Library Card Information

Your FREE library card allows you access to a wealth of services at the Haverhill Library and throughout the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (over 30 libraries). Haverhill residents may borrow books, magazines, CDs, videos, and DVDs from our library and, in most cases, from other consortium libraries also. Your card allows you to access information about your own library account and also access a large variety of online databases from outside the library, using the Internet.

Requirements for Obtaining a Library Card
ALL library card applications require identification showing your name and correct address.

Haverhill Residents: May obtain a card free of charge. Children, ages 5 and older, must apply with a parent or guardian. Haverhill students in grade seven and higher may apply without a parent or guardian present.

Other Massachusetts Residents: Must show their hometown library card.

Haverhill Taxpayers, Business Owners, Teachers and Municipal Employees: Must show proof of special status.

College Students: Northern Essex Community College students must verify full-time status, have student ID, and proof of their permanent address.

Out-of-state residents: Annual $75.00 fee, valid at all area libraries, entitles you to all library services, including Interlibrary Loan.

Borrower's Responsibilities

For All Materials: Any use of your card is your responsibility. Please don't let others use your card.

Lost Library Card: If you lose your card or it is stolen, please report it to the library immediately. You are responsible for any use of the card until the library has been notified. Replacement fee is $1.00

Overdue Fees: Overdue fees are charged as a means to discourage the late return of materials. $.15 per item, per day, to a maximum of $10.00 total for all materials returned at one time.

Late Video Fees: $2.00 per day, with a maximum of $10.00 per video.

Lost Materials Fee: Current price, if still available. (If not, then a standard price which varies by the type of material.) Patrons will be required to pay overdue fees that have accrued.

Circulation Restrictions

You are allowed to check out:

• Videos / DVDs - 5 of each (instead of 4)

• CDs - unlimited (instead of 4)

• Audiobooks - unlimited

•  Adult Non-fiction - unlimited (instead of 3)

• Adult Fiction - including NEW fiction � unlimited

• Magazines - unlimited (magazines more than 10 years old may not be checked out)

• Teen Fiction - unlimited

• Children's Fiction - 4 by one author  / 4 in one series

• Children's Magazines - unlimited quantity, but restricted to 4 of each title

borrowing limits effective 1/26/04

Return of Materials:  ALL borrowed materials may be returned to the Main Desk or Children's Room during regular hours. When the library is closed, you may use the book drop just outside the main entrance near the parking lot. A second book drop can be found at the Summer Street entrance, and is available around the clock. If the book drops are full, please return borrowed materials to the library.

Renewals: You may renew an item ONCE by telephone with the exception of videos and overdue items. Unlimited renewal of ALL materials is still available by bringing the items into the library. You may also renew online at the library's website: http://www.haverhillpl.org.  Choose "Online Catalog" and select "My Account/Login" then log in with your library card number and pin number.

Rentals: Duplicate copies of best sellers may be rented for a fee of $.25 per day. These books may not be reserved.

Videos and DVDs: Videos and DVDs cost $1.00 each for a 7 day loan and may be reserved. They may only be renewed in person at the library.

Holds: If an item we own is currently on loan to another patron, you may place it on hold either in person, over the telephone, or online using our Online Catalog. If you want an item we do not own, we will try to borrow it for you from another library. You will be notified when the item arrives at the library. Ask a staff member to place holds for you, or show you how to do it yourself.

As always, the Haverhill Public Library will make every effort to purchase any video or DVD title that you request. We welcome your suggestions!

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