Do you accept book donations?
We gladly accept donations of books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, records, books on CD, computer software, and games year-round. We are unable to accept magazines, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, encyclopedias, or damaged books.
Where to Donate
Donations are accepted at the back of the Community Center (door next to brown shipping container) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Donors should ring the doorbell to alert Sorting Room staff to their presence. Donations must be placed into the custody of Sorting Room staff and not simply dropped off.
Donation Drop-Off Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Can I reserve a library item?
Place an Item on Hold from Another Library
You may place an item on hold from the Monroe County Library System catalog to have it sent to the MCLS library branch of your choice. Some libraries charge fees for items placed on hold - please check with your library of choice ahead of time.
Reserve an Item on the Shelf at Penfield Public Library
Call the Information Desk at (585) 340-8720 to reserve an item currently on the shelf at Penfield and have it held for you free of charge.
Borrow an Item from Outside of the MCLS
Find out how you can borrow an item that's not listed in the Monroe County Library System catalog via an interlibrary loan.
Do you offer free computer and/or internet access?
Public Computers
Come use a computer to browse the web, work on projects, and more! You may use your Monroe County Library System card to log in or you may pick up a guest pass at the Information Desk if you do not have a library account.
Laptops
Use your library card to check out a laptop at the Information Desk to use in the library.
Wifi
Come enjoy high-speed wireless access on your mobile device. Connect to the network titled "Penfield Library"; no password required.
For how long can I borrow materials?
Most books, CDs, books on CD, Playaways, CD-ROMs, kits, holiday items, and magazines can be borrowed for three weeks. Many of those items may then be renewed for another three weeks, provided no other patrons have requested that title.
New adult fiction books may be borrowed for three weeks and are not renewable. Speed reads and museum passes may be borrowed for one week; nonrenewable.
Most DVDs and Blurays may be borrowed for one week and are renewable. Multiple-disc DVDs and Blurays (e.g., a season or set of a TV series) may be borrowed for two weeks and are not renewable. Up to ten Penfield DVDs or Blurays may be checked out to a patron's account at any given time.
Video games may be borrowed for one week and are renewable; each family may have up to three games checked out at any given time.
Build Your Own Book Club books and tote bags may be borrowed up to eight weeks; nonrenewable.
I forgot to bring my library card with me to the library; can I still check out items?
Yes, you may check out library as long as you can provide circulation staff with photo ID and proof of address (e.g. up-to-date driver's license, passport + car registration, school/work photo ID + utility bill, etc.).
I can't find my library card; how do I get a replacement?
You may request a new library card at the Circulation Desk. There is a $1.00 replacement cost which can be paid at the time of the replacement or applied to your library account to be paid at a later date. Please be prepared to present photo identification with your name and proof of address on it (e.g., driver's license, passport + car registration, car registration + picture ID, etc.).
Stolen Library Cards
If your library card has been stolen, report it immediately by calling either (585) 428-8180 or your local library. You are responsible for any materials borrowed until the theft is reported. Upon presenting photo identification and proof of address, you may purchase a replacement card for $1.00.
I don't live in Monroe County; can I still get a library card?
Yes! You can apply for an out-of-county library card at the Circulation Desk at PPL or you can apply online. Learn more about how out-of-county library cards work, why they have a fee, and which libraries can issue out-of-county cards in person.
How much are overdue fees for items that I return late?
Overdue fees vary throughout the Monroe County Library System. At Penfield Public Library, each item accrues $0.35 per day past the due date. An item accrues a maximum amount before it is listed as "lost" in the system. Once an item is listed as "lost", the account it is checked out to is automatically charged the replacement cost of the item and a $5.00 processing fee. If a cardholder accrues $20.00 or more in fees, the account will be suspended until the balance is paid to under $20.00.
Maximum Fine Amounts
Adult Hardcover Books, DVDs & Blu-rays, Video Games, Book Discussion Materials: $7.00 maximum
Young Adult Hardcover Books, Adult & Young Adult Paperback Books; Adult Magazines, Adult CDs, Playaways, CD-ROMs: $5.00 maximum
Young Adult Magazines, Children's Hardcover & Paperback Books, Children's Magazines, Children's Cassettes, Children's CDs, Children's Audio & Leapfrog Kits: $3.00 maximum
What is a collection fee?
A collection fee of $20.00 is applied when a cardholder's account reaches $35.00 and over in fees. It is the policy of the Monroe County Library System to submit patron accounts which have reached the $35.00 threshold to a collection agency.
Can my account keep track of what items I've checked out in the past?
Yes, you can enable your library account to track your loan history by logging in to your Monroe Count Library System account and selecting "Opt-In & Notifications" from the "Account Summary" page. Under "Loan History Opt-In", check the box for "Loan History" and click "Save" at the bottom of the page. From this point forward, your loan history will be trackable by you. Please note: this feature cannot retrieve your loan history from before the time you opt in.
I think I've lost a library item; what happens now?
Contact the library that owns the item to find out what its policy is regarding lost items. If you don't know the owning library, you may contact any library branch with your library card number at hand to find out. If you believe you have lost a Penfield Public Library item, please call the Circulation Desk at (585) 340-8720, and we will be happy to assist you.
What happens if an item is returned with damage or missing a part?
Damaged Items
An item returned with damage will be forwarded to the library that owns the item to be assessed by a staff member. The staff member will then contact the cardholder. The item will remain checked out to the account for this period of time.
Items Returned Missing a Part
Items returned missing a part (e.g., a DVD case returned without the disc) will be forwarded to the library that owns the item. A staff member of the owning library will then contact the cardholder. The missing pieces must be returned directly to the owning library (e.g., if you return a Penfield DVD case at Brighton, you must then return the corresponding disc directly to Penfield). The item will remain checked out to the account for this period of time.
Why is an item I returned still showing up on my account?
An item returned with damage or missing a part will remain checked out to the patron's account, and a library staff member will be in touch to help remedy the situation. To find out why your item might still be checked out to you, or to request assistance with your case, please call us at (585) 340-8720.
Does my library card expire?
For Monroe County residents, registration will expire yearly and will be updated automatically if your card is in good standing and has been used recently. If your registration expires, you will receive an email notification and will be asked to verify your information and present ID upon visiting the library.
For out-of-county library card holders, you can renew your card at the Circulation Desk at PPL or renew it online.
What do I do if my address or phone number changes?
Please notify us if your address or phone number changes. You may update your contact information online or by phone at (585) 340-8720.
