Your Library Card

Who can get a card
Anyone in good standing with the library and over the age of 16 may obtain a library card. Children may obtain a library card when they can write their name.  Parents or guardians are responsible for all materials checked out on cards of children under the age of 16.  So that the child's card can be linked to the responsible party, the parent or guardian must come to the library and obtain a card before the child can obtain one.  There is no charge for the first library card issued to a patron.  The first circulation is limited to 2 items.

How to Get Your Card
Patrons must complete an application for a library card and show proof of identification and address (driver's license, passport or visa with correct address; bank statement, utility bill with correct address).  If patron can not give proof of address, the library card will be mailed and no items may be circulated until the card is received. 

Borrowing Limits
All library materials may be borrowed for 2 weeks.  Borrowing limits vary according to patron type and collection.  MCPL may limit the number of new fiction and other small collections that a patron may check out and reserves the right to set temporary circulation limits on items in high demand for school assignments. No reference materials may be removed from the library.  The most current issues of magazines and newspapers may not be circulated.  Patrons may not clip items from either of these publications.  No materials may be borrowed by anyone with unpaid fines exceeding $10.00 or in excess of 2 months overdue.

Placing Holds

Holds may be placed on most materials. There is no charge for holds.  Patrons may place holds themselves at the on-line catalog at the library or by using the internet at home and accessing the library catalog at http://yourmiddlesexlibrary.org   using their library card barcode and the PIN in their record or by asking staff to place holds on their behalf.

Renewing Your Borrowed Items
If no other patron is on hold for the item(s), books and magazines may be renewed for two 2-week loan periods.  If no other patron is on hold for the item(s), all audio visual materials (books on tape or CD, DVDs, videos) may be renewed for one 2-week loan period. 

During regular library hours, materials may be renewed by phone or by coming to the library.  Patrons who obtain a PIN may renew materials, which are not on hold for other patrons, online via the MCPL website.

Library Fines
Books and periodicals fines are assessed at $.10 per day. The maximum fine for each book or periodical is $5.00.

Audio-visual materials fines are assessed at $.25 per day with the maximum limit of $7.50 per item.

Fines for returning audio/visual materials in the bookdrop are $.25 per item.

Fines will be computed from the due date of return.  No fines are charged on Sundays, holidays, emergency closing days, or any day the Middlesex County Public Schools are closed because of weather.

Patrons must pay current retail cost for lost or seriously damaged items.  After payment, the patron may keep the damaged item. 

The Executive Director will assess charges for minimal damage to items (materials that can be repaired and circulated). In his/her absence, the Branch Manager may make the decision or defer to the Director. 

Patrons will be charged $.75 for each missing or seriously damaged barcode on library materials or on the patron's library card.

Damaged or missing audio visual cases will be assessed by the Executive Director, with charges ranging from $1.00 -  $10.00.

The fee for a replacement library card is $1.50.