Taking Things Home
How do I get a library card?
To obtain a library card, just bring in your photo ID. Children ages 11 and under must come with a parent or guardian to the children’s floor to sign up.
If you do not have an OWWL library card and are a full-time resident of Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, or Livingston Counties; attend school in these counties; pay property taxes in these counties; or were instructed to use this form by your library, you may obtain a Digital Library Card by visiting here.
What kinds of things can I borrow?
Fiction & Non-Fiction Books
Large Print Fiction & Non-Fiction Books
Non-English Books and Movies
Magazines
Graphic Novels & Manga
eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines
Audiobooks on CD and MP3
Music CDs
DVDs & Blu-Rays
Video Games
Internet Hotspots & Chromebooks
Activity Kits
What if I can’t make it into the library?
Once you have a card, you can use it to borrow eBooks and Audiobooks through OWWL2GO or Libby.
Books by Mail provides mail delivery of library materials to any resident of Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, and Livingston Counties who is unable to access an OWWL Library. You can access that information here.
Books to Go provides bulk lending to agencies serving or housing older adults such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and senior apartments in the four OWWL counties. Click here to learn more.
How many items can I borrow?
In accordance with the Library’s Circulation Policy, every library patron is able to have the following number of items checked out to their account at one time:
Checkout Limits
Total – 99 items (all items combined)
- Books – 99 items
- Videos – 7 items
- Music – 10 items
- Video Games – 1 item
- Hot Spots – 1 item
These limits include items sent to Geneva for checkout from other libraries within the OWWL system. It does not affect items checked out at other libraries within the system.
How long can I keep the items that I borrow?
Loan Periods
Loan periods are determined by the Library Director in cooperation with the OWWL Library System. They are set to maximize the public’s use of library collections and also take into consideration the demand for the type of material and the appropriateness of its use or value.
Presently, loan periods are as follows.
Hot Spots – 1 Week
New Books – 2 Weeks
Books – 3 Weeks
Audio Books – 3 Weeks
Videos – 1 Week/3 weeks for TV shows
Music – 3 Weeks
Magazines – 3 Weeks
Videogames – 2 Weeks
What if my item is due but I’m not done with it yet?
Renewing Items
Item due dates may be extended once or twice, depending on the material type. This renewal is for the same length of time as the original loan period, starting from the date of the requested renewal.
As long as an item is not needed elsewhere (when a hold has been placed on the item), a renewal will happen automatically on the morning of the item’s due date. Items can also be renewed manually by notifying library staff or accessing your account through the OWWL catalog.
What if I return something late?
Geneva Public Library is Fine-Free for overdue items! However, fees will result if items are returned damaged or not returned at all. Please respect our items so that all may enjoy them in the future. Once any fines reach $5.00 or more, you cannot use your card until the fees are once again under $5.00.
I would like to know what my kids are borrowing can you tell me?
The Geneva Public Library complies with New York State law regarding the confidentiality of patron records. The law states “Records related to the circulation of library materials which contain names or other personally identifying details… shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.”
Under no circumstances will a library staff member discuss a person’s record of loans, holds, or renewals with anyone other than the person him or herself, or with other library staff members except to the extent necessary for efficient and effective service to the public.