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 or tax bill).

Children’s cards are issued when the child is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who has proper identification. 

Any resident from a certified Massachusetts town library may use the Groton Library, but you must get your first library card from the town in which you reside. Groton is a member of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC); your Groton card gives you full borrowing privileges at any of the 35 other public libraries in MVLC.

Your first card is free; replacement cards are $1.

When you get your card, your PIN (Personal Identification Number) will default to the last 4 digits of your main phone number.  When you log into your online account for the first time, the system will prompt you to create a more secure password of at least 7 letters or numbers in length. 

To reserve materials online or access your account, all you need is the 14-digit number (type in without spaces) from the back of your library card and your PIN. If you forgotten your PIN, click on the “Forgot Your Password?“ link from your account log in.

What You Can Borrow

Almost everything in the library can be borrowed. This includes books, magazines  (even current issues!), DVDs, music CDs, audiobooks, book group kits, software and more. To request a book club kit in MVLC, go to KitKeeper.

Newspapers and items labeled Reference, Groton Collection, or Library Use Only may only be used in the library.

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 99 items per card:

Material type Loan period
Books 3 weeks
Audiobooks 3 weeks
Music CDs 3 weeks
Video games 3 weeks
DVDs & Blu-ray discs 1 week
Magazines, Adult/YA 1 week
Magazines, Children’s 3 weeks
Book/CD sets 3 weeks
Software 3 weeks
Book Club Kits (YA) 6 weeks
Multimedia kits 2 weeks (limit: one per family & local circ. only)
Ebook readers 3 weeks (limit: one per family & local circ. only)
Portable DVD Players 1 week (limit: one per family & local circ. only)

Returning Borrowed Materials and Renewals

Items may be returned at the Circulation Desk during library hours, in either of our two book drops, or at other MVLC libraries.  Items from other MVLC libraries may also be returned to Groton. If the book drop is full, please 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.  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 items online, in person, or by calling the library.

The system will prevent you from renewing for the following reasons:

  • 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, you have over $10 in fines, you have more than 15 items overdue, or for other reason.

Overdue Materials and Fines

Print items 10¢ per day / $3.00 maximum fine
Non-Print items (DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs,
video games, book/CD sets, software)
25¢ per day / $3.00 maximum fine
Special items (multimedia kits, book discussion
kits, ereaders)
50¢ per day / $5.00 maximum fine
Equipment (DVD Player) $1.00 per day / $10.00 maximum fine

If we have your email address or you opt in for text notification, you will automatically receive a courtesy email or text two days before items are due.

If materials are lost or damaged, please contact us or the owning library 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

To reserve a Groton or MVLC item in the catalog, find the record of the item you want and click PLACE HOLD.  Library Staff can also place a hold for you in person or over the phone.  We will call you or notify you by email or text when the item is ready to be picked up.

When an item is ready for pick-up, it will be held at the Circulation Desk for 7 days.
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