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The purpose of this policy is to provide written guidelines pertaining to the circulation of library materials for the Wilmington Memorial Library (WML). This policy is based on the need to make materials available to all patrons on an equal basis and to ensure adequate access based on the size and/or nature of the collection.  In order to provide for the return or replacement of library materials, this policy determines length of loan periods, renewals, late fees, etc. Individuals are responsible for all materials borrowed on their card, including any late fees or replacement cost for lost or damaged material.  Exceptions to the following policy statements may be made when warranted at the discretion of the librarian.

Library Cards

Residents of Wilmington
Proper identification is required to apply for a Wilmington Memorial Library (WML) card.  The following documents are acceptable

  • Massachusetts driver’s license or license with a new address sticker attached
  • Massachusetts car registration, state ID or passport
  • Wilmington property tax bill, lease/mortgage bill or utility bill

Children under age 14 are required to have a parent or legal guardian present when applying and a parent or legal guardian must sign the application.  Children age 14 and over are required to present proper identification (school I.D.) or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with acceptable identification.

Library cards expire every three years. Patron information is verified and updated as needed to renew.

The WML card can be used at any library in the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC).

Residents of Merrimack Valley Library Consortium Communities
Residents of MVLC communities who have a valid library card from their hometown library have access to materials and services offered by WML.  Subscription databases purchased by WML may be limited.

Residents of Massachusetts Communities Outside of MVLC
Residents of Massachusetts communities outside of MVLC who have a library card from their hometown may have it registered for use at all MVLC libraries.  Identification as noted above is required. The card expires in three years.  Subscription databases and museum passes purchased by WML may be limited.

Temporary Library Cards
 Nonresidents from towns in Massachusetts who do not have a library card may be issued a temporary MVLC library card which expires in 30 days.  This temporary library card is only for materials checkout by the named cardholder and cannot be used to reserve materials or access databases. Those given a temporary card should be encouraged to obtain a permanent card at their hometown library.

NOTE:  Patrons from other Massachusetts  towns, who are interested in accessing WML databases, should be directed to obtain a Boston Public Library (BPL) card, which can be obtained online. The BPL offers numerous databases many of which overlap with the ones offered by WML.

Residents Out of State
Out of state residents will be charged $50.00 annually for a WML restricted local use only card.  The card expires in one year.  Information should be verified and updated as needed to renew.  Payment of the annual fee is required.  This card cannot be used to request interlibrary loan items. It can be used to:

  • check out only materials owned by WML
  • access subscription databases and online services purchased by WML
  • access the library’s public internet computers

NOTE:  Residents from out of state who work in Wilmington may get a WML restricted card at no cost.  Proof of employment is required.

WML Teacher Cards
Teachers, day care providers and homeschoolers working with Wilmington residents in a planned educational environment may apply for a WML Teacher Card.  The card expires on June 30th each year and must be renewed annually.  It can be used to

  • borrow materials for up to six weeks for classroom use, at the discretion of the Librarian.  Only    materials owned by WML are eligible for this extended loan period.
  • request items on interlibrary loan.
  • access subscription databases and online services purchased by WML.
  • access the library’s public internet computers

Organization Library Cards
Organizations, schools and businesses located in Wilmington may apply for a WML restricted card.  The application must be signed by an administrator, owner or head of the organization. The card expires in one year.  Information should be verified and updated as needed to renew.  This card cannot be used to request interlibrary loan items.  It can be used to

  • check out only materials owned by WML.
  • access subscription databases and online services purchased by WML.
  • access the library’s public internet computers

Library Bill of Rights

The Board of Library Trustees endorses the Library Bill of Rights which states that “a person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views.”  Consequently, the responsibility for what children or young adults may choose for their own use from the library’s collection rests with their parents or legal guardians. WML does not restrict the borrowing privileges of anyone including children.

Library Card Privacy

The Wilmington Memorial Library maintains confidentiality concerning all patron records and transaction as required accordance with Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 78, Section 7). Recognizing the potential need for parents or legal guardians to have information on borrowed library material in order to rectify paying for or finding material for which they are financially responsible, library staff may release this information if the circumstance is warranted and the parent or guardian is in possession of the minor’s library card. All patrons are encouraged to utilize their library card and PIN to access their borrowing record and their children’s borrowing record.

Loan Periods, Limits, Late Fees, Etc.
Material Type Loan Period Limit per Card Renewals Late Fee per day Maximum Fine
Books/Audio Books 21 days none 2 none none
Hot Books 14 days 2 0 $1.00 $3.00
Magazines 7 days none 2 none none
CDs 21 days 10 2 none none
DVDs 7 days 10 2 none none
Hot DVDs 2 days 1 0 $1.00 $3.00
Video Games 7 days 3 2 $1.00 $3.00
E-Readers 21 days 1 0 $1.00 $3.00
Museum Pass   $5 fee if not picked up 1 day 1 0 $10.00 $30.00
Hot Spots 14 days 1 0 $5.00 $10.00
Library of Things Loan Periods and fees vary. See website.

Note: Hot Books, Hot DVDS, and Hot Spots cannot be placed on hold.

Bill Notice:

A bill notice is sent when library material is 35 days overdue.

Patron Delinquency:

Borrowing privileges are suspended from the Wilmington Memorial Library and from any MVLC library when:

  • an item(s) is 14 days overdue.
  • 20 items are overdue.
  • $20 or more is owed (fines and lost item charges).

Reserving Library Material

Requests/Holds:

Library material may be reserved online or by visiting or calling the library.  When the library material is available, notification is generally by email or text message. Calls will be made if no email is provided.  Reserved library material is held for seven days.  Material not picked up by the hold date is removed from the holds shelf and returned to the owning library. Patrons who neglect to pick up large quantities of requested materials may have their active requests suspended and/or lose their request privileges.

In order to manage all interlibrary loan requests in a timely manner, the number of requests made by a patron may be limited by WML and/or by the regional delivery system.

 

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees 3/15/16
Updated and approved  2/21/18
Updated and approved   11/20/18
Updated and approved  12/17/19

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