TCPL Board of Trustees Approves Changes to Lending Guidelines

TCPL Board of Trustees Approves Changes to Lending Guidelines

The Tompkins County Public Library Board of Trustees has approved updates to the Library’s Card and Lending Guidelines Policy that revises the number of automatic renewals and clarifies the types of identification needed for a library card.

Starting Friday, August 1, 2025 the number of automatic renewals allowed for loaned items will change from six to two. Items that other patrons have requested through a hold are not eligible for automatic renewal. For those with items checked out prior to August 1, the existing due date will not change. However, if an item has been renewed twice or more prior to August 1, future automatic renewals will not be possible.

The change to renewals aims to enhance access to materials for all users by increasing availability. It also brings TCPL into alignment with other Finger Lakes Library System members’ lending policies.

The updated guidelines also now allow proof of a residential address or a working address within Tompkins County, along with a photo I.D. for those seeking a library card. Anyone who lives or works in Tompkins County is eligible for a library card at TCPL.

Cardholders have unrestricted access to TCPL’s collections and can borrow up to 50 books or physical media (CDs, DVDs, etc.) at any one time for up to three weeks. Cardholders can also access Finger Lakes Library system resources, Interlibrary Loans, magazines, research databases, the Library of Things, Mango languages and digital and streaming resources which include Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy.

Getting a library card at TCPL is free, and the Library has been fine free since 2019.

The full updated Card and Lending Guidelines can be viewed here: 
https://www.tcpl.org/card-and-lending-guidelines 

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here:
https://www.tcpl.org/faq-revised-card-and-lending-guidelines-0625