Adelson Library circulation policy for Cornell University staff, students, faculty and proxy borrowers conforms to that 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.

Adelson Library "Privilege Card"  

Eligibility
Adelson Library accepts Cornell library cards from non-Cornell persons (including Spring Field Ornithology students and Cornell Lab of Ornithology volunteers) who meet 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).

Acquiring a Privilege Card
To acquire a privilege card, which is accepted at Adelson and the other Cornell statutory libraries (see list below), please apply in person at the Mann Library circulation desk on the Cornell campus. You will be asked to fill out a short application form (Adelson Library can supply you with a blank form). Also, you'll need to present two forms of photo ID to establish your identity, including your NY State driver’s license as proof of residency.

The card will be made at the time of the request, as long as authorized staff is available. In the event of their absence, your card will be made the next business day and mailed to the local address provided. You may also request that the card be held for you at the circulation desk should you not want it mailed.

(Note: SFO students who are Cornell University staff or faculty do not require a special Adelson Library card. Your staff ID will serve as your library card.)

Borrowing Privileges
Privilege 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 privilege card is good for one year. Arrangments may be made to renew this card.
• The regular loan period for an Adelson Library privilege card holder is four weeks. Borrowing privileges are for books only; they do not extend to journals or other item types.
• Adelson Library privilege card holders are permitted to have up to 20 books on loan at one time.
• Books may be renewed as long as there are no blocks on your account or outstanding requests against a book.
• Privilege card holders cannot recall items from other patrons. Any item may be recalled from privilege card holders at any time for a course reserve, or if requested by a Cornell patron.
• Privilege 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 return.

Patron Blocks
A privilege 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 privilege card application.  The library will send notices via email if provided on the application. 

Fine rates
For details about current fine rates, please see Mann Library's FAQs - Billing, Fines, and Payments. Fines may not be paid in person at Adelson Library.

Other Cornell Borrower Cards
Persons who are not directly associated with Cornell, including but not limited to staff/faculty spouses and domestic partners, visiting scholars, and Cornell alumni may obtain a Cornell borrower card at Olin Library. In contrast to the privilege card for Cornell statutory libraries, the borrower card entitles the user to borrow from any Cornell library, and the full range of item types may be borrowed (books, bound serials, media, etc.). Depending on one's status, a fee may be charged for the card. For more information, please call (607) 255-5069.

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 or (254-2165).