Adelson Library circulation policy for Cornell University staff, students,  faculty and proxy borrowers conforms to those of Mann Library with a few minor exceptions. Click here to read the Mann Library circulation policy. 

Minor exceptions:

• Adelson Library allows one week loans for media.
• Adelson Library allows current periodical issues to circulate within the Lab of Ornithology for one day.

A Cornell University identification card serves as your library card. The Adelson Library does not accept New York State resident borrower cards.

Adelson Library Borrower Card  

Eligibility
Adelson Library provides a free library borrower card for non-Cornell affiliated Spring Field Ornithology students and all Cornell Lab of Ornithology volunteers meeting the following criteria:

• Patron is a New York State resident with a valid driver's license.
• Patron is not a student at a private university or college.
• Patron is not a high school student (under 18).

SFO Borrower Cards
In 2005 the Adelson Library pilot tested a borrower card program for Spring Field Ornithology students. The test went very well and will be continued indefinitely. SFO students who are Cornell University staff or faculty do not require a special Adelson Library card. Your staff ID is your library card. All other SFO students will have the opportunity to get a library card at an early class session.

Acquiring a Library Card
To acquire a borrower card, you may apply in person at the Adelson Library. You will be asked to fill out a short application form and present your NY State driver’s license as proof of residency.

The card will be made at the time of the request but, will take at least one business day to activate.

Borrowing Privileges
Adelson Library card holders may only charge books from the Adelson Library and the statutory college libraries at Cornell University: Mann Library, Flower-Sprecher Veterinary Library, Comstock Memorial Library of Entomology, Frank A. Lee Library at Geneva and Martin P. Catherwood Library of Industrial and Labor Relations.

• The borrower card is good for one year. Arrangments may be made to renew your library card.
• The regular loan period for an Adelson Library borrower card holder is four weeks. Borrowing privileges do not extend to journals.
• Adelson Library borrower card holders are permitted to have 20 items on loan at one time.
• Library card holders may renew books as long as there are no blocks on their account or outstanding requests against the book.
• Library card holders cannot recall items from other patrons. Any item may be recalled from library card holders at any time for a course reserve, or if requested by a Cornell patron.
• Library card holders may place a hold on a desired item. Placing a hold will not change the due date, but will route the item to you upon returned.

Patron Blocks
A library card holder’s borrowing privileges will be blocked if the borrower:

• owes library fines of $150 or more
• fails to respond to one recall request
• has more than 15 overdue items
• has an expired account

Overdue Notices & Fines
Overdue notices are sent to the address provided on the application.  The library will send notices via email if provided on the application. 

2008 Fine rates

• Regular book 75 cents each day
• Video recordings $2.00 each day
• Binoculars 4 cents/min ($2.40/hr)
• Recalled item $3.00 each day

For further information about Adelson Library borrower cards, fines and fees, or to request a renewal of a library card, please contact Adelson Library at Adelson_Lib@cornell.edu (254-2165).