BORROWING INFORMATION

The Circulation Desk is located on the Main Level. Apply for a library card, replace a lost card, and borrow or return materials here. Online catalogs are available on each level of the library for patrons to search for materials, place holds, review library accounts, or make payments for lost or overdue materials using a credit card. Staff is always available to assist patrons and provide guidance in using the online catalogs and finding materials.

Find these materials on the Main Level:

Books on CD
Music CDs
New Fiction
DVDs & TV Shows

World Language

New Books (Fiction and Mystery)
Fiction
Leased Books (No Holds/No Renewals)
Mystery
Paperbacks

Large Print (Fiction & Nonfiction)
Current Newspapers
Current Magazines
Library Displays
BookPage Current Issue

Borrowing Privileges

All patrons must have a valid library card with them (or their driver’s license) to borrow materials. Use of CardStar, StoCard, or similar smartphone apps is allowed. Displaying a photo of a valid library card that can be enlarged and scanned on your smartphone is also acceptable.

Patrons may check out unlimited library materials, except for video games. Video games are limited to a total of three (3) per household, regardless of whether they are from the Children’s, Young Adult, or Adult collection.

Thayer Public Library is fine free (with the exception of our Library of Things collection). Many other libraries in Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) are fine free as well, however please keep in mind that fines accrued for overdue items will vary from library to library. Depending on what library your item(s) come from, and can be as much as $2.00 per item per day. Patrons may not check out items if there is a balance of $15.00 or more on their records, or if account has multiple overdue items.

Material Loan
Period 		Overdue Fine
Per Day 		Lost Fee
Books 2-6 weeks $0.00 Per Item
Books on CD 2-6 weeks $0.00 Per Item
DVDs 2-6 weeks $0.00 Per Item
Magazines 2-6 weeks $0.00 Per Item
Music CDs 2-6 weeks $0.00 Per Item
Library of Things 2-6 weeks $1.00 Per Item
B&T 14 Day Leases 2 weeks $0.00 Per Item

BOOKS
Loan Period: 2 weeks
Overdue Fine Per Day: 0.10
Maximum Fine: 5.00

MAGAZINES
Loan Period: 2 weeks
Overdue Fine Per Day: 0.10
Maximum Fine: 5.00

CDs
Loan Period: 2 weeks
Overdue Fine Per Day: 0.10
Maximum Fine: 5.00

VIDEOS
Loan Period: 1 week
Overdue Fine Per Day: 0.10
Maximum Fine: 5.00

DVDs
Loan Period: 1 week
Overdue Fine Per Day: 0.10
Maximum Fine: 5.00

VIDEO GAMES
Loan Period: 1 week
Overdue Fine Per Day: 1.00
Maximum Fine: 5.00

MOBILE HOTSPOTS
Loan Period: 2 weeks
Overdue Fine Per Day: $1.00
Maximum Fine: No maximum

Returning

Adult and young adult items should be returned at the Circulation Desk on the Main Level. Children’s items should be returned at the circulation desk in the Children’s Room on the Upper Level. Two drop slots near the Parking Lot Entrance are open for returns at all times — one for books and one for DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, etc.

Overdues

Patrons are encouraged to return library materials on or before their due date to avoid fines and make items available to other patrons. There is a three-day grace period, but the grace period only applies to books, DVDs, and CDs belonging to the Thayer Public Library.

Materials that are not returned within thirty (30) days of their due date will automatically be billed as “lost.” A final notice will be sent approximately two weeks before the charge is assessed. If an item is returned after it has been billed, the borrower  will be responsible for the overdue fine. Please note that checks returned to the library with insufficient balance to pay will incur an additional $25.00 fee. Notices and bills are sent by email, if an email address is associated with the account. Please make sure that email addresses on all adult and children’s cards are kept up to date.

Lost/Damaged Items

Patrons are responsible for all library materials that they check out. If a patron loses a library item, they will be required to report the item lost and pay the replacement cost of the item. If the library staff determines that an item has been damaged beyond repair while checked out to a patron, the patron will be charged the replacement cost.

Bills totaling over $5.00 in fines, lost items, or other bills may be paid with a credit card through the online catalog‘s secure third-party payer system. No credit card information is retained by OCLN or member libraries. Log into the catalog with your library card number and PIN. (Default PIN is “OCLN.”) Accept terms of service and enter credit card information from the “Fines” tab under “My Account”. There is a 50-cent transaction fee.

Lost items belonging to Thayer Public Library may be paid for by cash, check, or money order at the Circulation Desk. Thayer Public Library cannot accept cash for items belonging to other libraries. (Please note: Checks returned with insufficient balance to pay will incur an additional $25.00 fee.)

Renewing

Most items will be eligible for renewal twice, unless holds have been placed on them. Renewals can be done in person with either your card or the item itself; over the phone (with library card number or item barcode number); or through the online catalog. Most new or in-demand items will not be renewable because others are waiting for them. Leased books are never renewable.

Automatic renewal is now available to patrons on an opt-in basis:

  • Log in to your account through the online catalog
  • Select “My Account”
  • Click “Personal Information”
  • Select “Preferences”
  • Check the box next to “Automatically renew eligible items I have checked out”

Items that are eligible for renewal will renew automatically two (2) days before the due date. Email notification will be sent if automatic renewal is successful. Not all items will be able to be automatically renewed.

Holds

Placing holds is a way of reserving items that are not immediately available in the library but can be borrowed through the OCLN Library Network. Placing a hold ensures you will receive the item as soon as a copy is available.

Holds may be placed on most items. You may do this from your home computer, through the online catalog, or over the phone. To do this yourself, you need your library card number (referred to as “User ID”) and PIN. (Default PIN is “OCLN.”)

If you call the Circulation Desk and have your card number available, the circulation staff will be happy to place up to two holds for you at a time. When the library receives the item, you will be notified by telephone or email. You have seven (7) full business days to pick up the item on hold.