Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing Privileges

Where can Jones Library cards be used

Your Jones Library card can be used at any of the public libraries in the Western Region of the C/W MARS system.

What can be checked out

Books, videos, books-on-tape, books-on-cd, software, cds, DVDs, and magazines published within ten years from the Adult collection.
Books, videos, cds, DVDs, books-on-tape, books-on-cd, software, and magazines from the Children's collection.
Video players, tape recorders, polaroid camera, TTY's, magnifiers and closed caption decoders from the Audio/Visual collection.

Borrowing from other libraries

Items from other libraries in the C/W MARS system, Virtual Catalog, and other parts of the country can be sent to the Jones Library and checked out to patrons. Our Reserves Page has more information.

Returning Materials

Items borrowed from another public library in Western Massachusetts may be returned at the Jones Library and vice versa.

What cannot be checked out

Reference books, Special Collections Materials, and magazines older than 10 years.

Museum passes

Thanks to the Friends of the Jones Library System, we have several passes to area museums. Please check the catalog for the current list. For more information, talk to the staff at the Children's Desk.

When privileges are denied

Library card privileges, which includes reserving and interlibrary loan services, are denied when a patron owes outstanding fees or fines of $10.00 or more.

Overdue notices/bills

Overdue notices are sent via email and are sent when an item is 1 week overdue, sooner if it is a 7-day loan. Bills are sent in the regular mail when an item is 4 weeks overdue. If we do not have an email address for you, the first notice you receive in the mail will be the bill for the item(s) overdue

Address changes/lost cards

Report address changes or lost cards at any of the Circulation Desks or the Front Office. Replacement cards are free.

Lost/damaged material

Patrons have the responsibility to replace or pay for any Amherst items that are lost or damaged. Replacements must be an exact copy of the item. Failure to replace or pay for lost or damaged items valued at $10.00 or more can result in suspension of borrowing privileges at the Jones and at other libraries in the C/W MARS system. Payments for lost or damaged items from other town libraries may be paid for, by check only, here at the Jones or its branches (replacements are not accepted).

Databases

With the Jones Library card and Internet access, patrons can use a number of databases for research without stepping into the Library. Read our Databases page for more information.