FAQ
Borrowing
Generally, just bring your photo ID to either branch and say you want to get a card!
To get a card for a minor, a parent or other guardian will need to show their ID and accept responsibility for items checked out on the card.
You can also sign up for a temporary online card if you want to borrow digital material.
For more details, see the Get A Card section on our Library Services page.
If your library card is lost and you have no hope of finding it, just bring your ID to the library and we can give you a replacement card!
If you’re still looking and think it might turn up, just bring your ID to check out items until your card turns up.
The Round Lake Library and Malta Branch do not charge any fee for library card replacement.
Please note your new card will have a new barcode number, so you will have to change any auto-logins on your devices that have your old card number saved.
If you have a card from another library in the Southern Adirondack or Mohawk Valley Library Systems, we are able to provide a replacement, but recommend contacting them for a new card.
Physical items can be checked out at the library using either your library card or photo ID. If an item is on our shelf, it is available for anyone to check out, regardless of which library in the SALS or MVLS system your card was issued from or where you are a resident. If your account has overdue or lost items, or fines and fees over $10, you cannot borrow more items until the issue has been resolved.
Digital items can be borrowed from most internet-connected devices. You will need your library card number (under the barcode starting with 100, no spaces) and possibly a password (the last 4 digits of your phone number on file). See more details about specific apps on our Digital Services page or on that app’s website. Please note that some services are only available if you are registered at Round Lake Library, and if there are not more than $5 in fines on your account.
Log in at pac.sals.edu with your library card number (under the barcode starting with 100, no spaces) and password (the last 4 digits of your phone number). Go to Items Out under the My Account tab to see all of the items checked out on your account.
You can also call either branch of the library and ask!
Login at pac.sals.edu with your library card number (under the barcode starting with 100, no spaces) and password (the last 4 digits of your phone number). Go to Items Out under the My Account tab to either Renew All Items or Renew Selected Items.
Some items may be non-renewable if others have requested them or if the renewal limit has been reached. Please read the confirmation screen to ensure all items have renewed!
You can also call either branch of the library and ask to renew!
Books, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs, and most other items can be returned either inside or in the outdoor bookdrop at Clark House or the Malta Branch, as well as at any other public library in the SALS or MVLS systems.
Some items, such as the Eco-Explorer Backpacks, Try-It Kits, Lego Robotic Kits, and other items will not fit in the bookdrop and must be returned inside the same location from which the item was borrowed during open hours.
Search for items in Clark House or the Malta Branch through the catalog using keyword, title, author, etc. To search both Round Lake Library’s Clark House and Malta Branch locations at the same time, select All Items- Round Lake Libraries under the Limit By dropdown.
To search the holdings of a specific library/branch, select a location from the list in the upper left corner. To search the entire SALS/MVLS system, select All Libraries.
If you have already found an item by searching the catalog, use the Place Hold button, and log in with your library card number (under the barcode starting with 100, no spaces) and password (the last 4 digits of your phone number).
Please note that hold requests are not immediately available. You will receive a notification when they are available for pick-up, and have 7 days to pick up the held items.
You can also stop in or call either branch and we will search for items for you. If they are not currently available at that branch, we can request them from other libraries.
That depends!
If you are borrowing from OverDrive, we recommend installing the Libby app for Android or iOS devices. You can also access material in your browser at salon.sals.edu. See OverDrive’s Getting Started Guide or Troubleshooting page for more info.
To borrow from Hoopla, check out their FAQ page or dive right in on the Hoopla app for Android or Hoopla app for iOS.
Still having trouble? Visit one of our branches or contact us and we can set up a time to walk you through setup and use.
Some digital resources are only offered by a library for patrons registered at their library. Other services are specific to either SALS or MVLS.
To determine which library you are registered, log in at pac.sals.edu (username = barcode from your library card; password = last 4 digits of your phone number) then look for “Registered at:” on the My Record page.
Registration will default to the library service area within which you reside for all new and renewed cards. Previously, it was determined by the SALS or MVLS library you initially registered at.
SALS includes libraries in Warren, Washington, Saratoga and Hamilton counties, or see the complete list of SALS libraries here.
MVLS includes libraries in Fulton, Montgomery, Schenectady and Schoharie counties, or see the complete list of MVLS libraries here.
If you have items on hold, we offer curbside pickup.
You can also access digital services online at any time.
Damages & Fines
Renew items that are due to avoid late fees!
As of September 2021, we are no longer charging late fees on most items except:
- New & Popular Books (aka 14 Day Adult Books) are 20¢ per day overdue
- New DVDs and Blu-rays are $1 per day overdue
Having overdue items on your account will prevent further borrowing.
Items that are more than 30 days overdue will be considered Lost, and a replacement fee will be charged to the borrower’s account. This fee will be waived once the item is returned.
Late fees are not charged for days we are closed (Sundays, holidays, and emergency closings).
One day of late fees is waived for items returned in the bookdrop between closing and opening.
Please note that items returned at other libraries in the system will be charged late fees according to that library’s policy.
Fines for replacement costs can be paid at either branch of the library with cash, or with a check for amounts over $10.
We do not accept any credit or debit cards, and do not offer any online payment options.
Replacement fees for a lost or damaged item belonging to another library should be paid by check made payable to the owning library if possible, or with cash if a check is not available.
If an item you have checked out is damaged or in need of repair, please let us know!
Generally falling apart: If a book has loose or torn pages, detached binding, or other structural issues, do not try to repair the item yourself. We have a book repair magician specialist on staff who can seamlessly reattach pages, spines, covers, &c. so that they can keep circulating.
