Using Library Cards from Places You No Longer Live

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QuizBowlNerd

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If you move to another town (sufficiently far away that you would never go to the physical library location and aren’t paying taxes to support it), is it unethical to continue to use an old library card to access digital materials?
 
I wouldn’t feel right about it. Why not get a library card at your new location?
 
I definitely plan to - it’s more of a theoretical question than anything else.
 
That would be fraudulent.
You probably signed some kind of agreement when you signed up for a card that you would surrender it when you moved.
 
QuizBowlNerd said:
If you move to another town (sufficiently far away that you would never go to the physical library location and aren’t paying taxes to support it), is it unethical to continue to use an old library card to access digital materials?
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I have to think so. Having been issued a library card by a jurisdiction, presupposes that you are paying taxes to that jurisdiction, to use the library in the first place. To use it after you’ve moved, is one step away from having lied about your residence to get the card in the first place (they usually ask to see documentation for such things). It might be justifiable if you’ve recently moved and have paid taxes in your old jurisdiction within the past year or so. If in doubt, consult your priest.

And no, I don’t think it would be a mortal sin. Not condoning it, just parvity of matter. As that great philosopher Steve Martin said, “the death penalty for parking tickets”.

(He had studied philosophy in college. So should everybody, at least a couple of courses.)
 
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Here’s a snippet of NYPL’s library card app:
When someone signs, they are declaring that all the info is correct, i.e. their address.
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
 
Best to not use identifications fraudulently.

However, if you’re in the US, the inter-library loan system can give you access to any book in any other US library that’s in the system.

So ask your lovely librarians the next time you drop in!
 
QuizBowlNerd said:
If you move to another town (sufficiently far away that you would never go to the physical library location and aren’t paying taxes to support it), is it unethical to continue to use an old library card to access digital materials?
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Here is my personal opinion on it: If you have followed the rules and regulations when signing up for the card and all the information was accurate at that time, then my guess is that it would be OK to use that card UNLESS it was stated on the application and registration materials that you are not permitted to use the card if you move outside of the region OR that you must turn in the card if you are outside of the region.
 
0Scarlett_nidiyilii said:
Best to not use identifications fraudulently.

However, if you’re in the US, the inter-library loan system can give you access to any book in any other US library that’s in the system.

So ask your lovely librarians the next time you drop in!
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Great idea! In the year 2020 I wouldn’t have thought of that.

I seldom if ever use a library. Most things are available online, and if I really want to read a certain book, chances are I can get it on Kindle for a few dollars, not much difference from the gasoline and car wear-and-tear that I’d incur, if I drove to the library downtown (1/2 hour away). I don’t like the suburban branches, too much rigamarole to get items from the main library or other branches. Older texts are available via various Internet archives, Project Gutenberg, and so on.
 
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I haven’t read the replies, but I don’t think so. You lived in the town and paid your property taxes toward the library, either as a homeowner or as a cost you ate up when you paid rent. They issue cards and digital access to expire at a certain time, and I don’t see any issue with using this privilege until said date.

Is there a particular resource available at your old library? Please contact your new library about it. I’ve never met a librarian who didn’t take his/her job seriously and love feedback. Besides, you don’t get what you don’t ask for! 😎
 
If the OP is planning to use his old card for digital purposes (free ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, e-movies, free song downlads, etc) those contracts are generally limited to location. So for libraries that offer a “subscription card” to people who live outside the service area, those digital services are typically not included. So, yes, he is technically using his old card fraudulently.
 
QuizBowlNerd said:
If you move to another town (sufficiently far away that you would never go to the physical library location and aren’t paying taxes to support it), is it unethical to continue to use an old library card to access digital materials?
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Call the library and ask them. If they say yes, you’re good. If they say no, then get a card from your new town’s library.
 
I have worked at a library for three years now.

It varies by state, but typically library cards have expiration dates. Your card has been provided to you up until that expiration date.

Honestly, if you are only using the card to access online materials I wouldn’t worry about it too much! As some people mentioned above, you can call your old library and ask what they think. 95% chance they will tell you to just let the card expire.
 
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So- you can pay a fee and get a library card for places you don’t live and have never lived and access e-books. My husband has a Free Library of Philadelphia card and neither of us has ever lived there or in Pennsylvania. If you still have an active card and don’t live there- then you can go on-line and donate to the library in question and then have no guilt in continuing to use the card.
 
I don’t know about other places, but I got my card at the library of the former city I lived in.

However, the card is valid in the entire part of the state, so the new town accepts the card.

Also, they told me that the library where you take out books and such, gets the revenue for the service, not my former library.
 
Interesting question. Where I live in western Canada my public library card is honored throughout the entire province and can even be used in neighboring ones. I would think as long as the books get returned there is no issue or, in the case you raised, accessing digital material. There is no additional cost to the library no matter how many people view their online stuff.
 
Every library system is different. Some do not want former residents to continue to check out books.

Others, only grant membership to residents, but once you are a member, you are a member for life (even if you move).

Point is: if you are concerned about whether it is moral or not, simply call your library and ask. If they say you need to turn in (or cut up) your library card, then do it. If they say you can continue to use it, then use it.

BTW - many library systems in the United States today are receiving a large percentage of their funding from the County or State govts. Yes, the local govt might have founded the library & continues to give them some funding, but in many areas today, the Counties & States are providing far more funding since libraries are expensive to run. Also, many town libraries have also created “library cooperation groups” where you are a member at all the libraries in the group.

Point is, call your library, see what they say, and do whatever they tell you.

God Bless
 
Libraries often offer cards to nonresidents for a fee – which can range from the nominal to the absurd. The library I work in only asks for a one-time fee of $10, while a city ten times our size demands a $100 yearly fee for nonresidents to access theirs. If you are borrowing ebooks from a place you no longer live in, you could always absolve your conscious by giving them a donation. 😉 Honestly, most librarians I know are just gratified to know that SOMEONE is making use of the information: a lot of my research time is spent helping people who live across the country.
 
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