Library Information – Ballston Spa Public Library

Library Hours (Until Further Notice): Tuesday & Wednesday: 10am-5pm, Thursday: 12pm-7pm, Friday: 10am-5pm, Saturday: 10am-5pm

Directions: The library is located on Route 50 in the center of the village of Ballston Spa. It can also be reached from the Adirondack Northway. From exit 12, take Route 67 heading west and north. This route briefly joins Route 50. At the point where Route 67 again veers west, away from route 50, follow it onto West High St. Then, make an immediate right onto Low St. Halfway down the block, on the right, is the library parking lot. Handicap access is available through the Northside entrance elevator door.

Approaching from the north, take Northway exit either 13N or 13S. Following 13N, immediately cross the highway and turn left onto Old Post Road, and follow it to the end, which is Malta Ave. If you choose 13S, continue south until you reach the intersection with Malta Ave. Extension. Then turn right. Malta Avenue leads directly to Route 50. Turn left there (south) and proceed 1 block to Front St., which will be on your right. Turn here, then make an immediate left by the statue. This is Low St. Halfway down the block on the left is the library parking lot.

From the west follow Route 67 East, into the village, until signs warn that you are approaching the junction with Route 50. Look for Low St. on the left, 1 block BEFORE this junction. The library parking lot is halfway up the block on the right.

Library Background: The Ballston Spa Public Library was chartered in 1893 by the State of New York, to serve the residents of the village of Ballston Spa. It existed in various locations throughout the village, until a permanent home was built for it in 1959. An addition was put on in 1971. Then in 2005, the library had been remodeled. 2008, an elevator was installed. The current building is two stories, which is fully handicapped accessible. The Village of Ballston Spa now has approximately 5,556 residents, and is the county seat of Saratoga County.

Today only about 1/3 of the people who use the library are village residents. Another third reside in the adjacent township of Milton. The remainder come primarily from the townships of Malta, Ballston, Galway and Charlton.

Between 60 and 90% of library funding still comes from the village in any given year. The towns of Milton and Charlton are regular contributors, as is the Ballston Spa Central School District, via budget proposition. A small amount is received annually from Saratoga County.

Library Policies: Loans

There is no cost for a Library card. Proof of identity is necessary. A valid driver’s license, State ID, or a Passport is now required to obtain a library card. A parent’s signature is required of children under 17. Parent must have an ID. Returns may be deposited in the Book Bank when the building is closed. Limit of 50 items per card.

Fines are 5 cents per day per overdue book, audio book, or music excluding days the library is closed. The maximum fine per item is $3.00. There is a a limit of 10 Music CD’s/audio books per borrower. Fines for overdue pamphlets, catalogs or magazines are 5 cents per day, maximum of $3.00. Retired patrons who are registered at the Ballston Spa Public Library are not required to pay overdue fines! A phone fee of 25 cents or the cost of postage is charged for notifying borrowers of items more than two weeks late.

Library material requests may be made online, in person, or by telephone. Patrons are notified via phone or email when requests arrive and are held for one week. Most books, audio books, music, magazines are loaned out for 4 weeks. However, New & Popular adult fiction/non-fiction releases go out for 2 weeks. Playaways may be borrowed for up to 4 weeks, but not renewable. All items excluding New release books and movies, may be renewed by phone, online or in person.

DVD’s & Videos

All DVD’s/videos are loaned out for 1 week with all but new (designated with a “new” sticker on the spine) are allowed 1 renewal as long as there is no outstanding requests. There is a limit of 5 videos/DVD’s PER HOUSEHOLD. Movies are not renewable. Borrowers under the age of 17 must have parent/guardian permission. For movies the late charge is $2.00 per day, maximum $10.00.

Computers

We are Wireless! The wireless connection was funded through the Friends of the Library. Although printers are not available to connect to your laptop, they may be in the future. A Library Web Catalog computer for patrons to use is available. There are 4 Public Computers available. Road Runner Internet access is provided courtesy of Time Warner Cable. All have Windows XP including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. We have Black & White Laser Printers. Prints are .10 per page.

Acceptable Computer Use Policy

Sign up for computer usage at the circulation desk. You need wither a SALS or MVLS library card or a valid I.D. A two-hour session is granted per day. This session may be taken at one time (as long as no one is waiting) or broken up into 2 sessions.
If you are under 17, you will need the signed permission of a parent or guardian.
You must stay at the assigned computer workstation.
If you experience computer problems during your session get a staff member to assist you immediately. Do not try to fix the computer.
Do not log off or turn off the computer.
Downloading any programs is not allowed.
*Discs, flash drives, CD-R/Ws are now allowed to be used for opening and/or saving documents but not for running programs.
Usage of chat rooms, instant messaging etc. that leads to cyber bullying is not allowed.
Displaying pornography websites constitutes public lewdness and is not allowed on our computers or your own laptop.
Violators of these rules will result in a warning. Upon a second offense of computer rules, patrons will forfeit computer privileges. If you have any questions consult with the library staff.
You are responsible for what you print. Prints are .10 per page.