Please please please DO NOT apply Scotch, invisible, packing, washi, double-sided, or other tapes to the book! They don’t hold up to time or handling, and also make it harder for us to repair the item. We have pH-balanced glues, book and cloth tapes, and other specialized materials that are designed for book repair, and we’ll give the item whatever repairs it needs to get it back into circulation.
Water, liquid & food: If a book encounters water, other liquids, or food, wipe off the cover and blot as much liquid as possible from the affected pages with paper towels. Stand book upright and fan its pages to let it dry. Let us know what liquid the book was exposed to when you return it- we have ways to treat many stains and prevent mildew from growing. We especially need to know if blood gets on a book so we can disinfect it.
Chewed books: For books that have been chewed by a pet or small human, please bring us pictures of the little cutie when you return the book. We absolutely want to see them! If the damage to the book is not extensive we may be able to fix it up, but if there are significant portions missing there’s not a lot we can do.
If a disc will not play and just seems dirty, use a slightly damp lint-free cloth to gently wipe in small circles on the silver side of the disc. If this doesn’t do the trick, we have a special disc cleaning kit that might also work, so let us know when you return it.
For discs that are scratched, cracked or otherwise unplayable, let us know when you return it so it can be cleaned, resurfaced, or otherwise repaired if possible. For bookdrop returns, a note inside the case works. If there is more than one disc in the item, indicate which one needs attention.
Locations
The Malta Branch of the library is fully handicap accessible, as is the entire Malta Community Center.
Due to the historic nature of Clark House, the building is not handicap accessible. There are three steps up to enter the building, various narrow doorways throughout the building, and the second floor of the building including the public restroom is only accessible via a steep flight of stairs. If you need help with access, library staff can assist in opening doors, retrieving material, and bringing items out for curbside pickup. The outdoor bookdrop is located at ground level and can be used for most returns.
See map of public parking options around Clark House.
Please do not park in the road, as village roads are narrow and easily blocked.
The Malta Branch is located inside the Malta Community Center.
After turning off of Bayberry Drive into the parking lot, continue past the first lot on the right to the second lot on the left.
The Main Entrance is in the corner of this lot, behind the round stone planter, through the doors labelled “Gerald R. Winters Gymnasium”.
The library is to the left when you enter the building.
The Meeting Room in the Malta Branch can be reserved for work, study, meetings, tutoring and other activities for individuals and small groups by calling the Malta Branch. For more information see our Library Services page and the Meeting Room Policy.
Clark House has space upstairs available for similar use, but is not able to be reserved as it is non-exclusive and houses half of our collection.
Clark House has housed the library since 1897, although the building predates that.
Services
At this time, our printers do not allow for wireless printing from devices such as phones and laptops.
If you can email a file to yourself and open it on a public computer, you can print from there.
Yes, you can log in to your email on one of the library’s public computers and print.
Our computers do not allow files to be saved to protect patron privacy, so email attachments must be opened instead of downloaded.
Files can be printed from a USB flash drive as long as they are saved in an open format such as a .pdf file.
Program-specific formats such as those used for Microsoft Office (.doc_, .xls_, .ppt_) need to be opened in that program on a public computer for printing.
No, we cannot fax or scan to an email account.
Faxes can only be sent to a fax number.
Scans must be saved to a USB flash drive, and can then be emailed from your email account on our public computers.
Cash is accepted, as well as checks for amounts over $10.
We do not accept any credit or debit cards.
Programs
Our programs change depending on season and attendance, but we regularly host:
- book clubs
- knit & stitch group
- storytimes
- Lego clubs
- craft programs
See our Program Calendar for all of our upcoming events.
They’re FREE!
On very rare occasions we will have a program that requires a charge for material costs, but this will be clearly stated in the program’s listing and publications.
You do not need a library card to sign up for any of our programs.
Most of our programs are open to anyone who wants to attend without signing up.
If a program does require or request signup, it will be noted on the program’s listing and publicity.
Supporting the Library
Our biggest need for volunteers is in August when we have our annual book sale in the Round Lake Auditorium. Volunteers transport and organized the used books before and after the sale, as well as assisting with checkout during the sale.
Volunteers can also run their own programs at the library, or assist with existing programs.
If you would like to volunteer at the library or book sale, please fill out a volunteer form or youth volunteer form (for under 18) available at either branch.
At this time we are unable to accept large donations due to lack of storage space.
Limited donations of no more than one bag or small box per person per day are being accepted.
Popular, recently published books in excellent condition are much appreciated and are considered for addition to our collection.
Other books in resalable condition are accepted for our book shop, or our annual book sale (part of the Markets at Round Lake).
We do not accept:
- textbooks
- encyclopedia sets
- any materials in poor or unusable conditions (broken, torn, unbound, stained, musty, moldy, smoke or moisture damaged, etc)
- pamphlets, promotional material, etc.
To make a book donation, please visit one of our locations during operating hours.
Please do not put donations in the outdoor book returns or leave them outside the library.
Other than books, we accept donations of movies/shows on DVD or BluRay, and audiobooks on CD.
Both branches have collection boxes for eyeglass donation thru the Lion’s Club.
Craft items, office supplies, and educational toys may be accepted for library or programming use, but please check first, as our storage space is limited.
We DO NOT accept:
- VHS tapes
- cassette tapes
- records
- old computer program discs
- other obsolete formats
- large collections of old National Geographic or other magazines
- memorabilia, decorative, or other miscellaneous items unrelated to the library’s collections or programming