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Circulation Policies

CIRCULATION POLICY

Library Cards

  • A valid CWMARS Library Card must be presented to borrow materials.  If a patron does not have their library card, a photo ID may be required.  Patrons may not check out items to a patron who is not present, or another account, unless they are in possession of that library card.
  • Physical Library cards can be any person who lives, works, or goes to school in Massachusetts who present a valid ID with a current address, a utility bill or piece of cancelled mail is acceptable for proof of address.   If no proof of address is available, cards will be mailed home, but cannot be used until received. Children under 16 must have a parent or guardian’s signature.
  • eCards, which allow borrowing of electronic materials only, are available to MA residents only. Applicants ages 13+ can apply for an ecard online
  • Patrons, or parents of minor patrons, are responsible for the good care and prompt return of all library materials loaned to their card.  Lost or damaged materials must be paid for or replaced with an identical item (by ISBN) in like new or better condition (preferred).  Refunds will be available for 30 days after payment if the item is later found.  If an item is found after 30 days, the patron may keep it or donate it back to the library.
  • Claims Returned:  If a library patron believes he or she has returned an item to the library, but it has not cleared their account (been ‘checked in’), library staff will renew the item once, while the patron and library staff actively look for the item.  If the item still hasn’t been located at the end of the renewal period, the patron may request a ‘claims returned’ status.  If the library user finds the item, s/he should return it to the library where it will be checked in and the “claims returned” will be removed from the patron’s account.  If a member of the staff finds the item on the shelf or elsewhere, it will be checked in and the “claims returned” will be removed from the user’s account.  Each patron may have a maximum of three ‘claims returned’ item attached to their record at any one time.
  • Replacement library cards are $2.00

Checkout Period

  • Books, audio books, eReaders, video games & music cds – 3 weeks, 1 renewal*, limit 50 items total per card
    • Non-fiction materials may be limited to 4 per subject
    • Video games and launchpads may be limited to one per family
  • Magazines –  1 week, 1 renewal
  • DVDs  -- 1 week, 1 renewal, limit 20 items per card

Interlibrary Loan

  • Check out period is based on lending library’s policy
  • Patrons are responsible for any fines or bills owed to lending libraries

Museum Passes -- Click here for more information about Museum Passes

  • Museum passes are loaned for a period of 2 days, unless other arrangements are made.
  • Patrons will be liable for the full replacement cost of the pass if it is lost
  • Passes returned late are subject to a $2.00 late fee, up to $10 maximum

Fines and Overdue Notices

  • Materials owned by the Leicester Public Library do not accrue fines for overdue books, dvds and audio books and music
  • Items borrowed from the Leicester Public Library, but owned by another library, are subject to the fines and loan periods set by the owning library
  • Overdue notices are only sent via email.

THERE IS NO GRACE PERIOD.  Fines accrue immediately after the due date.

Exceptions for Leicester owned items:

  • Video Games, Board Games, eReaders, - $1.00 per day, maximum $5.00 per item.
  • Museum Passes & Hotspots - $2.00 a day, maximum $10.00
  • Library of Things, Kits and other special items – 10c per day, $3.00 maximium

THERE IS NO GRACE PERIOD.  Fines accrue immediately after the due date.

Borrowing privileges will be suspended for patrons with:

  • Any overdue material
  • Fines totaling $10.00 or more
  • Lost or damaged material pending replacement or payment

Approved Board of Trustees meeting July 17, 2012
Updates approved at the December 21, 2021 Trustee Meeting