Lending

Colorful books on shelves

Requesting an Item from Westchester Library System (WLS)

Bedford Hills Free Library cardholders may request material from any library within Westchester County (WLS) to be picked up at the location of their choice. Up to 75 items may be checked out per card. There is a limit of 25 holds per patron at any one time. Hold items must be picked up by the person who placed the hold unless a designee (such as a parent or spouse) is indicated on the patron record.

Bedford Hills Free Library cardholders can access resources through WLS’s online public access catalog via their desktop, through the WLS mobile app, in person at the library or by calling 914.666.6472. 

To request an item through WLS online, log in with your library card number and your PIN (the last 4 digits of your telephone number on file) and place a “hold” to have the item sent to your desired pick-up library when it is available. WLS items are kept at Patron Services for pick-up for up to eight (8) days.

In person, please present your library card (or digital card on your phone) to check out materials at the Bedford Hills Free Library or photo ID if you don’t have your card with you.

In addition to having access to the many items within the Westchester Library System, patrons may also request books from libraries outside of our system. Interlibrary loan requests are limited to print material. Requests for Interlibrary Loan materials must be initiated, picked up, and returned to the same library. All inter-library loans have a loan period of 4 weeks with NO renewals. Overdue charges for Interlibrary loans are $2 per day. 

The average time to obtain the materials is one to four weeks; some obscure materials may take longer to get. The time it takes depends on availability of the materials requested, location and staff situation of the owning libraries, and the type of delivery.

You may place an ILL request in person at any public library in Westchester County or follow the appropriate link below to submit your request online. You can have the requested materials delivered to any WLS member library for you to pick up, but you must return the materials to the same library where they have been checked out.

Fine Free

Our Fine Free policy means that books, audiobooks, and DVDs from the Bedford Hills Free Library collection that are overdue will not be charged a fine. You may return the material to any library in WLS and you will not be charged a fine for the item.

Not all libraries within WLS are fine free; if items are owned by another library, the cardholder is responsible for those fines.

Late Fees

Some items, Culture Passes, Hotspots, and other devices, will carry a late fee if not returned at the required due date. Please review the terms with Patron Services when checking out any device.

Lost or Damaged Items

If the borrowed item is not returned 30 days after its due date, it will be considered a lost item. The replacement fee for lost items will appear on your patron account. Checks for lost items should be made out to the owning library. If the item is found after payment, money will not be refunded. 

Please report damaged materials upon return to the library for an assessment. Damaged items may be subject to a replacement fee.

Lending Period

Patrons are responsible for all materials borrowed on your library card or your child's card.

The loan periods are as follows:

Books, audiobooks & CDs: 21 days

New books & children's holiday books: 14 days

DVDs & Magazines: 7 days

Auto Renewal

At Bedford Hills and most other libraries within WLS, all eligible items are automatically renewed once, for the regular loan period, if there are no holds on the item.  Patrons are notified of autorenewals by email or text. 

Returns

Materials borrowed may be returned to any library that is part of the Westchester Library System unless specified otherwise. Items returned at the Bedford Hills Free Library may be brought inside or placed in the drop box by the main entrance unless otherwise noted.