FAQ

Residents of the Town of Chester may request a library card at our Circulation Desk. You must apply in person and show photo identification with your current address to receive a library card. Children aged 5 to 17 must have a parent (with a valid Library card) sign their application card. You will not be able to check out materials without your card. Replacement cards cost $2.50. Library cards from other Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) libraries, can be used at Chester Library and vice versa. See our policies page for more information.

Most of our books may be borrowed for a 21-day loan period, with 2 renewals allowed and a fine of $.20 per day for overdue books. Newer titles and audio books may be borrowed for up to 14 days, renewed twice, and will be fined $.20 per day overdue. CDs may be loaned for 14 days, renewed once only, and will be charged $.20 per day overdue. (You may only have 5 music CDs checked out at any given time). Magazines, DVDs, and Videos may be kept for 7 days with no renewals – the newer DVDs (limited to four at one time) have a 3-day loan period. (You may only have 5 magazines and 4 new DVDs at one time.) Please also be mindful of items borrowed from another library in RCLS’s Inter-Library Loan System – they may carry a different loan period and fine schedule than those of the Chester Library.

You can renew your books by calling us at (845) 469-4252. or renew online on your account. CDs may be loaned for 14 days, renewed once only, and will be charged $.20 per day overdue. (You may only have 5 music CDs checked out at any given time).

You can call us at (845) 469-4252 to find out what the status of your account is or check your account online. Overdue and lost book fines and must be paid in person at any RCLS library, by cash or check.

Talk to one of our reference librarians if an item you are looking for is not in the catalog. See them in person or call (845) 469-4252.

We have a black-and-white/ color photocopier which charges $.10 per black and white page and $0.50 per color page. We will send faxes for patrons with a charge of $3.00 for the first page and $1.00/page for succeeding pages.

We are grateful for book donations prior to our book sales, when we make room for their storage. Please call ahead to find out if we are accepting donations—and thank you for thinking of us!