Borrowing Policies

Borrowing Policies

Minuteman Library Network

The Medford Public Library is a member of the Minuteman Library Network. Card holders at the Medford Library may use their cards at any MLN library and vice versa. Loan periods, fine rates, and other policies may differ at each library. A list of the MLN member libraries is available at the Information Desk or here. To access MLN online, go to https://www.minlib.net.

Registering for a Library Card

Anyone who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts is eligible to apply for a Medford Library card. Access to select resources and databases may be restricted to Medford residents. 

To apply for a library card, the applicant must present the following: Current, valid Massachusetts driver’s license or State Identification Card with current address OR one document from section 1 AND one document from section 2 below:

Section 1: Proof of identification (current or expired; must include name and photo)

  •       Passport or Passport Card
  •       Alien Resident Card
  •       Government-issued cards, such as Military ID
  •       State-issued photo ID including  Welfare, Medicaid, or FID card
  •       University or school ID
  •       Senior/T.A.P. ID issued by the MBTA

Section 2: Proof of current Massachusetts address (must include applicant’s name)

  •       Utility bill or tax bill, dated within the last 60 days
  •       Lease agreement
  •       Imprinted bank check or deposit slip
  •       Official school schedule with the applicant’s name and address typed on it
  •       Official letter verifying residency and mailing address, dated within the last 30 days, from a social service provider, temporary employer that provides housing, or a short-term residence
  •       Postcard mailed to the applicant from the library
  •       Personal letter mailed to the applicant, postmarked within the last 60 days
  •       eBills

Note: for applicants who cannot produce photo identification or proof of current local address, someone in an official capacity may attest to a person’s identity and/or address (e.g., someone who works in an official capacity at a shelter may attest to the identity and/or address of a resident)

 

Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to obtain a library card. A child must be present in order for a parent or guardian to get them a card.

 

Teens between the ages of 13 and 18 who cannot provide identification and/or proof of address may have a parent or guardian attest to their identity and/or address. A teen must be present in order for a parent or guardian to get them a card.

 

Out-of-state residents may obtain a library card if they:

  •       Work in Massachusetts
  •       Attend school in Massachusetts
  •       Own property in Massachusetts
  •       Are temporarily living in Massachusetts for longer than 2 months

Out-of-state residents working in Massachusetts must provide a work ID and work address. Students must provide a school ID and school address. Property owners must provide verification such as a tax bill or utility bill for their Massachusetts property.

 

Out-of-state residents must also provide proof of home/permanent address, which will be registered as a secondary address.

 

Patrons may apply for a temporary card online by navigating to Minuteman’s “Register for an Online Card” page and applying using a valid email address. A card number will be emailed to that address which can be used to borrow materials from the digital catalog and place holds in the Minuteman catalog. The patron must physically visit the Library and provide identification and proof of address in order to receive a physical library card with full access to library materials and resources.

 

Using your Library Card

Any valid Minuteman Library Network card may be used to check out materials from the Medford Public Library.

 

In addition to presentation of the physical library card, other acceptable means of account verification for checking out materials include:

  •       Valid photo ID
  •       Barcode in mobile app
  •       Scanned/digitized barcode image
  •       Verbal recitation of barcode number
  •       A minimum of three verification parameters which may include, but are not limited to, having the patron correctly identify date of birth, address, telephone number, or other personal information in the patron record

Replacing your Library Card

Lost or damaged library cards may be replaced free of charge. Once a card is replaced, the previous card’s barcode number is deleted from the patron’s record and cannot be reused.

Confidentiality of Records

It is the policy of the Medford Public Library, as well as the Minuteman Library Network, to guard the confidentiality of all library users. Once an item has been returned, the computerized system maintains no trace in the patron’s record of items that have been borrowed unless an overdue charge is still outstanding. Once any charge is paid, all records of the associated check-out are eliminated.

Using their library card number and password to sign into their account on the online catalog [medford.minlib.net], patrons may enable a “Reading History” which will keep track of all items borrowed.  This feature is only accessible to the patron from within their online account.

Requests

Patrons with valid Minuteman library cards may request materials to be sent from other libraries both within and outside the Minuteman network. Patrons may place requests in person, over the phone, or through their online account by providing their library card number and password. There is a limit of 50 requests per patron account.

Patrons are notified that requested materials have arrived at Medford via email, or via telephone if they have not provided an email address. Requested items are held at the Circulation Desk for 7 days before being sent back to the owning library. Pickup deadlines may be extended for 2-3 extra days depending on demand for the requested material.

Patrons must check out requested materials using the same library card with which the requests were placed.

InterLibrary Loan

Items not available within the Minuteman network may be requested from outside the network and are fulfilled depending on availability. There is a limit of three out-of-network requests per patron per day.

Loan Periods

Loan Periods at the Medford Public Library are:

  •       21 Days: All books, Wonderbooks, music CDs, books on CD, Playaways, magazines, and most items from the Library of Things.
  •       14 Days: All DVDs, Blu-rays, video games, and Wi-Fi hotspots.
  •       1 Day: Museum passes

The Medford Public Library assumes no responsibility for damage to equipment.

Books from other libraries may have different loan periods.

Restrictions

Each patron may only have 6 video games checked out at any one time.

There is a limit of 150 total checked-out items per patron account.

If the total fine balance on a patron’s account reaches $100, their ability to borrow and request materials, as well as access online resources, will be suspended until the balance comes back under the $100 threshold.

Renewals

Items will automatically renew up to twice. Items cannot be renewed if they have been requested by another patron.  Items can also be renewed over the phone if the patron provides either their library card number or the barcode number of the item.

Notifications

Patrons will receive receipts for checkouts and renewals, as well as notification of requested materials ready for pickup, via email if an address has been provided. Patrons are asked to check their spam folders if they are not receiving email notifications.

If no email address is listed in the patron’s record, the Library will call to notify patrons that requested materials are ready for pickup.

Patrons may also sign up to receive text notifications by texting the word “SIGNUP” to 833-201-1813

With Shoutbomb text messaging (SMS) service, you can use your mobile phone to:

  •       Receive text notices about requests ready for pickup, courtesy renewal reminders, and overdue items
  •       Send a text to renew items or check your fine balance
  •       Get reminders about your account status before hitting fine limits or expiration dates

NOTE: The library does not charge a fee for this service, but your mobile plan’s text messaging rates apply.

Lost or Damaged Materials 

Patrons will be charged for lost or damaged items according to the price listed in the item’s record. The Library will also accept replacements of lost or damaged Medford materials with identical copies in new condition.

If an item is previously lost and paid for has been found, the patron must provide either a receipt or cancelled check to receive a refund from the City of Medford. If you are paying for a lost item, be sure to request a receipt. 

Lost or damaged materials belonging to other Minuteman libraries may be paid for at Medford using a check or money order only. Patrons may also pay to replace lost or damaged materials owned by any Minuteman library through their account on the online catalog. 

Not all Minuteman libraries will accept replacements of lost or damaged materials. Patrons hoping to replace non-Medford items should contact the owning library.

 

This policy was approved by the Board of Library Trustees on 7/17/26.