Temporary Library Cards and Expired Account Renewals
In light of the ongoing pandemic and State, Federal, and City directives to help lessen the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, all libraries are closed. Since we still want every person in our region to have access to library resources despite being stuck at home, we are currently allowing people who do not have a library card to sign up for our “Easy Access Card”. These cards are designed to expire sooner than regular cards, but allow us to renew them as needed. This allows people to access our collection of ebooks, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, and online learning tools free of charge while their local library remains closed to limit the spread of the virus. If you are a resident of Plattsburgh, you may head to Plattsburgh Public Library’s website to sign up for their own temporary card. Otherwise, if you are a resident of Clinton, Essex, or Franklin county, you can email us at info2@cefls.org with your full name, date of birth (including the year), and a photograph of a piece of mail sent to your address as proof of residency. We will reply to you with the proper information for you to access our online resources. You may visit your local library once they’ve reopened to be issued a regular library card.
If you already have a card that has expired, you can email us at info2@cefls.org with your card number and we can renew the card temporarily for the duration of the stay-at-home period. Of course, you can visit your local library once they’ve reopened to renew your card in full.
[CLICK TO READ MORE]Temporary Library Closures and Changes
The Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System is closed as of March 19th until at least April 6th. Staff will work from home as needed to keep up with communications, projects, and clerical work. Below are the libraries currently closed or changed their services in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus in an attempt to help prevent the spread of the virus, especially to the most at-risk populations. This list may change as events develop. If you have any questions regarding your local library, please contact them directly. Despite many physical locations being closed, online library resources are still available with ebooks and e-audiobooks from Overdrive, e-audiobooks from RBdigital, digital magazines from Flipster, and other online learning and research tools.
| Akwesasne Library and Cultural Center | Closed | Wi-Fi available with password found on library doors |
| Au Sable Forks Free Library | Closed | Call for curbside pickup, Wi-Fi available with password: Library1 |
| Belden Noble Memorial Library in Essex | Closed | Wi-Fi available with password: readbooksdaily |
| Black Watch Memorial Library in Ticonderoga | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Champlain Memorial Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available with password: Bluebook23 |
| Chateaugay Memorial Library | Closed until at least April 20th | Wi-Fi available with password: books4you |
| Chazy Public Library | Closed | Some services still available outside of building, including Wi-Fi |
| Dannemora Free Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Dodge Library in West Chazy | Closed | Wi-Fi available on DodgeLibrary network with password: books123 |
| Dodge Memorial Library in Rouses Point | Closed | Contact for checkout details and Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Elizabethtown Library | Closed | Some services still available outside of building, including Wi-Fi |
| Ellenburg Sarah A. Munsil Free Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Hammond Library in Crown Point | Closed until at least April 20th | Contact for checkout details and Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Keene Public Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available with password: KeenePLSummer10928 |
| Keene Valley Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building on Our_Guest network |
| Keeseville Free Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Lake Placid Public Library | Closed | Wi-Fi may not reach outside of building |
| Mooers Free Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Paine Memorial Library in Willsboro | Closed until at least April 20th | Wi-Fi available on Guests network with password: Freewifi2018 |
| Peru Free Library | Closed until at least April 21st | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Plattsburgh Public Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Saranac Lake Free Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Schroon Lake Public Library | Closed until at least April 20th | Wi-Fi available with password: BooksRKey! |
| Sherman Free Library in Port Henry | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Tupper Lake Goff-Nelson Memorial Library | Closed | Some services and Wi-Fi still available during normal hours |
| Wadhams Free Library | Closed for at least a few weeks | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Waverly Reading Center | Closed | Contact for checkout details and Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Wead Library in Malone | Closed until at least March 31st | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Wells Memorial Library in Upper Jay | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Westport Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
| Wilmington E.M. Cooper Memorial Library | Closed | Wi-Fi available outside of building |
Learn More about the COVID-19 Coronavirus
There’s a lot of information swirling around regarding the latest coronavirus spreading throughout the world. But where can you find reliable information on the topic? Head over to our guide at cefls.org/coronavirus to get the most up-to-date information on the virus along with the best tactics on how to reduce the spread.
[CLICK TO READ MORE]The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth
You already know that not everything you read on the Internet is true. But where can you go to find out whether an article is accurate or not? The folks at MakeUseOf have written up the excellent piece entitled The 8 Best Fact-Checking Sites for Finding the Unbiased Truth.
[CLICK TO READ MORE]How do I…?
Get a library card? The best way to get a library card is to visit your most convenient library in person. You can find a map or a list of libraries in our region, and click on a library to find out contact information and open hours. We encourage you to call the library of your choice and ask about obtaining a card. All New York residents are eligible to receive a free library card and library services, even if the town they live … [CLICK TO READ MORE]
In with the New….
Out with the old, goes the old saying. Several years ago, our library system got a brand new online catalog, called Enterprise. It replaced our Classic Catalog, (also known as Horizon Information Portal) but we have kept both operating. It’s now time to retire our Classic Catalog, because it has become hard for us to maintain and keep up to date and secure. We plan to retire the Classic Catalog the last week of 2019. If you still use it, … [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Smoking Prohibited within 100 Feet of Public Library Boundaries
New York passed a prohibition on smoking on the grounds of libraries which took effect on June 19, 2019. Public Health Law §1399-o was amended by adding a new subdivision 6 to read: 6. Smoking shall not be permitted and no person shall smoke within one hundred feet of the entrances, exits or outdoor areas of any public or association library as defined in subdivision two of section two hundred fifty-three of the education law; provided, however, that the provisions … [CLICK TO READ MORE]
New York Requires Sexual Harassment Prevention Training and Policies
Under a new law passed in 2018, employers must offer yearly sexual harassment prevention training required by the State of New York. All employees and Board members need to attend the training. Volunteers and interns are strongly encouraged to take the training. Any employee or Board member who does the training through another employer does NOT need to duplicate the effort—just show your completion certificate to your director or other person you’ve designated for tracking compliance. The initial deadline for … [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Tale of 3 Book Benches
In the tradition of the “Little Free Library,” and to support reading wherever we can, CEFLS has been placing some book benches around the area. The first one is at the Ted K. Center in Plattsburgh, and we recently restocked it! The second one is in Constable. One of our Bookmobile stops used to be right across the street. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by and borrow a book. The third and last book bench is … [CLICK TO READ MORE]
Celebrating 65 Years of Service!
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System! Please join us in celebrating by attending one of the free events taking place across our service area. Fun activities will take place from 2:00 – 4:00 pm with gifts, cupcakes, and ice cream while supplies last! Tuesday 8/6What: An 18′ inflatable slide will be part of the fun at this event!Where: Schroon Lake Beach Tuesday 8/13What: Face painting/balloon sculptures with Pipsqueak the Clown and karaoke will be featured!Where: … [CLICK TO READ MORE]