Circulation Policy

Obtaining a Physical Billerica Public Library Card

Eligibility

A physical Billerica Public Library card is available to all Billerica residents. Property owners and those employed in town may also obtain a card if they are not already part of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC). The Library will follow MVLC policies and procedures when registering patrons who are residents of MVLC communities. 

Children five years and older may obtain a card with a parent’s or guardian’s signature. Caregivers who get a card in a child’s name assume responsibility for all items checked out on that card.

Teens 14 and over with a photo ID can sign for their own card.

Required Identification

The applicant must have a picture ID, preferably a driver’s license or state-issued picture ID. If the ID address is incorrect, a bill or piece of mail with a new address must be shown.

Billerica students may show a student ID without proof of residency.

Obtaining a MVLC Library Card

Eligibility

Patrons residing in Massachusetts, attending school in Massachusetts, or owning property in Massachusetts may receive a MVLC library card or have their current card linked to our system if they reside in a non-MVLC Massachusetts community. Depending on residency, the MVLC card will grant access to Libby, other e-resources provided through MVLC, and possibly any e-resources offered by the home library.

Required Identification

The applicant must have a picture ID, preferably a driver’s license or state-issued picture ID. If the ID address is incorrect, a bill or piece of mail with a new address must be shown.

Obtaining a Physical Temporary Card

If a patron otherwise eligible for a library card cannot show proper ID, a temporary card, valid for 30 days, may be issued for immediate, local use checkout. A temporary card also provides access to Libby and other e-resources provided through MVLC. A temporary card cannot be renewed.

Obtaining a Billerica Public Library or MVLC E-Card

A Billerica Public Library or MVLC e-card is available to all Billerica and Massachusetts residents who do not already have a card in our system.

Eligibility

To get an e-card, a patron must be a Massachusetts resident and not have an account in our system.

Required Identification

Patrons must provide their legal first name, last name, physical address, telephone number, and email address using the online form. Successful applicants will receive an email with an e-card barcode, and their PIN will be set to the last four digits of their phone number. Unsuccessful applicants will be provided with details on how to proceed.

Out-of-State Residents

Per MVLC policy, out-of-state residents may only obtain a card upon proof they work in Massachusetts, attend school in Massachusetts, or own property in Massachusetts.

Replacing a Lost Card

A picture ID must be presented to replace a lost or stolen card. If a card is reported stolen, the account associated with the card will either be deleted or blocked, depending on whether outstanding items or holds are attached. There is no charge for replacement cards.

Responsibility

By applying for a library card, patrons assume full responsibility for any items checked out on their card, including items they allow others to check out using their card. Caregivers who get a card in a child’s name assume responsibility for all items checked out on that card.

Renewals

Items may be renewed twice, provided there are no holds on the item. Items can be renewed via phone, email, in-person, online and automatic renewals.

Phone

When calling, the patron needs to provide a library card number or the item barcode.

If a library card or item barcode is unavailable, the patron must confirm the name, address, phone number, and email address on file.

Email

Patrons may make a renewal request by email. They should include their library card number and the item barcode number in the email and send the request to curbside@billericalibrary.org. 

In-Person

The patron must present the item or their library card.

If a library card or item barcode is unavailable, the patron must provide a photo ID or confirm the name, address, phone number, and email address on file.

Online

Patrons may also renew items online by accessing their account using their library card number and PIN (initially set as the last four digits of the library card number).

Automatic Renewals

Items due in 3 days will automatically be renewed unless there is a hold on them or the maximum number of renewals has been reached. Patrons will receive an email indicating if their items were renewed and/or what items could not be renewed.

Lost Items

Lost Items must be paid in full before future checkouts. The Circulation Manager may arrange payment plans if necessary.

Payment for Lost Items Belonging to Billerica Public Library

The Billerica Public Library accepts cash or check payments for lost items. The Library no longer accepts replacements for lost items. Credit card payments can be made online through the patron’s account. Fees owed must be $5 or more to pay online.

Lost items found within one month of payment will be refunded with receipt of payment, provided the item has not been replaced. Refunds are not available if payment is made online.

A one-time courtesy checkout may be given to patrons who have lost Billerica items only.

Payment for Lost Items Belonging to Other Libraries

Payment for a lost item owned by a MVLC library can be accepted at any network library. If a patron pays with a check, they should call the owning library to see how they want it made out. Staff should check with the owning library regarding their specific policy before accepting replacement items.

Holds

Placing Holds

Items may be placed on hold by phone, online (through the patron’s account), or in person while visiting the Library. For further details, see our Confidentiality Policy.

Patrons will receive an email or call when their materials have arrived. Materials on the hold shelf expire seven (7) days after initial check-in.

Suspending or Activating Holds

Patrons may suspend and activate holds by phone, online (through the patron’s account), or in person while visiting the Library. For further details, see our Confidentiality Policy.

Picking up Holds

Holds may be picked up for seven (7) days after initial check-in.

Our Confidentiality Policy protects patrons’ privacy by limiting who can pick up holds. Please see that policy for complete details.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Patrons are eligible to place interlibrary loans outside the library consortium. Please see our Interlibrary Loan Policy for complete details.

Library of Things Items

The rules for borrowing Library of Things items are outlined in our Library of Things Policy.

Museum Passes

The Billerica Public Library offers several different passes to museums and attractions in New England. The passes are available for Massachusetts cardholders who are in good standing with the Library. The passes are generously sponsored by the Family Friends of the Library and local sponsoring businesses and organizations.

Borrowing Limits

The Library has one pass per museum per day. Passes may admit more than one person to the museum or attraction for free or at a discounted rate. Eligible users may reserve passes up to 60 days in advance and may only reserve one pass per day and week. 

The Library cannot guarantee that a specific pass will be available on a particular day. All reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Library staff reserves the right to monitor museum pass usage to ensure fairness and access to the greatest number of patrons.

NOTE: Family Friends of the Billerica Public Library members may reserve two passes per week.

Borrowing and Returning

The various museums or attractions have electronic passes, coupon passes that do not have to be returned, or plastic passes that must be returned to the Library by the morning after they are used.

Passes may be picked up, in most cases, up to four days in advance. Some passes, which are earmarked for multiple days (for example, Mon-Wed-Fri or Tues-Thurs), can only be picked up the day before or the morning of the pass use. 

Passes can be dropped in the book drop when the Library is not open.

Questions

For details on a specific pass, check the Billerica Public Library website or call the Library at 978-671-0949 (press 3).

Reservations

Passes can be reserved in three (3) ways.

1. Visit the Circulation Desk on the Library’s main floor and talk with a staff member at the desk.
2. Visit the Library’s website and reserve the pass over the Internet (You will need your library card number and your PIN number to log in. Your PIN is the last four digits of the card number given when you registered for a library card.). When reserving a pass for yourself, follow all directions and reserve the correct available date.
3. Telephone the Library at 978-671-0949 (press 3) and ask the staff member who answers to reserve a pass for you. 

Loan Periods

Loan periods for items will be set by the Library Director and will be posted on the library’s website.

Policy Exceptions

The Library Director or designee reserves the right to allow rare exceptions to this policy when extenuating circumstances warrant such exceptions. Exceptions cannot be made to MVLC policies or the policies of other libraries or violate the Library’s goal of ensuring fairness and access to the greatest number of patrons.

Revised and adopted by a vote of the Board of Library Trustees on November 5, 2018, as amended on November 2, 2020, September 13, 2021, February 7, 2022, and April 1, 2024