Borrowing Policy

REGISTRATION

Any legal resident of Massachusetts of a certified public library can apply for a library card at no charge.

A certified library meets the minimum standards set by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) according to Massachusetts General Law 605 CMR 4.01. Individuals whose primary residence is in a Massachusetts community where the library has been decertified will not have borrowing privileges at the Whitinsville Social Library

Out-of-state residents may apply for a library card on a case-by-case basis as determined by the Shift Supervisor at no charge. Out-of-state residents must have an ongoing purpose to be in the area and seek to use the library’s physical collection. Out-of-state cards are not provided for the purpose of access to digital collections.

If an applicant already has a CW MARS account, they are eligible for a replacement card, instead of a new account.

Potential new patrons 18 years and older with Massachusetts residence in a municipality with a certified library may be able to sign up for access to Whitinsville Social Library’s e-resources using the link on the library’s website via CW MARS. This e-card can be converted to a library account with physical borrowing privileges when the patron visits WSL in person.

• If 18 or over, the applicant must show a photo ID and proof of current address
• If under the age of 18, the applicant must have their registration cards signed by a parent or legal guardian and the parent or legal guardian must show a photo ID and proof of current address OR an active CW MARS library card.
• Parent or legal guardian of a minor assumes responsibility for materials checked out on the child’s card.

Proxy Registration – Proxy registration is a 2 step process. Proxy registration for a minor can be completed by a person not a parent or guardian under the following conditions.

1. The Proxy has an ongoing, formalized relationship to the minor. Babysitters, grandparents, nannies have such relationships, while neighbors do not.
2. A juvenile application is given the Proxy, with a Proxy signature sticker added on the back with a list of borrowing rules of the library.
3. Proxy returns application with signature of minor’s parent or guardian and shows their own picture id/library card.
4. A card is created for the minor in the regular fashion.

USE OF LIBRARY CARD

For your protection, account security and the most efficient service for yourself and fellow patrons, WSL asks you to have your card ready each time you check out library materials.

As a courtesy, when a patron forgets their card, a photo ID such as a valid driver’s license may be used on occasion. Children without their library card or photo ID can borrow materials if accompanied by a parent with a valid CW MARS library card or picture ID.

Patrons may authorize an individual access to their library account.  For Library Staff to access the account without the cardholder present, the approved individual must show Library Staff their ID or the cardholder’s library card. Authorization must be noted in the patron’s library account with the authorized individual’s first and last name.

LOAN POLICIES

Whitinsville Social Library follows the loan periods and items limits of our network, CW MARS. If the CW MARS Policies are charged with approval of CW MARS Members, which is required, then WSL’s policy will be updated too without additional approval of the Trustees.

Overdue Fines:

• Museum passes - $1 fine per day. Maximum fine is $10.
• Telescope and Hotspots - $1 per day. Maximum fine is $5.
• There is no maximum fine per card.
• Books, movies, magazines, and many other items in the collection do not accrue late fines.
• If any item is not returned 28 days after their due date the items will be marked Lost and the cost to replace those items will be billed on the patron’s account.

Loan Periods:

• 1 week with 1 renewal – Movies
• 2 weeks with no renewals - Hotspots, Telescope, Popular Reads, some items in the Library of Things.
• 3 weeks with 1 renewal – Books, Juvenile Movies, DVD series, Audiobooks, Music, Magazines, etc
• Additional renewals are limited to special circumstances.

Limits

• All items, limit 50
• Holds, limit 20

Limits on Specific Types of Items

• CDs, limit 20 items
• Movies, limit 20 items
• Audiobooks, limit 20 items
• Museum passes, the telescope, and hotspots can only be borrowed by patrons 18 and older.
• Downloadable items, limit 10 items

Library Accounts are Blocked When:

• Registration has expired.
• $10.00 or more is owed in fines, replacement costs, etc.
• Items have been billed as lost materials (after 4 weeks late)
• 50 or more items are checked out.

RENEWALS

• On July 1, 2019 autorenewal was introduced by CW MARS. If a borrowed item has a renewal left on it and the patron’s account is in good standing it will automatically renew on its due date.

• Renewal by phone is possible during business hours. Renewal requests left on the answering machine may not be completed.

•  Most items have one renewal. If a patron wants to extend an item longer contact library staff during business hours. An extension on an item’s due date is not guaranteed depending on several factors including the item’s popularity.

• WSL cannot provide a due date extension on materials from another library. Patrons should contact the item’s owning library to request an extension.

OVERDUE ITEMS & BILLS

Each patron is responsible for all materials checked out on his or her card. In the case of a minor, the adult whom signed the minor’s registration card is responsible for all materials checked out on the child’s card. All fees, including but not limited to replacement costs and fines will be assessed to the person whose name appears on the card or their parent or legal guardian. When fees reach $10.00, a library card cannot be used. A patron can pay in full or partially to get their account under $10.00, except for replacement costs, which must be paid in full.

Bills are generated by approximately one month (30 days) after the item(s) become overdue. Bills are reviewed weekly.

• Staff checks the shelves to be certain that items have not been inadvertently shelved without being checked in.
• After checking the shelves, printed bills are mailed to the most recent mailing address on the patron’s account when an email address is not included in the library card record. When an email is present, the patron received an emailed notification of the lost item(s).
• Once the bills are generated, the status of the item(s) on the patron’s account changes to Lost. At this point the cost of replacement for item(s) is placed on the patron’s account.
• Fines are not added to the replacement amount at this point, but the replacement cost is usually high enough to stop further borrowing due to the $10 cap restriction.

LOST AND DAMAGED ITEMS

Patrons are billed for materials that are lost, damaged or destroyed. Lesser fees may be charged at the discretion of the Library Director.

Lost:

• A book is considered Lost if it has not been returned 30 days after the due date.
• WSL does not issue refunds for books that are paid for and later found.

Damaged:

Damage is any changes in the book’s condition, beyond normal wear and tear, that permanently and drastically reduces the item’s visual appeal, readability and usability and may occur accidentally or willfully.

Replacement Costs

Patrons can pay for lost, damaged, and missing items on their account in three ways.

1. Debit Card or Credit Card: Log into their CW MARS account, click on “My Account” and use a credit or debit card to pay the charges.
2. Checks: Mail or bring a check to the library made out to “Whitinsville Social Library” with the amount owed using the memo line to include “Lost Item Payment.” If the name on the check is not the patron’s name please use the memo line for that as well.
3. In-Person: Patrons can pay at Whitinsville Social Library during business hours using cash or check. Patrons can pay in-person at any CW MARS library with a check or money order.

Current replacement costs for lost or damaged items:

PRIVACY