FOIL Policy

FOIL Policy (PDF)
Approved, Library Board of Trustees (10/15/2024)

New York State’s Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §87 et.seq.) allows members of the public to access records of public libraries. FOIL provides a process for the review and copying of a library’s records. More information about the Freedom of Information Law can be found at: https://opengovernment.ny.gov/freedom-information-law.

Freedom of Information Requests for East Greenbush Community Library records may be made to:
Library Director
East Greenbush Community Library
10 Community Way
East Greenbush, NY 12061
director@eglibrary.org
518-477-7476

Fee for duplication of records: East Greenbush Community Library charges the statutorily permitted fee of $.25 per page for duplication of records requested under FOIL (Public Officers Law §87[1][b][iii]). Payment should not be submitted until you are notified that your request is granted and informed of the charge for your request.

Inspection of Records: East Greenbush Community Library records are available for inspection at no cost to the public. Requests must be in writing and addressed to the address above. The Library Director will acknowledge receipt within 5 business days. An appointment to inspect records can be scheduled at a mutually convenient date and time. Records or portions thereof which are prohibited from disclosure pursuant to FOIL will be redacted or omitted; the requestor will be notified of the reason(s) for the redaction(s). Inspection of records are by appointment during library hours.

FOIL Appeal Procedures: Any person denied access to a record may, within thirty days, appeal in writing to:

President, Library Board of Trustees
East Greenbush Community Library
10 Community Way
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Services Committee Recommended Board Approval (10/7/2024)
Approved, Library Board of Trustees (10/15/2024)

Subject East Greenbush Card UHLS Card UHLS MyCard
Library Card Registration Free to any individual who resides or pays taxes in the East Greenbush Community Library taxing district or Town of Schodack. Cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Free to any individual who volunteers or works at the EGRN Library. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Free to partner educational agencies with verified employment. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Those that live outside the UHLS area may purchase a temporary card at the price established by our Table of Fines and Fees. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 Free to residents residing in a community served by a UHLS library.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 The UHLS MyCard is a fine-free, limited-access library card for youth. It is intended to address multiple barriers to serving youth and families, including:

  • Barriers to access related to fines (e.g. computer access, checking out materials)
  • Parents not present for a child’s library card registration
  • Previous fines on a child’s card

Free for youth residing in a community served by a UHLS library.Applicants 18 and under who are applying for a limited use, UHLS Youth Only MyCard, need to provide name, address, and date of birth.UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.Youth ages birth to 18 can register unaccompanied, or with the help of a caregiver or relative who is not the child’s parent/guardian.This card may be used at all UHLS Libraries except for the Colonie Town Library.

Card blocked at $10 or more in replacement costs.

No fines for late items
Limits on # of Materials Borrowed Unlimited checkouts Unlimited checkouts Limited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of Items All eligible item types. All eligible item types except Museum Passes, ILL, and Hot off the Press. Active paid members of the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library have access to all lending collections. Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Databases/Digital Content EGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital content UHLS subscription databases and digital content Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary Loan Nationwide UHLS Libraries UHLS Libraries
Program Registration Unlimited except by limited program capacity Preference given to resident cardholders Preference given to resident cardholders