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Borrowing Policy

Circulating materials at the Milford Town Library may be borrowed by anyone with a valid C/W MARS Library card. Under Massachusetts Law, what any person borrows from our library is confidential, regardless of the person's age.

There is a system-wide C/W MARS limit of 50 items borrowed per library card.

Unless the material is on reserve, all Milford Town Library materials may be renewed, except for Library of Things materials.

Material Types

  • Books can be checked out for 3 weeks with 1 renewal. Reference books do not circulate.
  • Magazines can be checked out for 1 week with 1 renewal.
  • DVDs/Blu-Rays can be checked out for 1 week with 1 renewal. Certain TV series and multi-disc sets may be borrowed for 3 weeks with 1 renewal. Respect copyright laws. Don't duplicate OR violate home use agreement.
  • Video Games can be checked out for 1 week with 1 renewal.
  • Music CDs can be checked out for 3 weeks with 1 renewal.
  • Audiobooks can be checked out for 3 weeks with 1 renewal.

NOTE: For all audiovisual materials, the library is not responsible for any damage to the borrower's equipment.

Library of Things

Items from the Library of Things collection can be borrowed for a period of 2 weeks with no renewals. These items must be picked up and returned here at Milford Town Library, and cannot be sent in transit to other C/W MARS libraries. Overdue fines are $2.00 per day up to a maximum fine of $10.00 per item.

Treat materials gently and they will last longer... Borrowers are responsible for the cost of replacing damaged or lost items, including cases, inserts and boxes. Don't leave audiovisual items in hot cars or in the sun!

Museum Passes

Museum Passes are provided through the generous donations of the Friends of the Milford Town Library. Anyone can join the Friends of the Milford Town Library with a basic membership fee of $15.00 per year.

You may reserve a museum pass online here, or by calling the Milford Town Library.

Library patrons may borrow up to 2 passes per day/weekend. Each pass may be used only once per month per card.

Passes are due back by 9:00 a.m. the day after they are used. All passes returned after 9:00 a.m. will be fined $2.00 per day, up to a maximum fine of $10.00 per pass. In addition to the overdue fine, a person who returns a pass late will be charged for any museum admission costs incurred by others as a result of the pass not being returned on time.

Returning Items

Milford's Library of Things items must be returned directly to the Circulation Desk.

For all other items, for your convenience, the library provides a book drop located to the right of our front door. The library is not responsible for books and other materials left in the book drop. Under no circumstances should library materials be left outside of the book drop!

You may also return Milford materials to any other C/W MARS member library, where they will be checked in, sorted, and delivered back to our library.

Renewals, Fines, and Blocks

Most library materials will be renewed automatically for another loan period. If an item you have out is automatically renewed, you will receive an email notifying you of the renewal.

The Milford Town Library is now “fine free” and no longer charges overdue fees (with the exception of Library of Things items and Museum Passes). However, items that are overdue for 28 days are automatically marked "Lost,” and patrons with lost items are then blocked from checking out further items until the lost item is returned or paid for. Damaged items likewise create a block on the patron account, and must be paid for in order to use the library account.

Lost or damaged items may be paid for with cash or check at the Circulation Desk; or you may access your library account via our library catalog and then pay with a credit card. If you need help, please ask a Circulation staff member for assistance.

Library Cards

Why do I need a library card?

If you want to borrow physical or digital items (via Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, etc.) from our library or other libraries in Massachusetts, you need a library card. Items will be loaned only to people with a valid library card. Your card should be presented each time you borrow an item. Library cards are non-transferable, which means that only you may use your card.

How do I get a library card?

It is free to get a library card!

If you are a new borrower, 14 years of age or older, please visit the Circulation Desk to apply for your library card. You must present positive identification, showing your name and current address, such as a valid driver's license (with new address label if changed). If you do not have a photo I.D., we require 2 other forms of identification showing your current address.

Children between the ages of 5 and 13 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will be required to show the above identification and sign for the child.

If you have never had a library card in the C/W MARS network, and would like to access digital materials only, you can also apply for an eCard! (You can upgrade to a full-use library card later by visiting the library in-person with your identification.)

What if I lose my card?

A good way to have a duplicate of your current library card number is to download the C/W MARS mobile app from your app store (Apple App Store or Google Play), and add your library card number! The app offers you a digital card, plus the ability to place and track your holds and checked out items.

Lost physical cards may be replaced by a borrower in good standing at the Circulation Desk.

What if the item I am looking for has been borrowed by someone else or is not owned by the library?

To place a hold on an item that is not currently available for checkout, you may do so via our library catalog, or please speak to a Librarian at the Information Desk or Children’s Desk. If we don’t own an item here, other C/W MARS libraries will send their items to you here at Milford! If no C/W MARS library owns the item you want, you may search other MA library networks with ComCat, or speak to a Librarian for help with interlibrary loans.

For both reserves and interlibrary loan, when an item is ready to be picked up, you will be notified by telephone or email. Items will be held at the front desk for 7 calendar days after you are notified. If an item is not picked up within that time frame, it will either be sent back to the owning library, or (if the item has holds by other patrons) will be sent to the next patron on the holds list.

What happens if my dog chews up an item that I borrowed from the library, or I lose an item that I borrowed?

If you lose or damage library materials, you must pay for the replacement of the item(s) before you will be allowed to borrow from the library again. Totally damaged, unusable, or lost items must be paid for at the full replacement cost plus a nonrefundable processing fee.

Lost or damaged items may be paid for with cash or check at the Circulation Desk; or you may access your library account via our library catalog and then pay with a credit card. If you need help, please ask a Circulation staff member for assistance.