Welcome to the American Library in Paris!

Thank you for becoming a member, or for just enjoying the Library for the day. Please familiarize yourself with the following policies so that you may contribute to the vibrant, welcoming, and comfortable environment we strive to provide for all Library users.

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.

By completing a Membership Application Form, or purchasing a Day 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 here. 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 twelve (12) consecutive months and will not be refunded once activated. Short-term memberships are valid for four (4) consecutive months and will not be refunded once activated. Short-term memberships may be upgraded to annual memberships anytime before they expire. It is not possible to suspend a membership and resume it at a later date.

Memberships that have been revoked or canceled by the Library may be renewed solely at the discretion of Library management.

Your Library card is necessary in order to access the Library and its resources; members must badge in each time they enter the facility. Cards are nominative, non-transferable, and may only be used by the person to whom it has been issued. Cardholders are responsible for overdue fines and lost item fees incurred for materials borrowed on their card. At the time of membership renewal, all outstanding charges must be paid in full, all claims resolved, and lost items returned or resolved. Borrowing privileges will be suspended for outstanding charges in excess of 5€ or five or more claims. There is a 5€ charge to replace a lost or damaged card. There is no charge to replace a stolen card if a police report is presented.

The loan period for all materials is three (3) weeks. Items will be renewed automatically for an additional three (3) weeks provided the item has not been requested by another member. Senior members are granted an additional three-week renewal. To request this second renewal, contact the Library. Items out and renewals remaining can be consulted 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; we do not have an after-hours drop box. Materials returned after the due date will be charged a 0,20€ fee per item per Library working day.

Please treat our materials with care. Refrain from folding down the corners, writing in the margins, highlighting, or underlining passages in items from our print collection. 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 pre-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 should not attempt to repair materials themselves. We cannot accept replacement or substitute material.

Members may have up to five (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 seven (7) working days.

All users are expected to use the Library’s internet connection 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.

Neat snacks and drinks should be consumed in the Members’ Lounge or Teen Mezzanine. Only water bottles are permitted throughout the Library.

Please make and receive calls outside the building. Unaccompanied teens may make brief calls to caregivers from the Teen Mezzanine.

The Teen Mezzanine is intended for users ages 12 to 18. However, adults may enter to select books from our Young Adult collections.

The Florence Gould 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.

Take care to avoid marring or damaging furnishings and equipment. The person responsible for any intentional damage will be held liable for repair or replacement costs.

Parents and legal guardians are responsible for their children while they are in the Library. Children under 6 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 can explore the Children’s Library independently, if an adult remains on the premises. Children 12 and older may use the Library’s services and facilities alone.

Any restriction of minors’ access to materials or the Internet is the sole responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

Scooters and strollers may be parked inside the Library’s main entrance or at the entrance to the children’s section. However, the Library is not responsible for unattended possessions.

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 welcome 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 privileges revoked without reimbursement.

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 and updated August 2024