Library Cards
“When I got [my] library card, that was when my life began.”
— Rita Mae Brown

Get a card:

Visit us at the library or complete our full registration form at home and email or drop it off at the library.

Regular Cards:

Complete our digital library card registration form. This card gives you immediate access to our digital collections.

Then, come see us at the library to complete your registration and receive your permanent card. You must visit within a month or the card will be deleted.

Temporary Digital Cards:

Click here to sign up for a Digital Card

Library Card FAQs

  • Anyone who lives, owns property, works or attends school within the Town or Village of New Paltz is able to have an Elting Memorial Library card.

  • 1. You must present a valid photo ID

    2. Present one document to prove residency/ownership/enrollment in New Paltz:

    a lease, tax bill, school ID, voter registration card or valid ID from Ulster County Social Services

  • Our funding comes in part from the taxpayers of the Town and Village of New Paltz (85%) through a direct vote to our community. Additional funding is received through fundraising events, donations, grants, and gifts.

  • New Paltz taxpayers pay a small percentage of their school taxes to the Gardiner Library, therefore they are eligible for a Gardiner library card.

  • Yes! If you live, own property, work or go to school in New Paltz you can have a free card. If you don’t meet the above criteria, you can acquire a Non-Resident library card. There are two types of Non-Resident library cards: Free Non-Resident and paid Non-Resident ($25- the cost of a hardcover book). These cards have limitations regarding what services, resources, and collections may be accessed. Non-Residents can, for no fee, attend all of our programming and events, and use our public computers and meeting & study spaces. Visitors to our area can purchase a Visitor’s card for $15/three-month period. This card is perfect for those just here for the summer!

  • Due to the way zip codes are assigned, some Gardiner residents receive mailings from us when we conduct a paid mailing. We apologize for this, but do not have control of this list.

Your donation helps us provide many of our services, programs, resources, and collections to the community. We could not do this without your support.