Here are all the answers to all of your Cairo Public Library Card questions
You can apply for a free library card right now using our online card application—then visit Cairo Public Library location to verify your information and receive your. A physical library card is your key to checking out physical books and more.
If you prefer to complete the application for a library card in person, please visit with proof of ID and address. Kids and Teens are not required to provide identification when verifying their applications. A parent is required for kids under 13.
When applying for a Mid-Hudson Library System Card in person, or providing proof of their eligibility to receive a card after applying online, an applicant must show proof that he/she lives, works and pays income taxes in the Mid-Hudson Library System, attends school, or pays property taxes within the Mid-Hudson Library System.
The following can be used for proof of id. One document can be used if it has a valid address and a valid photo otherwise 2 documents must be used
- Current driver’s license
- Current photo learner’s permit
- Current non-driver’s identification (includes IDNYC)
- Current college or university photo ID card
- Current employee photo ID card
- New York City welfare ID card
- Current Armed Services ID card
- Alien Registration photo ID card
- Matricula Consular (Mexican CID)
- Current passport
- Medicare/Medicaid card
- New York State motor vehicle registration
- Professional, vocational or union photo ID
- Current rent bill or lease agreement
- Tax bill or receipt
- Transit pass
- Current photo ID with signature and expiration date issued by an embassy or consulate in New York
- Statement from a homeless shelter
- Bank statement
- Cable, phone or utility bill
- Any piece of mail delivered by the US Post Office*
- Recent W2 showing payment of NY state income tax
Children ages 0-12 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian. Children and Young Adults do not need to provide proof of identification to validate their card.
If you reside in Cairo or Durham and are unable to visit the Cairo Public Library please e-mail cairolib1@gmail.com with a scan or picture of (2) two pieces of mail, delivered within the last (2) two months to your Cairo/Durham address. Please include your name, and your library card number. In the Subject Line type “Account Renewal” or “Account Validation”.
Cardholders are responsible for all items on a card, all use made of the card and all charges made against it until it is reported lost or stolen. If your card is lost or stolen, inform the library immediately. You have three ways of notifying us of a lost or stolen card: Call (518) 622-9864, email cairolib1@gmail.com, or visit.
To get a replacement card you can visit with proof of identity and home address. The cost of replacing a lost or stolen library card is $2.00. This fee is assessed at the time the card is reported lost.
The Cairo Public Library provides its Card Holder with access to many databases and resources free of charge. Want a new resource let us know here
The Library provides four places to get e-books and e-audiobooks for its patrons
All Mid-Hudson Library System Card Holders have access to Libby and the resources it provides. This is a free resource. The lending model is similar to the library lending model with holds, renewals and checkouts. Within the app you can place 15 holds and check out 10 items at a time.
Libby is a versatile app that allows users to change settings to broaden accessibility, use kindles or digital e-readers, adjust content controls for a personalized view of the collection and change the launguage
Materials you can check out with your library card on libby include: e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, e graphic novels, e-comics
Mid-Hudson Library System patrons now have expanded access to OverDrive materials through a Reciprocal Lending Agreement (RLA) with the Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS), Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS) and the Mohawk Valley Library System (MVLS).
If you need help with Libby sign-up for a tech help appt. on Wednesday or call to schedule time with a library employee.
All Mid-Hudson Library System Card Holders have access to Sora. This is a e-resource specifically tailored to children’s content with parental permissions to give literacy freedom under guidance of a trusted adult
Materials you can check out with your library card on libby include: e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, e graphic novels, e-comics
If you need help with Sora sign-up for a tech help appt. on Wednesday or call to schedule time with a library employee.
All Cairo Library Patrons that live in the Cairo tax district have access to Hoopla. This is a free resource. The lending model is on demand which means you can immediately checkout any item on the app without a hold. Each card holder gets 6 checkouts a month
Materials you can check out with your library card on Hoopla include: e-books, e-audiobooks, movies, binge passes, music
If you need help with Hoopla sign-up for a tech help appt. on Wednesday or call to schedule time with a library employee.
NOVELNY is an online library of magazines, newspapers, maps, charts, research and reference books that are available to every New Yorker, free of charge. All you need is your public library card, be located in New York state for geo location, a New York driver license -or- New York Non-Driver ID.
Materials you can check out with your library card on Novel include: magazines, newspapers, maps, charts, reference books
If you need help with Hoopla sign-up for a tech help appt. on Wednesday or call to schedule time with a library employee.
The Library provides two other online learning resources for its patrons
Job now is a free resource for all Mid-Hudson Library System Card Holders that provides carefully-selected job resources.
Patrons can use this resource to work on resume and cover letter writing assistance, online interview practice and test preparation (including the High School Equivalency and the US Citizenship tests)
If you need help with Novel NY sign-up for a tech help appt. on Wednesday or call to schedule time with a library employee.
Transparent Language is a free resource for all Mid-Hudson Library System Card Holders that provides interactive learning materials in over 120 languages
Patrons can use this resource to learn how to listen, speak, read, and write in Travel and everyday vocabulary. They provide lessons for intermediate and advanced learners as well as specific K-12 courses and lessons designed for early learning, elementary, middle school, and high school.
This resource also has a section for ESL/ELL materials for speakers of 34 different languages and an American Citizenship Test prep course designed with the goal of preparing test takers to comfortably answer all 100 civics question.
Transparent language can be used interchangeable on the mobile app or the website. It will save your progress across platform usage so there is no fear when patrons need to login on the computer to finish the lesson that was started on a phone.
If you need help with Transparent Launguage sign-up for a tech help appt. on Wednesday or call to schedule time with a library employee.
For most online library services, ie: Hoopla, Libby, Databases, or logging in to your account online, you are asked to enter both your library card number (only the digits – no spaces or dashes, please) and the PIN/ Password that you’ve set.
You may visit or call the library to have a staff member create or reset your PIN/ Password for you.
Once you have registered for a card, you will be able to manage many of your account details online. Some changes, such as an update to your mailing address or your name, require that you show documentation to library staff.
The Mid-Hudson Library Systems catalog interfaces allow you to:
- view and renew eligible on-loan items
- place holds
- select or change a preferred pickup location
- pay fees
Access the Online Catalog Here : https://mhls.overdrive.com/ *You will need your card number and pin to log in
Once you have registered for a card, you will be able to manage many of your account details online. Some changes, such as an update to your mailing address or your name, require that you show documentation to library staff.
The Mid-Hudson Library Systems App allows you to:
- Store your library card barcode digitally
- Use the app to scan your barcode at the library
- Add multiple library cards/accounts
- See all linked accounts’ holds, checkouts, and barcodes without needing to log out or switch
- Customized to each user’s home library
- Libraries can add recommended lists and cover carousels
- Push notifications for library news and alerts
- In-app (and soon push) notifications for holds, items due soon, overdue, and account expiration
- Scan any book to see if the system has a copy
- Search the catalog and place holds
- Make lists (separate from the lists in Discover)
- Reading tracker feature
- Quick links to digital library services like Libby, Hoopla, Transparent Languages, and JobNow
- Find nearby libraries and their hours
Applicants for a library card are given the option to “link” their record to another patron on our application form. This service allows increased ease of navigation between physical cardholders belonging to the same family when they are borrowing materials from the branches.
Have questions we didn’t answer? Contact us! Call (518)622-9864 or Email cairolib1@gmail.com
Current Library Card Designs
