Borrowing
Getting a Library Card and PIN
Come in person to the Circulation Desk on the mid-level of the library or the Children’s Room. You must be at least 6 years old (or in the 1st grade) and have a photo ID with your current address (driver’s license or passport; a recent utility statement indicating the address).
Children’s cards are issued when the child is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has proper identification.
You do NOT have to be a resident of Groton.
Your first card is free; replacement cards are $1.
When you get your card you should also set up your PIN (Personal Identification Number). This is a security password of 4-8 letters or numbers that enables you to access your account from any computer. All you need is your library card number on the back of your library card and a PIN to renew or reserve materials online, including museum passes.
If you do not have a PIN (or forget yours), you may get one at the Circulation Desk next time you are in the library.
What You Can Borrow
You may borrow almost everything at the library. This includes books, magazines, DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks, book group kits, software and more.
Items labeled REFERENCE, special collection materials from the Historical Room, newspapers, Consumer Reports and current issues of magazines must be used in the library (back issues of all magazines except Consumer Reports may be borrowed).
Learn more about the collections at GPL.
Loan Periods and Item Limits
Loan periods and item limits vary, based on the type of material. There is a limit of 50 items per card:
| Material type | Maximum | Loan period |
|---|---|---|
| Books | 50 | 3 weeks |
| Audiobooks | 5 | 3 weeks |
| Book/CD sets | 5 | 3 weeks |
| Software (children’s) | 5 | 3 weeks |
| Software (adult) | 2 | 3 weeks |
| Magazines (children’s) | 10 | 3 weeks |
| Magazines (adult) | 10 | 1 week |
| Multimedia kits | 1 | 1 week |
| Music CDs | 10 | 1 week |
| DVDs & Videos | 10 | 1 week |
| Book Club Kits (YA) | 1 | 6 weeks |
| Ebook readers | 1 per family | 3 weeks |
Returning Borrowed Materials and Renewals
Items may be returned at the Circulation Desk during library hours, or at the two book drops (located at both entrances) at any time―even when the library is open. If the book drop is full, Do NOT leave the materials outside the book drop or by the library door. You will be responsible for materials that are damaged or stolen before they are checked in.
Items may be renewed twice, provided there is no one else waiting for them, and the items are not overdue. The renewal period is for the same amount of time as the original loan. Book discussion kits circulate for one 6-week period and may not be renewed.
You may renew materials in person or by telephone. You may renew items online if you have a PIN.
The system will prevent you from renewing for the following reasons:
- The item is past its due date.
- The item has already been renewed the maximum number of times.
- Another patron has placed a hold on the item.
- Your record has been blocked because of a billed item or because you have over $20 in fines.
- There are other blocks on your record.
Overdue Materials and Fines
| Books, audiobooks, magazines, music CDs | 10¢ per day |
| DVDs, videocassettes, software, multimedia kits, book discussion kits | 50¢ per day |
| Ebook readers | $5.00 per day |
If we have your email address, you will automatically receive a courtesy email on the night that items are due.
If materials are lost or damaged, please contact us about replacing them. You will be charged the replacement cost of the lost or damaged item. Once an item is billed and removed from our system, it cannot be returned nor charges reimbursed.
Regretfully, failure to return materials or pay for their replacement will result in a suspension of your library borrowing privileges until the matter is resolved.
Placing a Hold on Materials
If you want a book or other item that is checked out to someone else, or if you want to reserve something at the library until you can come to pick it up, you may place a HOLD on it. You can place a hold online or by calling the Circulation Desk. We will call you or notify you by email when the item is ready to be picked up.
To place a hold online, you will need your library card number and a PIN. First find the book in the online catalog. If you see it in a list of items, click on the black “Request Hold” link to the left of the title. If you are looking at the item’s full record, click on the “Hold Request” button in the navigation bar at the top of the screen. You will then be prompted to enter a “Patron / Alternate ID Number” (your library card number) and PIN before clicking “Submit Request.“ If you login to your account, you will be able to view any holds that you have placed.
When an item is ready for pick-up, it will be held it at the Circulation Desk for 5 business days. New items in high demand may have a 3-day hold limit.