Thank you for becoming a member of the Library. We are a private, independent non-profit organization that relies on membership fees, donations, and grants to maintain our day-to-day activities and programs. These membership Terms and Conditions help ensure that all who use the Library have an enjoyable experience. If you need clarification, please ask a staff member at the Member Services desk.

Your Library card is necessary in order to access the Library and its resources; members must badge in each time the Library is accessed. Cards are nominative and non-transferable and may only be used by the person to whom they have been issued. Cardholders are responsible for late fees or losses incurred for materials borrowed on their cards. At the time of membership renewal, all fines must be paid in full, all claims resolved, and lost books paid for or returned. Borrowing privileges will be suspended for late fees in excess of 5€ or five or more claims. There is a 5€ charge to replace a lost or damaged card. Upon presentation of a police report, no charge will be incurred for the replacement of a stolen card.

The loan period for all materials is three weeks. Items will be renewed once automatically for an additional three weeks provided the item has not been requested by another member. Senior members are granted an additional renewal (for the second renewal, contact the Library). Materials may be renewed online at americanlibraryinparis.org by clicking on “My Account” under the “Using the Library” heading. Overdue materials may be renewed by email, by phone, or in person; accrued fines will be applied. Materials may only be returned during opening hours. Materials returned after the due date will be charged a 0,20€ fee per item per Library working day.

Please treat our materials and facility with care. Refrain from folding down the corners, writing in the margins, highlighting, or underlining passages in materials. Take care to avoid marring or damaging furnishings and equipment. The person responsible for damage incurred will be held liable for any repair or replacement fees. Members are responsible for returning items to the Library in the same condition in which they were borrowed and for informing staff members of any existing damage to materials at the time of borrowing. Members will be charged the cost of replacement plus an 8€ processing fee for lost or damaged items. Damage that may require replacement includes, but is not limited to, markings, tears, stains, and that caused by liquids. Members must not attempt to repair materials. We cannot accept replacement or substitute material.

Members may have up to 5 item requests on their account at one time. You will be notified by e-mail when the item becomes available and it will be held for 7 working days.

All users are expected to use the Library’s internet access in a legal and responsible manner consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which it is provided. Public computer use is limited to two hours per member per day.

The Reading Room is a silent space; talking, whispering, and socializing are not permitted. Every effort should be made to minimize disruptions to the working environment.

For sanitary reasons, no food or beverage other than water may be consumed in the Library. Talking on mobile phones is prohibited throughout the Library. Please make and receive calls outside the building.

Parents and legal guardians are responsible for their children while in the Library and must accompany them at all times. Any restriction of minors’ access to materials or the Internet is the sole responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Scooters may be parked behind the card badging mechanism at the Library entrance, or at the entrance to the children’s section, where strollers should be parked. 

Please review our Children in the Library Policy, available on the Library’s website and in the Children’s Library.

The Library does not accept responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, personal property or equipment, however caused.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate pets other than service animals.

Causing a disturbance or engaging in any behavior that interferes with Library activities will not be tolerated. Proscribed behavior includes, but is not limited to, verbal abuse, threats of violence, harassment of any kind, whether of a patron, staff, or volunteer, as well as impinging upon or endangering other users’, members’, or staff’s comfort, health, safety, or enjoyment of the facilities. Any member or user committing such an offense is subject to sanctions, including being asked to leave the Library premises and/or having the use of the Library or membership revoked.

By completing a Membership Application Form, or purchasing a Day or Week Pass, members certify that the information they provide is true and correct, and that they will respect all of the Library’s Terms and Conditions of Membership and Use detailed above. The Library reserves the right to refuse service to anyone not complying with these rules. The Library also reserves the right to revoke or cancel the membership of anyone not complying with these rules.

American Library in Paris memberships are non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable. Annual memberships are valid for 12 (twelve) consecutive months and will not be refunded once activated. Short-term memberships are valid for 4 (four) consecutive months and will not be refunded once activated. Short-term memberships may be upgraded to annual memberships anytime before they expire.

Memberships that have been revoked or canceled by the Library may be renewed solely at the discretion of Library management.

If the Library is forced to close its facility for any length of time due to a force majeure, natural disaster, security threat, health and safety concern, or governmental decree, no reimbursements or extensions for membership will be issued. The Library will do its utmost to provide virtual services during such an event.

Reviewed August 2020, updated December 2020