Circulation

Library Cards

The library registers Lawrence residents above 7th grade with a picture identification (driver's license, Massachusetts identification, Passport, or school ID) and proof of address (utility bill, current month rent receipt, or currently postmarked mail). Borrowers 6th grade or below must have a parent or guardian's signature to obtain a library card.

MVLC Network

Massachusetts residents with a card from their hometown belonging to the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) network are welcome to use our library. If you are a member of another network (NOBLE, Minuteman, MetroBoston, Clams, Old Colony, or CW/MARS) we can register your card in our network.

Non-Residents

For an annual fee of $75 non-Lawrence residents may obtain a Lawrence Public Library Card which would give the borrower access to all of the services offered by the Lawrence Public Library including our extensive online Databases as well as access to the entire MVLC network.

Applications

  1. Library Card Application (PDF)
  1. Solicitud de Tarjeta (PDF)

Loan Periods

Items Number of Items
 Loan Period
Books 30 items total, limit of 5 DVDs (adult card)
10 (child, grade 6 and under)
 3 weeks
Books on Tape / CD
 30 items total, limit of 5 DVDs (adult card)
10 (child, grade 6 and under)
 3 weeks
Cassettes / CDs 30 items total, limit of 5 DVDs (adult card)
10 (child, grade 6 and under)
 3 weeks
Kits 30 items total, limit of 5 DVDs (adult card)
10 (child, grade 6 and under)		 3 weeks
Magazines 30 items total, limit of 5 DVDs (adult card)
10 (child, grade 6 and under)		 3 weeks
Videos and DVDs 30 items total, limit of 5 DVDs (adult card)
10 (child, grade 6 and under)		 1 week

Overdue Fines

Most items can be renewed once in person, on the phone, or through our online catalog if there are no requests on the item. A fine of $0.25 a day will be charged for overdue books, magazines, cassettes, kits, books on tape and books on CD. A fine of a $1 a day will be charged for overdue videos and DVDs.

Agency Cards

The library has developed a service that increases an organization's access to library materials. Agency cards encourage the staff and administrators of such programs to work closely with their residents/clients in the use and return of library materials. This approach is based on the organization accepting formal responsibility for the return of library materials charged out to its residents/clients. The Lawrence Public Library issues cards to organizations as a whole and/or to an individual resident or client at the discretion of the organization. 

All agency cards are held at the library and the organization can directly regulate its use by supplying a list of staff, residents, or clients authorized to use the card. Please come to the circulation desk at the main library if you would like to arrange to get an agency card.

Homebound Patrons

The library has developed a service for patrons unable to get to our library. If you can not get to us we can get to you. With a valid Lawrence Public Library card we deliver materials to Lawrence residents who can not get to our library because of age, illness, or permanent disability which prevents them from getting to our library. Please call the circulation desk at the main library at 978-620-3600 if you would like to arrange to get book deliveries.