Any Massachusetts resident may get a library card. As of November 17, 2011, Minuteman Library Network has adopted the following policy to verify the credentials of patrons. The following are minimum standards required before creating a new patron record.

Each user will be issued only one patron account in the Minuteman database. The exceptions are students or faculty of MLN academic institutions, who may have a card from their academic institution as well as from their public library.

1. Valid ID(s)

  Before creating a new patron record, the individual must obtain the following:

- Current, valid Massachusetts Driver’s license or Massachusetts State Identification Card with current address.

- OR…one document from Section 1 AND one document from Section 2 below:Show MoreClose

2. Ways to Apply

  Apply in person in the library, or online

3. Library Card Pick Up

  In 3 business days, your library card will be ready to pick up at the circulation desk. You must present a picture ID and proof of address to a circulation staff to retrieve the new card.

Notices: Children, Teens, Out-of-state Residents Applicants  Show MoreClose

Patrons are allowed a total of 150 items to be checked out to their account. There is a limit of 20 requests per account. Items cannot be borrowed or renewed if the overdue charges are over $5.

You are responsible for items checked out to your card. Please pay in person or online for lost or damaged items. We do not accept replacement copies and no refunds are issued.

The replacement fee for a lost or damaged Virtual Catalogue item is $100.00.

The replacement fee for a lost or damaged ILL item varies depending on the lending library’s policies.

Discounted passes are available to Newton residents. You can make reservations through our website or over the phone at (617) 796-1390. Passes can be booked up to eight weeks in advance.

If you would like to cancel a reservation, please do so online or call the Audiovisual Department.

Pick up the pass the day before your reservation or the day of. If the library is closed the pass may be picked up two days before. Please bring your library card to pick up the pass.

The pass must be returned the SAME DAY that it has been used. There is an overdue charge of $3 per day if returned late. Please return to a Circulation desk if the library is open or in the overnight book drop if we are closed.

The library is not responsible for honoring reservations when passes have not been returned by the previous borrower.

In order to log into "My Account" please enter your library card number, as well as your Personal Identification Number (PIN). This will allow you to:

• Place requests
• Renew items
• Pay fines
• Freeze requests
• Cancel requests
• Modify personal information (i.e. create Username, change email and reserve pick-up location)
• Keep a list of what you’ve borrowed (Link to “my reading history”)

Most library materials are renewable as long as no reserves are pending. To renew, please have your library card number ready. You may renew items: online, by phone (617-796-1360), or in person. Overdue materials may also be renewed, however fees will apply for the days the materials were late. Items cannot be renewed if charges are over $5.

To reserve an item you will need your library card number and PIN. You can do this online or in the library. You can also call the Reference 617-796-1380 for adult materials and 617-796-1370 for children materials.

You cannot reserve:

• Most recent magazine issue
• Reference materials
• Speed read books
• Video games
• Playaway Views

• Feature Films & TV Shows added to collection in the last six months
• Kindles
• Museum Passes

You will receive an email or letter by mail when your reserve is ready for pick-up. Reserves must be picked up within seven days.

Reserved material must be checked out on the library card of the borrower who has placed the reserve. This policy is in accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 78, Section 7, 1994. Reserves connot be released to any individual other than the cardholder unless individual has the card in hand or reserve pick-up notice.