are posted on the library doors. WiFi is available inside to use with library computers and/or personal devices. No appointment necessary. Visitors as well as cardholders are welcome to use this service.

Can I print from the computers? Printing from the library computers is available. If you wish to print from your laptop or device, you will probably need to download the driver for our printer.

Can I make photocopies and send faxes at the library?
Photocopies are .20 per page (.10/pg if 10 or more copies); faxing is $1 per page for receiving or sending.

How long can I borrow materials?
Books, audiobooks, and music CDs are loaned for three weeks. DVDs and magazines are loaned for one week. Patrons may borrow five DVDs at a time. Items from other libraries are subject to our loan policies.

Do you have a card catalog and how can I use it?
Yes and no! We no longer have a physical card catalog, but you can search for library materials from any computer in the library. We also have a dedicated computer for searching the catalog. A huge benefit of this online catalog is you can search the catalog through the library website from home. Click on "Search our Catalog" on the upper right hand corner of this page. If you have trouble, ask a staff member or give us a call. 

How do I order items from other libraries?
Click on "Search our Catalog" on the upper right hand corner of this page. Type the title in the search box at the top of that page. Click on the item you'd like to order, then click on the blue "Place Hold" box. Enter your library card number and pin (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number). If you need further assistance, you can ask at the library circulation desk or phone a staff member. We will gladly walk you through it over the phone.

Do you have story time and other programs for children and teens?
Yes! To learn more, please click here.

Are there fun, educational things I can access from my home computer for my kids?
Go to the Kids & Teens Virtual Library Resources page to access lots of fun and educational programs.

Do you have a community room?
Yes. Our community room is used for library sponsored programs and classes as well as for outside groups for programs and meetings. Go to the calendar to learn more.
For the community room policy and application please click Community room policy and application.

Can outside groups use the community room? Can individuals rent it out?
Non-profits can use the room. Currently we are not renting the community room out for birthday parties for kids under 10 years old. The room is also available for the purpose of non-commercial private events with prior approval from the library director. Contact Nicole, the library director, at nlane@rcls.org if you have any questions. Read the Community Room Policy and Application.

Does the Gardiner Library have magazines? newspapers?
Currently we subscribe to Hudson Valley One. We have a limited number of print magazines however, you can read new issues of 100's of magazines online through Overdrive's collection of e-magazines.

Can I get books electronically?
Use the Books/Audio/Digital tab on the top of the webpage or to download ebooks and audiobooks go to Overdrive and HOOPLA.

Can I borrow music from the library?
We have over 1000 music CDs in our collection. Styles of music range from Bach to Bob Dylan, from Jazz and Latin to World music and beyond. We have a collection of Children's music in the Children's section. If we do not have the music you are looking for at the library we can order CDs from other libraries in the RCLS system (we welcome donations of CDs for our growing collection). Music is also available to stream through HOOPLA.

Do you have large print material?
The Large Print books are located on the West wall at the end of the adult fiction.  Large Print editions of many books can also be borrowed from other libraries in the RCLS system.

Do you have any career services?
We have a number of books about careers, resumes, cover letters and interviewing in our collection. Our computers are also available for searching "help wanted" websites, completing online applications and printing resumes and cover letters (free of charge). Jobsites

Other career services such as resume building and recruitment sites here.

Where can I find the new releases and bestsellers?
As you walk into the main library you will see all the new adult items displayed to your left. The shelving to the left of the doors as you enter features adult new fiction, biography, nonfiction, movies and audiobooks. Bestsellers are not in a separate section.  We order new books once a month. Go to suggest a book to make a request or suggestion.