Fines | Loan Periods | Renewals | Museum Passes | Outreach

Patrons must present their library card for ALL services, including computer use.

REGISTRATION OF BORROWERS

There is no fee to obtain a Brockton Public Library card.  Residents of towns that are members of the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) may register for a library card in any OCLN library.

 ADULT CARD

Adults must show identification showing their name, photograph, and current address.

 Acceptable photo identification:

• Driver’s license
• Massachusetts ID (issued by Registry of Motor Vehicles)
• Passport
• Military ID
• Student ID

 Acceptable current address identification:

• Any of the above photo IDs which also show current address
• Checkbook
• Utility bills
• Lease agreement
• Personal mail with current cancellation stamp

 Students Grades 9 – 12 must show one of the following pieces of identification:

Driver’s License with current address 
Current school ID with photo.

Students Grades 7 – 8

Students must show an official school document (i.e. report card or class schedule) for identification to receive a library card.  Those without identification will follow the requirements for a children’s card.

CHILDREN’S CARD

Children to Grade 6:

Children through grade six may receive a library card when they are able to print their first and last name or are at least in kindergarten.  A parent, grandparent, or legal guardian/foster parent must be present and show identification with a current address.  The application must be signed by the adult.

LOST CARDS

Patrons must present identification for a replacement card.

• Students – High School ID or official school paper.
• Children – Parent present with ID.

      Lost Card Fees

          $1.00 for the first lost card
          $2.00 for the second lost card
          $3.00 for the third lost card, etc.

FINES FOR OVERDUE MATERIALS

• Adult Materials - $.10 per day per item - $3.00 maximum fine per item.
• Juvenile Materials - $.10 per day per item - $1.00 maximum fine per item
• Video (Children’s and Adult) - $1.00 per day per item - $5.00 maximum per item
• Museum Passes - $1.00 per day - $25.00 maximum fine.
• Fines and fees on materials borrowed from other libraries are determined by the  owning library.

OVERDUE NOTICES and FEES

Patrons who have overdue materials will be notified by mail 21 days after the due date (3 days for videos).  A second notice will be mailed 21 days after the first notice. 

 Items overdue more than 60 days are assumed lost and billed accordingly.

The patron will pay the price that is generated by the computer for a lost or damaged item or, at the discretion of the item selector; a replacement item will be accepted. The library will not issue refunds if the lost item is subsequently found.

 All overdue fines are to be paid within 60 days.

 All library services, including computer use, will be suspended when fines exceed $2.00 or when any balance is more than 60 days overdue.

 A $1.00 fee will be charged for any audio or video case that is not returned.

 LOAN PERIODS

• Museum Passes – 24 hours.
• Videos and DVDs – 7 days
• Magazines and Children’s Magazines – 14 days
• Books, Music CDs, Audio Books (cassette and CD), classroom science kits and pamphlets  - 14 days
• Reference materials - 1 day with permission from Reference Librarian or Branch Librarian.

 Limitations on number of items that may be borrowed

• Museum passes must be reserved ahead and are limited to one pass per day.
• Class/School assignments may result in some limit on the number of materials that may be borrowed by one patron. Other limitations may include Holiday Books and Summer Reading List items.
• Audio Books (cassette and CD) – 6 per card.
• Videos and DVDs owned by Brockton Public Library – 5 per card

RENEWALS

Renewals may be requested by telephone or in person (library card required) or through the OCLN online catalog with a library card and PIN.  Renewals cannot be made for items on reserve for another person, reference materials, museum passes, and items that have reached their maximum number of renewals.  Items eligible for renewal will be extended for the same length of time as the original borrowing period.

 HOLDS / RESERVES

Holds may be placed on any available item in the OCLN network in person at the computer catalog or by telephone with an OCLN card.  Telephone requests are limited to two items.

 Materials not owned by any OCLN library may be requested from non-OCLN libraries directly via the Virtual Catalog or by submitting an Interlibrary Loan Request Form (with a limit of three).

Non-OCLN materials borrowed via the Virtual Catalog have a loan period of 28 days with no renewals.  Materials borrowed via Interlibrary Loan have a loan period of 14 days with no automatic renewals.

 MUSEUM PASSES

• Museum passes and discount coupons are held at the Main Library.  Patrons must pick up and return passes to that location only.
• Passes may be reserved ahead by phone or in person up to three months in advance.  
• Museum passes and discount coupons are to be checked out by Brockton residents or Brockton Library Foundation members only.
• A valid card must be presented at time of checkout.
• Only the patron who reserved the pass or discount coupon may pick it up or must call to verify the name of the person picking it up for them.
• Only one pass or discount coupon per day may be borrowed.  
• $1.00 per day overdue fine

Discount coupons do not have to be returned as they are exchanged at museums for discounted admission.   For all others:

• Passes circulate for 24 hours and must be returned by 9:00 A.M the day following the pass date.
• Fine for a lost pass is $25.00.

Project Outreach

Those who are are visually impaired may want to request material from our audio book collection.  The Perkins school for the blind also provides library material to visually impaired residents of Massachusetts.

Home | Library Catalog | About the Library | Library Resources
 Building Project | Kids | Teens | Internet Resources