How Do I Borrow Library Materials?
Patrons must present their library card for all services, including computer use.
Registration of Borrowers for a Library Card
There is no fee to obtain a Brockton Public Library card. Residents of communities that are members of the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) may register for a library card in any OCLN library.
Digital OCLN Card:
Complete this registration form. Your e-card will allow you to place holds on print books, CDs, and DVDs. To borrow items from the library and access Brockton research databases (including those with e-books and magazines), you will need to upgrade to a permanent card when you visit.
Important Note: Patrons passcode used to access your account and for many online resources defaults to ocln all lower case.
Adult, Student & Children's Library Permanent Card See Below:
- Fines & Fees
- Loan Periods & Limitations
- Renewals & Reserves
- Museum Passes
- Project Outreach
- Interlibrary Loan
Fines for Overdue/ Lost Materials
The Brockton Public Library is a fine free library. Users will not incur fines on overdue items from Brockton but may still be fined for overdue items obtained from other libraries. Payment for lost or damaged items will also be charged to users.
Note: Library of Things Collection and Museum Passes still accrue fines.
Overdue Notices & Fees
- Patrons who have overdue materials will be notified by mail 21 days after the due date (3 days for videos). A second notice will be mailed 21 days after the first notice.
- Items overdue more than 60 days are assumed lost and billed accordingly.
- The patron will pay the price that is generated by the computer for a lost or damaged item. The library will not issue refunds if the lost item is subsequently found.
- A $1 fee will be charged for any audio or video case that is not returned.
Paying Fines Online
For amounts of $5 or more, you may pay online using a credit card.
To pay with a credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa):
- Log into your library account
- Select Fines/Current Fines and follow the on-screen prompts
Online payment is immediate. If you have been blocked from placing holds or renewing items because of outstanding charges, paying them online will immediately resolve your account charges and restore full library privileges.
| Material | Loan Period | Borrowing Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Books | 14 days | N/A |
| Audio Books, Music CDs | 14 days | 6 per card |
| Classroom Science Kits and Pamphlets | 14 days | May be limited |
| Videos and DVDs | 7 days | 5 per card on items owned by Brockton Public Library |
| Magazines and Children's Magazines | 14 days | N/A |
| Museum Passes | 24 hours | One per day - must be reserved ahead |
| Reference Materials | 1 day with permission from Reference Librarian or Branch Librarian | N/A |
Class/school assignments may result in some limit on the number of materials that may be borrowed by one patron. Other limitations may include Holiday Books and Summer Reading List items.
Renewals
Renewals may be requested by telephone or in person (library card required) or through the OCLN online catalog with a library card and PIN. Renewals cannot be made for items on reserve for another person, reference materials, museum passes, and items that have reached their maximum number of renewals. Items eligible for renewal will be extended for the same length of time as the original borrowing period.
Holds / Reserves
Holds may be placed on any available item in the OCLN network in person at the computer catalog or by telephone with an OCLN card. Telephone requests are limited to two items.
- Materials not owned by any OCLN library may be requested from non-OCLN libraries directly via the Commonwealth Catalog or by submitting an Interlibrary Loan Request Form (with a limit of three).
- Non-OCLN materials borrowed via the Virtual Catalog have a loan period of 28 days with no renewals. Materials borrowed via hand written Interlibrary Loan Request Forms have a loan period of 11 days with no automatic renewals. There is also a $5 SHIPPING FEE for items located outside of Massachusetts.
- Museum passes and discount coupons are held at the Main Library. Patrons must pick up and return passes to that location only.
- An active adult Brockton Public Library card is required to reserve a library pass cardholders with library records in good standing..
- Passes may be reserved ahead by phone or in person up to three months in advance.
- Passes may be picked up ONE day in advance of vist (Monday passes available Saturday) only at Main Library.
- Due to current circumstances Museum passes may be picked up 48 hours in advance, this is temporary and we will keep you updated. Also we strongly urge you to contact the musem before your visit for ticket booking information and Hours.
- A valid card must be presented at time of checkout.
- Only the patron who reserved the pass or discount coupon may pick it up or must call to verify the name of the person picking it up for them.
- Up to two different passes or discount coupon per day may be borrowed.
- $1 per day overdue fine
Discounts
Discount coupons do not have to be returned as they are exchanged at museums for discounted admission. For all others:
- Passes circulate for 24 hours and must be returned by 9 am the day following the pass date.
- Fine for a lost pass is $25.
Through Project Outreach a library driver can deliver books, magazines, videos, and other library materials to Brockton residents who are physically unable to access the library building. For more information, visit our Project Outreach page.
We can get materials from other libraries through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Our ILL Department borrows materials that are not available in Brockton or other Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) libraries.
Anyone with a valid OCLN library card may request an item through ILL. Before you submit an interlibrary loan request, please search the OCLN library catalog. You may also want to search the Commonwealth Catalog to see if you can request the item directly from a Massachusetts library outside OCLN.
If you can't find what you want, print and fill out the Interlibrary Loan Form (PDF) and leave it for Anne Fleming at the reference desk, or for Kathy Donahue at the check out desk. We'll do our best to get it for you.
Adult Card
To obtain an adult library card, fill out the Adult Application Form (PDF). Adults must show identification showing their name, photograph, and current address.
Acceptable photo identification:
- Driver's license
- Massachusetts ID (issued by Registry of Motor Vehicles)
- Passport
- Military ID
- Student ID
Acceptable current address identification:
- Any of the above photo IDs which also show current address
- Checkbook
- Utility bills
- Lease agreement
- Personal mail with current cancellation stamp
Students
Students Grades 9 through 12 must show one of the following pieces of identification:
- Driver's License with current address
- Current school ID with photo.
Students Grades 7 - 8
Students must show an official school document (i.e. report card or class schedule) for identification to receive a library card. Those without identification will follow the requirements for a children's card.
Children's Card
To obtain a youth library card for children to Grade 6, fill out the Child Application Form (PDF).
Children through grade six may receive a library card when they are able to print their first and last name or are at least in kindergarten. A parent, grandparent, or legal guardian/foster parent must be present and show identification with a current address. The application must be signed by the adult.
Lost Cards
Patrons must present identification for a replacement card.
- Students - High School ID or official school paper
- Children - Parent present with ID