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Borrowing

How To Get A Library Card

Billerica Residents: Any resident of Billerica with proof of residency may apply for a library card. Children must be 5 years old and be able to write their own name. We ask that a parent or guardian co-sign applications for any child younger than high-school age.

Other Massachusetts Residents: The Billerica Public Library is a member of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), a network that includes 32 area libraries. If you live in a town that is a member of MVLC, you need to obtain a library card from your hometown library. Your hometown library card is valid in any library in the MVLC network. If you have a card from another network (NOBLE, Minuteman, MetroBoston, CLAMS, Old Colony, or CW/MARS) we can register your card in our network.

Out-of-State Residents: The Billerica Public Library will issue a card, free of charge, to any out-of-state resident. This card will be valid for borrowing from Billerica's collection only. For an optional $75.00 annual fee, any out-of-state resident can have full access to the entire MVLC network.

View and Download the Registration Form

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Requesting An Item

Through the MVLC network we have access to over 2.4 million items. You may request items from another MVLC library to be sent to the Billerica Library for you or visit the owning library yourself. Our staff would be happy to place you on a waiting list for items currently checked out!

Items from another Library: Up to 5 items may be requested at the Information or Circulation Desks. We will notify you by telephone or email when the items are available. Some items are not available to borrow from other libraries. These include any items with a call number of: R, REF, RR, Rental or any combination of those; or with a status of NON-CIRC.

Items in Billerica currently checked out: There is no limit on number of requests. We will notify you by telephone or email when the item is available. We cannot place a hold on any feature films.

What you can do: Through our new online catalog you can place holds, view blocks, and renew items already out on your card. To access your account you will need your library card number and your PIN number which is currently set as the last four digits of your telephone number.

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Renewing An Item

Renewals may be made in person, by telephone, or online. For telephone renewals, you need to have your library card in hand when you call. Items may be only renewed twice. For online renewals please login to our book catalog and select My Account Login.

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Placing Holds

You can request items using our book catalog using your library card and a PIN number or you can call the library at 978-671-0948.

Items not found in our catalog can be requested by phone or by coming in and filling out a request slip. Response time will depend on the item in question

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Your PIN

When accessing a library account through the online catalog, placing holds, or reserving museum passes you will be asked to supply a library card number and a PIN (personal identification number). Your PIN# is preset to the last four digits of the primary phone number given on your library account.

You can change your PIN by logging into your account and selecting "Profile" from the list of options. Scroll to the bottom and fill out the appropriate fields.

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Circulation Policies

Loan Periods: There are no limits on the number of books borrowed at one time. There is a limit of 10 on the number of videos/dvds, music cds, and books on tape borrowed at one time.

Renewal: Renewals may be made in person, by telephone, or online. For telephone renewals, you need to have your library card in hand when you call. For online renewals please login to our book catalog and select My Account Login.

Fines: There is a charge of 5 cents a day for books and $2.00 a day for videos and dvds. We do not charge for days we are closed.

Lost/Damaged Items: You will be billed for the replacement cost of any lost or damaged items borrowed on your card.

Charges On Your Card: You are responsible for any materials you borrow and any charges for those materials. At the point of checkout, we will inform you of any outstanding charges on your card. Overdue notices will be sent after an item is 21 days overdue. Your borrowing privileges may be suspended throughout the network if overdue materials or fines are owed to the Billerica Public Library or to any MVLC Library.

Lost Cards: There is a $1.00 charge for the replacement of a lost card. If you card is lost or stolen, please contact the Library immediately.

Holds: Patrons will be called or emailed that their material is here. They will have 4 business days to pick it up. Materials can be picked up by family members but they must have the patron's card that the hold is on. When placing holds on materials the same limits of 5 on certain material is in place.

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