Using the Library

Circulation Desk

Library Cards

Requesting Materials

Loan Periods

Renewing Materials

Returning Materials

Fines & Fees

Lost or Damaged Materials

Internet Access

PIN Numbers

Address & Phone Changes

Circulation Desk

Library Cards

• Whitman residents age five and above* may apply for a library card. The parent or guardian must also have a valid library card before one can be issued to their child. *Children under age five may get a library card if they can write their name or are entering kindergarten.
• Children ages 5 - 12 must have a parent or guardian's signature and permission to obtain a card. The parent or guardian is responsible for any fines and fees accrued on their child’s card.
• Identification with the applicant's address (e.g. driver's license, phone bill) is required in order to receive a card.
• Library staff should be informed of any changes in address, phone, email or name.
• Patrons from other OCLN towns must obtain a library card at their home library.
• Residents of towns outside the OCLN network may get a card if they have a valid library card in their town of residence.
• Whitman Public Library cards are good at any OCLN library.
• Patron is responsible for all materials checked out on his or her card.
• Lost or stolen cards should be reported immediately.
• Replacements for lost cards cost $2.50 per card.
  

Address & Phone Changes

To assist the library in offering customer-oriented services that include holds notification and overdue reminders, patrons should notify library staff anytime there is a change in name, mailing address, telephone number or email.

Accessing Library Account Information

Patrons may view their library account at an online catalog in the library, or online from home. Two pieces of information are required: (1) the "User ID", which is the barcode number on the back of the library card; and (2) a PIN. The initial PIN for all accounts is “ocln”. Patrons may elect to change their PINs by following the steps provided online. If a PIN is forgotten, the patron can obtain it from a library staff member.

Borrowing Privileges

In most circumstances, patrons of all ages may check out an unlimited number of library materials; however, checkout of videos/DVDs is limited to five per card, and only two of those five items may be a new release. Patrons who owe more than $5 are blocked from checking out materials until their fines are paid.

Checking Out Materials

• Patrons must have a valid library card with them to borrow materials.
• Patrons are encouraged to check out only their own materials on their library card; however, family members may be allowed to check out materials for each other if they have the other person's card.
• Patrons are discouraged from allowing friends or unrelated persons to use their library card. It is the responsibility of the patron to return all materials on time, pay all overdue charges and to pay replacement costs for lost or damaged items that have been checked out on their card.
• The only items restricted to in-library use are reference items, newspapers, and the newest issues of magazines.
  

Loan Periods and Fines & Fees

Overdue Information

Patrons are encouraged to return library materials on or before their due date to avoid fines and to make the items available to other patrons. There is a three-day grace period on books, CDs, and magazines, except for new items. Items returned within the grace period incur no fines.

Returning Materials

• There is a book drop at the entrance of the building for returns when the library is closed. To avoid damage to magazines, patrons using the book drop are asked to return magazines enclosed in a manila envelope or similar protective cover.
• When the library is open, all materials should be returned at the circulation desk. Items placed in the book drop when the library is open will not be checked in until the next day.
  

Renewing Materials

• Most items may be renewed once, unless holds have been placed on the item. Many new items, such as bestsellers, are often not available for renewal.
• Videos and DVDs are renewable, except for new items.
• Renewals can be done in person with a library card or the item, over the phone, or online from home.
  

Requesting Materials

Items held by members of the Old Colony Library Network:
Requests or holds can be placed on most items found in the online catalog. This can be done at one of the online catalogs in the library, online from home, or with the assistance of a library staff member. Once a hold has been placed on an item, the first available copy in the network will be sent to the library that selected in the holds process as the pickup library. When the library receives the item, the patron will be notified either by phone or email.

Items not held by members of the Old Colony Library Network:
If the desired item is not available in the OCLN network, it may be requested online through the Virtual Catalog, or through Inter-Library Loan (ILL) service arranged by a library staff member.

Email notification:
Adult patrons who wish to receive holds notification via email rather than by phone may provide email addresses to library staff. This email address will be included in the patron record, and email notices will be generated on the same day the hold becomes available. We recommend that all patrons who check their email regularly use the email notification. The library will no longer be mailing first overdue notices to Whitman residents.

Purchase suggestions:
Patrons are encouraged to suggest purchases for the library collection, with the understanding that funding is limited and every suggestion may not be ordered.

Library Materials Selection Policy

Lost or Damaged Materials

Patrons are responsible for all library materials they check out. If a patron loses an item, they will be required to pay the replacement cost of the item. If library staff determines an item has been damaged beyond repair, the patron will be charged the replacement cost. If part of an item has been lost or damaged, patrons are required to pay a $2 fee for replacement or repair.

Internet Access