North Adams Public Library Policies
Library Cards

Getting an
Adult Library Card

Getting an adult library card from the North Adams Public Library is easy.  Adult cards are issued free of charge to residents of Massachusetts ages 14 years or older.  To obtain a card, please present two pieces of identification to verify your signature and current address Examples of identification include:  
  • valid driver's license
    		•
  • active credit card
    		•
  • valid student i.d.
    		•
  • passport
    		•
  • current utility bill
    		•
  • current rental/lease agreement
    		•
  • checkbook with printed address
    		•
  • mortgage statement
    		•

    Library cards are valid for 2 years
    and are renewable if there are no outstanding fines or fees.

    People not living in Massachusetts (Non-residents) may be issued a library card for an annual fee of $20 per family. Temporary borrowers (people using the library for 2 weeks to 6 months) may be issued a temporary card for $20. Visitor passes may be used by people visiting the area for fewer than 2 weeks, but only for in-house computer and microfilm reader/printer use.

    Cardholder's Responsibilities

    Protect your card.  Cardholders are responsible for all materials checked out on their library card. 
    Address and phone number changes must be reported immediately
    by coming to the library with proof of new address.

    A valid library card must be presented in order to check out materials. 
    If a patron has forgotten their card, an exception may be made, but not on a regular basis. 
    Proof of identification may be requested if you forget your card.

    If a card is lost, stolen or found, please notify the library. 
    There is a $2.00 replacement fee for lost or damaged cards.

    Cards are for use of the cardholder ONLY and may not be used by others.

     
    Getting A
    Child's Library Card

    Children may get a library card as soon as they are able to print their first and last names on the application or when they enter kindergarten. A parent or guardian must sign for any child under the age of 14 and show their library card or identification.  Parents are responsible for loss or damage to materials checked out on their child's card.

    Children may use any resources in the library and parents are responsible for the child's selection of materials.  We encourage parents to take an active interest in their children's reading and discuss with them appropriate uses of technology and library materials.

    Library cards are valid for 2 years
    and are renewable if there are no outstanding fines or fees.

    Parents should have their own cards, and may not use their children's cards.

    CWMARS Cards

    All circulating C/W MARS libraries honor cards from all other C/W MARS libraries.  In Berkshire County, the only C/WMARS circulating members are the David and Joyce Milne Public Library in Williamstown, the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield, the Lenox Public Library, Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams.  Residents from other communities who wish to have C/WMARS cards should decide which of those libraries they want for their "home" C/WMARS library and apply for a card at that library.  C/W MARS patrons will be subject to the same library rules as patrons issued a card from the North Adams Public Library.  This includes overdue fines, lost charges, etc.
    Under Massachusetts law, patron information
    and what any person borrows from our library is confidential,
    regardless of the person's age.

    Approved by Library Trustees on August 19, 1999;  updated January 24, 2001, updated again May 5, 2004