About Us: Library Services & Collections

Information for Visitors & Alumni

Use of Library Space

• Alumni, community borrowers, and other visitors are welcome and may use our books, periodicals, newspapers, and computers while in the library. 

Access to Electronic Resources

• Alumni, community borrowers, and other visitors may use subscription databases while visiting the library in person. See our complete list of databases via the link below.

Borrowing

Borrowing information for visitors is the same as for students, faculty & staff EXCEPT as follows:

Community Borrowers

• Adult Dutchess or Putnam County residents may register for community borrower status at the Ritz Library. A picture ID is required to verify residency. 
• Present your community borrower card each time you wish to borrow books.
• Borrow up to five books at a time.
• Normal borrowing period for circulating items is three weeks.
• Hot topics books may be borrowed for two weeks with no renewals. 
• If you are enrolled in credit courses at a Mid-Hudson area college or high school, you are not eligible for a community borrower card. However, you may use our materials in-house, or make interlibrary loan requests through your college or public library.

SUNY Open Access

• Open Access is an agreement among SUNY institutions that opens library resources on each campus to students, faculty and staff of all SUNY schools. To obtain SUNY Open Access privileges, bring your SUNY ID to the Circulation Desk to be registered for library access at DCC.
• Present your SUNY ID card each time you wish to borrow books.
• Open Access student borrowers may not borrow during intersessions; faculty and staff may borrow any time.

Alumni

• DCC alumni who wish to borrow library materials must apply at the DCC Foundation Office (Bowne Hall Room 103). Upon completion of the application you will be directed to Security where your ID card will be issued. 
• Each time you wish to borrow, you must present your DCC ID card.
• Alumni are limited to borrowing up to 5 books at a time.

Restrictions

Alumni, community borrowers, Open Access borrowers, and other visitors may NOT: 

• Place holds
• Place interlibrary loan requests
• Borrow iPods, Playaways, or Nooks
• Access library databases remotely