Library Card Policy

1. YORK COUNTY LIBRARY CARDS (Valid at all York County Libraries and the Bookmobile)

        1.1 Free to: York County residents

               York County property owners

               Out-of-county residents employed in York County

               Out-of-county college students with proper College ID

        1.2 Available for an annual fee to out‑of‑county residents who do not work in York County.

        1.3 Allow users to:

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• Check out and place “Holds” on library materials

• Use public library computers

• Access online databases

• Provide free access to SCLENDS consortium holdings

• Provide access to request materials from libraries nationwide

• Review their account

• Search the catalog and databases

• Reserve materials from home, office, or school

  2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CARD HOLDERS

A library card establishes a financial account for which the user is responsible. The barcode on a library card uniquely identifies the user in both YCL and SCLENDS systems.

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        2.1 By signing the application, the patron agrees to:

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• Follow all library policies and procedures

• Return all borrowed materials

• Pay for replacement of lost or damaged items or components

• Accept the authority of library personnel and the Board of Trustees in enforcing policies

• When signing for a juvenile’s card, the parent or legal guardian agrees to      

• Supervise the child’s library use and be responsible for library materials obtained with that card

• Be responsible for fines and fees generated by loaning their card or allowing others to use it

• Report lost or stolen cards immediately

        2.2 To allow others access to their account, cardholders must:

• Pre‑authorize individuals by adding their names to the library record

• Ensure those individuals present picture ID

• A cardholder may give their physical card to another person to authorize access 

        2.3 Pre-authorization or presentation of another’s card is required to provide the following information to anyone other than the cardholder:

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• Whether the person is registered for a card

• Whether fines or fees exist, including amounts and payment status

• What items are checked out and when they are due

• What hold or interlibrary loan titles are available for pickup

  3. ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND RESIDENCY

All applicants must provide current proof of identity and residency. Staff may determine whether documentation sufficiently proves both name and address.
 

        3.1 Identification: Picture ID must be current and unexpired
 

• Current driver’s license

• Current South Carolina Department of Highways ID

• Current employer or military picture ID

• Current school picture ID

• Current consular ID

• Current passport

        3.2 Proof of Address
 

• Current picture ID with current address

• Current bank/check statement

• Current tax notice

• Current utility bill

• York County voter registration card

• Current rent receipt

  4. RESIDENT CARDS

        4.1 Resident card requires proof of current York County residence and must live in York County at least 6 months per year.

        4.2 Property owners living outside the county must provide:
 

• York County tax receipt

• Proof of identity

• Proof of current address

• Accounts expire every two years and may be renewed with updated tax receipt
   

        4.3. Out‑of‑county workers employed in York County must provide:
 

• Employer‑issued ID or business card

• Proof of identity

• Proof of current address

        4.4 Out-of-county students enrolled in a college located in York County must provide:
 

• Current college ID

        4.5 Cards for minors ages 0–17: Applications must be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian.

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• Parent/Guardian must choose one of the following card types:
   

  • Children Card (Ages 0–12)

    • Standard checkout limits

    • May borrow juvenile materials only

    • Access to public computers and online databases

    • No Interlibrary Loan access
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  • Teen Card (Ages 13–17)

    • Standard checkout limits

    • May borrow juvenile and teen materials only

    • Access to public computers and online databases

    • No Interlibrary Loan access
       

  • Unrestricted Minor Card

    • Standard checkout limits

    • May borrow juvenile, teen, and adult materials

    • Access to public computers, online databases, and digital materials

Cards for minors (ages 0-17) expire when the child turns 18. They must apply for an adult card under their own signature. Any outstanding fines or fees on the minor’s card transfer to the new resident card.

  5. TEACHER CARDS

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Available to residents and non‑residents who teach in York County schools.

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        5.1 Eligible teachers include:
 

• Public school teachers

• Private school teachers

• Daycare providers

• Homeschooling parents or legal guardians

        5.2 Benefits:
 

• 4‑week checkout period instead of 2 weeks

• Up to 100 items checked out at one time
   

        5.3 Restrictions:
 

• No renewals

• Interlibrary loan materials may not be checked out

• Rental items may not be checked out

• Bestsellers may not be checked out

• These restricted items must be checked out on the teacher’s regular patron card

• Interlibrary loan exclusions follow the lending library’s policies

• Rental items and bestsellers excluded due to high demand

  6. OUT-OF-COUNTY / NON-RESIDENT CARDS

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Available to out‑of‑county or non‑residents for an annual fee of $35.00.

Provides the same borrowing privileges as resident cards.

Fee amount may change yearly.

Cards expire at the end of each year.

        6.1 Renewal requirements:
 

• New application

• Proof of identity

• Proof of address

• Payment of annual fee​​​

 7. BORROWING PERIODS

 1‑Week Checkout: DVDs (limit 10)

 2‑Week Checkout: Hotspots, New items, Video games (limit 2)

3‑Week Checkout: All other items