Circulation Policies
Library Card Registration
Any person principally domiciled in East Hampton is eligible for a free library card. Library cards expire every three years and may be renewed.
It is the cardholder’s responsibility to inform the library if their card has been lost or stolen. Replacement cards are issued for a $2.00 fee.
Cardholders are responsible for any material checked out on their card. Borrowing privileges may be suspended or lost if excessive fees accrue.
Library Cards for Adults
Adult library cards are issued to East Hampton residents 18 years of age or older. To apply for a library card, adults must appear at the Library in person and show a valid Connecticut driver’s license or photo ID documenting their current residential address in East Hampton. If the license or photo ID is not current or does not state the applicant’s East Hampton address, the resident must supply alternative proof of residence. The following are acceptable:
- Town tax statement
- Current vehicle registration.
- Current lease agreement or mortgage document.
- Current utility bill dated within the last 30 days.
- Piece of mail sent through the US Postal Service addressed to the applicant and listing their current East Hampton address.
The library also issues adult library cards by paper applications distributed through local partner organizations. In that case, a library card will be issued with a completed application. If the application is incomplete, the library will issue a temporary library card until the cardholder can supply the library with any missing application information.
The library may also issue temporary Library e-Cards by online application on its website: www.easthamptonpubliclibrary.org. Library e-Cards are valid for one year and may only be used to access the library’s electronic resources. An e-cardholder may apply for an adult library card by appearing in person at the Library and providing a proof of residence listed above.
Library Cards for Juveniles
Juvenile library cards are issued to children 17 years of age or younger of East Hampton residents. Parents or legal guardians of juveniles are responsible for any fees on the child’s library card.
To apply for a juvenile library card, parents or guardians must show the same documentation of residence as listed above. Both the juvenile and the parent or guardian must be present at the time of application.
The library also issues juvenile library cards by paper applications distributed through schools, daycares and other local partner organizations. In that case, a juvenile library card will be issued with a completed application from a parent or guardian. If the application is incomplete, the library will issue a child a temporary library card until the parent or guardian can supply the library with any missing application information.
The library may also issue temporary juvenile Library e-Cards by online application on their website: www.easthamptonpubliclibrary.org. Juvenile e- cards are valid for one year and may only be used to access the library’s electronic resources. A juvenile e-cardholder may apply for a juvenile library card by appearing in person with their parent or guardian at the Library and providing a proof or residence listed above.
Temporary Cards
The library may, at its discretion, issue temporary cards to out-of-state residents residing in East Hampton, with proof of local rental or lease, length of stay, and a valid out-of-state driver’s license. Temporary cards will be limited to checking out 10 items at a time.
In-state residents who temporarily reside in East Hampton will be considered non-resident borrowers and must use their hometown library card.
The library may also issue temporary cards to residents who submit an incomplete application for a library card via a partner organization or through the library’s website.
(Approved by the Library Advisory Board 12/4/17. Approved by the Town Council 12/12/17.)
(Updated and Approved by the Library Advisory Board 1/4/21. Approved by the Town Council 1/26/21)
(Updated and Approved by the Library Advisory Board 9/19/22. Approved by the Town Council 9/27/22. Adopted 9/27/22)
Loan Periods
All East Hampton items are loaned for 28 days with the following exceptions:
| Material Type | Loan Period |
| New Adult Books and Lucky Day Books | 14 Days |
| DVDs, Library of Things Items, and Video Games | 7 Days |
| Magazines | 14 Days |
| Museum Passes | 3 Days |
Please remember that other LION libraries may have different loan periods.
All materials owned by East Hampton Public Library may be borrowed by anyone with a valid Connecticut public library borrower card. All borrowers, whether resident or non-resident, are subject to the same lending agreements regardless of location of residence.
Special Collections (such as WiFi hotspots, video games, and equipment items) may be subject to specific borrower agreements and lending terms equally applicable to all borrowers. Special equipment items are (unless noted otherwise) not renewable, must be checked out and returned in-person to East Hampton Public Library, and do not circulate through the delivery system.
Check exactly when your books are due by logging into your account with your library card number and last name. Or call us at 860-267-6621.
Renewals
Most items can be renewed for two additional loan periods as long as there is not another patron waiting for the item. Items eligible for renewal are automatically renewed three days before their due dates. If you need more time with an item, please call us. The only items that cannot be renewed are Lucky Day Books and Movies.
Renew your books online by logging into your account with your library card number and last name. Or call us at 860-267-6621.
Late Fees
The East Hampton Public Library does not charge overdue fines! We know that life is busy and we want you to be able to use your library worry free.
Holds
Patrons may request up to 100 items from other LION libraries. East Hampton receives delivery from other LION libraries twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Once an item arrives in East Hampton you will have one week to pick it up.
Place something on hold by logging into your account with your library card number and last name. Or call us at 860-267-6621.
Lost, Damaged or Billed Items
Patrons are billed for items that are over 28 days late. Once the item is returned, the bill is taken off of the card .
If an item is returned in such condition that we cannot lend it to another patron, you may be billed for that item.
We do not accept replacement items for lost or damaged items.
If you are being billed for a lost or damaged item and you cannot pay, please come talk to us. We’re always willing to work with you. We want you to use and enjoy your library.
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan requests are defined as a hold on a material not available owned by the East Hampton Public Library or other Libraries Online (LION) Consortium Library. East Hampton cardholders may place an interlibrary loan by speaking with a staff member and filling out the Library’s Interlibrary Loan Request Form.
Individual patrons may have up to 5 active requests at any one time.
The East Hampton Public Library does not:
- Request a title which is owned by the East Hampton Public Library or another LION Library unless the title is:
- Lost and has not yet been replaced; or,
- Focus of a book discussion, library or other group-sponsored.
- Request items from outside of Connecticut.
Renewals are at the discretion of the lender and materials may be recalled by the lender without notice.
(Approved by the Library Advisory Board 12/4/17. Approved by the Town Council 12/12/17)
(Updated and Approved by the Library Advisory Board 1/4/21. Approved by the Town Council 1/26/21)
(Updated and Approved by the Library Advisory Board 9/19/22. Approved by the Town Council 9/27/22. Adopted 9/27/22)