MyLibraryNYC is an innovative new pilot program for school and public libraries in New York City. It encourages student reading by expanding student and teacher access to public library books and removing common barriers to borrowing them.
MyLibraryNYC is:
Through our partnership with the NYC Department of Education, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library, we are pleased to offer expanded access to library resources and services through our Educator Cards. This card and its associated privileges is offered exclusively to Educators employed at schools participating in our pilot project with the DOE, now in its second year.
More Books! More Time! Less Fines!
Your new card includes a variety of unique privileges. Educator cardholders may:
How do I get one?
We are bringing the cards to you! Your employment at a school participating in this pilot program entitles you to an Educator Card. Speak to your School Librarian for details.
My colleagues at other schools are interested. What can I tell them?
Participation in the pilot is arranged through the DOE's Office of Library Services. For information on the potential participation of your school in the future, ask your School Librarian or Principal to contact that office directly.
What about my students?
Students at participating pilot schools are also being issued new library cards with their own set of unique privileges. Learn more from your School Librarian.
Tell me more about the union catalog!
Key to our collaborative efforts with schools throughout the 5 boroughs is the launch of a new union catalog. This catalog allows you to learn not only what resources are available at your school library, but at all NYPL locations. You can access the union catalog through your school's web page, or by following the instructions here.
First time users of the union catalog will be required to register for an account. Please make sure that your valid school e-mail address is attached to your account by clicking on the My Settings link at the top of the catalog homepage.
Once logged in, in addition to searching the catalog and requesting materials for delivery to your school, you can create content including reviews, book lists and preferred searches. Share this content with your students and colleagues through the catalog itself by encouraging them to "follow" your username or post your creations to a variety of social media outlets.
And teacher sets?
Teacher sets are pre-assembled collections of items on a given subject (e.g. Astronomy) or multiple copies of one item by the same author (e.g. Moby Dick), developed in collaboration by the library and DOE in accordance with the Common Core standards. Sets are available in a range of languages and reading levels. Use the union catalog to search for and request teacher sets and look for recommendations shared by NYPL as new sets become available.
All items in teacher sets should be returned to your School Librarian at the same time.
What else do I need to know?
Your card comes with many privileges unique to your status as an Educator employed at a participating pilot school and is intended for professional use only. If you do not already have a NYPL card for your personal use, we encourage you to apply at any NYPL location and ask staff to link the two cards for your convenience.
The following are some important details about the privileges associated with your Educator Card:
Borrowing Limits: up to 100 items may be checked out on your card at any time; 10 DVD and 5 teacher set maximum at once
Loan Periods: 60 day loan periods on books, audiobooks and teacher sets; standard loan periods on all other items (e.g. DVDs, CDs, magazines)
Renewals: up to 2 renewals possible on 60 day items, 10 on all other eligible items; subject to library restrictions governing renewals
Hold Requests: up to 50 holds allowed on eligible items; additional requests may be placed as items are checked out; please cancel any requests that you decide you no longer need
Checkouts: items requested through the union catalog will be delivered to your school already checked out to you; when they arrive at NYPL's processing center a notice will be e-mailed to you and the item should be available for pickup at your school library within 7 days of receiving this notice
Returns: return borrowed items to your School Librarian and they will be shipped back to NYPL; return items in advance of their due date to avoid late charges
Fines: books and teacher sets are exempt from fines; standard fine rates apply on all other items (e.g. DVDs, CDs, magazines); excessively delinquent accounts are subject to submission to NYPL's collection agency
Library Notices: will be e-mailed to you when a requested item is headed your way, when a borrowed item is nearing its due date and when an item is overdue; circulation privileges, including the ability to place holds and borrow or renew items, are suspended if you have received a second overdue notice for any item borrowed and the item must be returned to restore these privileges
Card Expiration: your card will expire on June 30th of the academic year; automatic renewal is subject to your continued employment at a participating pilot school
We realize that there is a lot involved with new service and the sheer volume of resources available to you may seem daunting at first. Here are a few helpful links to get you started:
Connect with NYPL to learn more about professional development opportunities for Educators, teaching tools, class visits and more: http://www.nypl.org/events/teaching-learning
Learn about upcoming library programs and events that may be of interest to you and your students: http://www.nypl.org/events
Access hundreds of online databases and search for content by subject, audience or language: http://www.nypl.org/collections/articles-databases
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