Home

Library Cards

Main Menu

Library Cards

The Jones Library and branch libraries offer many resources for patrons to use at the library and for use at home. Individuals must register for a library card in order to borrow materials and to access some resources online. The library card gives patrons access to over 6 million items in the C/W MARS network. In addition, patrons may request materials from libraries outside the C/W MARS network through inter-library loan.

The Amherst Town Libraries honor library cards from other public libraries in the C/W MARS network.

  1. Registration Procedure: Borrower's Card
    1. Most Massachusetts residents may register for a library card free of charge by providing the information requested on the application form. Students attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, or Hampshire College are considered Amherst residents as long as they have lived or plan to live in town over six months of the year.
    2. Residents of towns decertified or non-certified by the Mass. Board of Library Commissioners must pay an annual fee ($35 per person in FY 2009).
    3. Valid identification and proof of address are required.
      1. A current driver's license that lists the person's active mailing address will be accepted for both picture ID and proof of mail. If the driver's license does not have the current mailing address, a separate proof of address will be required. An out of state or an expired license may be used as picture ID.
      2. Borrowers who provide a post office box number as their primary address must list their place of residence (street address) as their second address. The library reserves the right to waive this requirement if other adequate contact information is provided, e.g. cell phone number and email address.
      3. Students at colleges in Amherst must provide a local mailing address and a permanent address. Valid college student photo ID that lists a current college mailing address will be accepted for both picture ID and proof of mail.
      4. Secondary school students age 14 and over may use a Jones Library children's library card as ID. If they are registering for the first time and do not have picture identification, the library will provide forms to be filled out by a parent or by a school administrator as alternate personal ID.
    4. Children are eligible to register for library cards at age 4 up through age 13. A parent or guardian must sponsor a child and co-sign their application.
    5. Out of state residents may register for library cards for a fee payable to the Jones Library, Inc. ($35 per person in FY 20059). International visitors are not eligible to register.
    6. The library does not issue cards to schools, groups, or institutions.
    7. Library staff members must follow the same procedures as all other borrowers.

  2. Borrowing
    1. Library patrons will receive service quickly by using their library cards. When a library card is not available, staff will require presentation of valid identification. Some services, such as online reserve and book renewal, require the use of the library card number. Children's library card numbers are filed at the Children's Desk, and parents may request a card for the child to carry.
    2. Lost cards will be replaced once per year at no charge, but there will be a small fee for additional replacement cards.
    3. The library reserves the right not to lend materials to a person who cannot present his/her own library card or a valid ID or to anyone who presents a library card registered to another person.
    4. Borrowing privileges will be suspended for failure to return, replace or pay for lost or damaged items valued at $10.00 or more at the Jones Library or another C/W MARS member library. Massachusetts law makes theft or mutilation of library materials a crime. Overdue fines and fees do not block use of Internet computers or online databases.
    5. Inter-library loan service is available only to borrowers who do not owe outstanding fees or fines. Network loans are available as allowed by C/W MARS policy.

  3. Responsibility of the cardholder

    Any person who signs, uses, or permits the use of his or her library card, or its number, agrees to be bound by the library's current rules and regulations. Persons who allow friends or family members to use their library cards do so at their own risk. Cardholders are responsible for all materials checked out to their cards. Patrons are urged to report lost or stolen cards immediately for their own protection.

  4. Confidentiality of use

    Both state law and library policy protect the privacy of borrowers' records. This protection includes the identity of borrowers and their personal reading. Library officials and employees will not disclose borrowers' records or personal information to others except pursuant to court order.

  5. Cards for Internet Access and Online Materials
    1. Library card numbers are required to use some library computers for Internet access. If a person does not have a borrower's card and does not wish to borrow materials, they can register for an Internet Only Card. This card is valid for Internet access at Amherst Town Libraries only but may be upgraded to a full service card by following the procedures in Section I.
    2. Applicants are required to provide Name, City or Zip Code, and must show proof of their name such as a picture ID. No proof of address is required.
    3. Visitors will be given a guest pass to use Internet computers.
    4. Library website users who do not have a library card with an Amherst card number (starting with D600 or 28119) may request one to gain access to licensed databases and online materials. Patrons may have more than one C/W MARS library card number attached to their patron record, for example, cards from both Forbes Library and the Jones Library.

      Adopted 8/8/91; revised 2/16/95, 4/18/00, 1/8/02, 3/2/05, 1/09.

      This page last updated on January 31, 2009.