At most libraries books are hand-sorted by library staff and unpaid volunteers. The NYPL was having problems because of the large volume of books being processed, and they had difficulty finding people to do the work. They have now installed a $2.3 million book-sorting machine that operates like an automated airport baggage carousel.
On one side of the machine, which is two-thirds the length of a football field and encircled by a conveyor belt, staff members place each book face-down on a separate panel of the belt. The book passes under a laser scanner, which reads the bar code on the back cover, and the sorter communicates with the library’s central computer system to determine where the book should be headed. Then, as the conveyor belt moves along, it drops the book into one of 132 bins, each associated with a branch library.A video at the link explains that books can now reach their rerouted destination in one day instead of two, and that this is accomplished with about one-third the previous number of human employees.
How do I request Library materials?
Using The Library’s online catalog, you may request up to 15 circulating items at a time to be delivered to the Library location of your choice. You may also place requests with the assistance of a Library staff member.
Only certain circulating items in the catalog may be requested.* If you see the Place Hold option next to an item you are interested in that is not available at your neighborhood library, click Place Hold and enter your library card number and PIN. On the next screen, select your preferred pickup location from the drop-down menu. If you need the item by a certain date, you may also enter a Cancel If Not Filled Bydate. Otherwise, your request will remain active for one year, or until filled.
All requests for Library materials are on a first come, first served basis and are subject to availability.
Using your Library account, you may cancel requests or change the selected pickup location until the item has been routed to the pickup location.
Once you receive notification that your items are available, you have 7 days to pick them up before they are returned to circulation. Please collect all items being held for you at once.
Library materials stored off-site and viewable only in designated Research Libraries may be requested through The Library’s catalog. Learn more about access to off-site materials.
*Holds cannot be placed on Book Express and DVD Express titles, CD Express titles or items that are non-circulating, such as reference materials.
Additionally, materials in our Research Libraries may be requested for on-site use only.
How do I renew Library materials?
Items that have not been requested by another borrower and have not exceeded the maximum number of renewals become eligible for renewal 2 days into the current loan period. You may renew circulating items up to 10 times.* Note that borrowers remain responsible for any fines that may accumulate before an overdue item is renewed.
As long as your account is in good standing, eligible materials may be renewed:
- Online
- In person
- Through Self-Service Checkout
- Via The Library’s Automated Telephone Renewal Service: (212) 262-7444
- Via a call to your neighborhood library
When are materials considered late?
All Library materials must be returned on or before their due date. Initial due dates are listed on receipts received at checkout. Due dates extended through the renewal of eligible materials are available by accessing your Library account for renewals performed online or by phone or through new receipts issued for in-person or self-service checkout transactions.
Overdue materials may be subject to late fines.
Where can I return Library materials?
The Library offers universal returns; most circulating material can be returned to any New York Public Library location in the Bronx, Manhattan or Staten Island, except the Schomburg Center. Likewise, pickup of holds and payment of fines and fees may take place at any Library location with the exception of Schomburg.
The Library also offers a number of convenient book drops, many of which are available 24 hours.
I think I have returned an item, but it's still attached to my record?
Patrons are responsible for any library materials borrowed on their card until they are checked in at a New York Public Library location and cleared from their list of checked out items. If you believe you have returned an item, you must call or visit The Library to claim it returned. To expedite the process, it is strongly suggested that you visit the Library from which you borrowed the item and request staff check the shelves for it.
If the item is not found, you will have until the end of The Library's billing cycle to locate it and return it before a replacement charge is applied to your record. Until the item is found or replacement charges are paid, you will continue to receive overdue notices and the item will appear on your record with its status changed to that of a Claimed Returned/Disputed Item. This status will also be applied in cases where an item appears on your record that you do not recall checking out and the same notice and billing cycle apply.
The surest way to know that an item is no longer checked out to you is to request a return receipt at check-in.
Downloading from our digital collections
Cardholders have access to downloadable books, movies and music through eNYPL and other digital collections. For additional information, visit eBooks, Music and Video.
Accessing Library databases
The New York Public Library offers access to many electronic databases on a variety of topics from the arts and humanities to science and technology available both in The Library and at home. Many of these databases include full-text articles, audio and video content, and resources in languages other than English.
Please note that many databases that can be accessed from outside the Library will still require you to enter your Library card number and PIN.
*Effective September 1, 2010
