Present your Minuteman Library Network library card to borrow items from the Woburn Public Library. Please note: The following are Woburn Public Library’s policies; other Minuteman libraries have their own policies.
To get a free Library Card, you must
*If you have yet to receive mail at your current address, ask us to send you a postcard that you can use as proof of residency.
With your Woburn Public Library card, you:
Lost library cards should be reported immediately.
*To access your online account and our electronic and downloadable collections, you need a PIN (Personal Identification Number). To obtain a PIN, please either see our circulation staff or follow the steps outlined on MLN’s website (http://www.mln.lib.ma.us/catalog/faq_account.htm). PINs cannot be issued over the phone.
For more information regarding the use of your library card, please refer to our circulation policy.
| Type of Item | Maximum Amount | Lending Period | # of Renewals Allowed | Fine per day per item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DVDs | unlimited | 1 week | 1 | $0.00 |
| TV Series | 7 | 2 weeks | 1 | $0.00 |
| Audiobooks & CDs | unlimited | 3 weeks | 2 | $0.00 |
| New Fiction | unlimited | 2 weeks | 0 | $0.00 |
| Fiction | unlimited | 3 weeks | 2 | $0.00 |
| Nonfiction | 3-adult, 1-children’s | 3 weeks | 2 | $0.00 |
| Magazines | 5 | 2 weeks | 0 | $0.00 |
| Out-of-MLN ILLs | unlimited | 28 days | 0 | $0.00 |
We want your visit to be a pleasant one. Use of the library is intended to be for reading, research, studying, collaboration, and learning. The library does not allow any behavior that is disruptive to library use. These behaviors include but are not limited to:
❖ Theft of or damage to library materials and/or equipment
❖ Disruptive cell phone use
❖ Vulgarity or obscenity in speech, actions, or publicly viewed material
❖ Loitering
❖ Leaving bicycles in the building or on the library’s property, unless in the bicycle rack
❖ Eating or drinking near computers
❖ Smoking, alcohol use, and/or drug use
❖ Soliciting or selling
❖ Petitioning/distributing materials
❖ Objectionable personal hygiene
❖ Disrespecting, contaminating, or vandalizing library spaces, including the restrooms
❖ Disrespectful or threatening conduct toward other patrons or staff
❖ Not wearing a shirt or shoes
❖ Leaving children unattended by a responsible caregiver (For more information, please ask for our Safe Child Policy.)
This serves as notice. The library need not issue further warnings regarding these behaviors before issuing a No Trespass notice. Library staff have the authority to implement library policies and to determine appropriate standards of conduct. Patrons whose behavior is objectionable will be asked to leave. Minors may be asked to leave until a parent/guardian has been consulted. Failure to leave immediately, as requested, is regarded as trespassing.
Approved by the Woburn Public Library Board of Trustees on May 5, 2015.The Woburn Public Library welcomes children of all ages to enjoy programs and make use of its library collections and services. It is the first step in encouraging lifelong learning. While the library staff strives to create a safe and comfortable place for children, it is important to note that the library is a public building, and as such can be an unsafe place for children alone. The library staff is here strictly to assist children with their library needs; the staff is not licensed to perform child care. Library staff cannot take the place of parents/guardians, nor can they assume responsibility for unsupervised children. To ensure the protection and wellbeing of our young patrons, the following policies have been established.
1. Preschool children aged four and under must always be closely supervised (“within sight”) by a responsible adult.
2. Children between the ages of five and eight must be directly supervised (in the same room or area of the library) by a responsible adult. Caregivers must remain in the building while a child is attending a library program.
3. Children aged nine and older left unattended must be mature enough to follow the library’s Patron Behavior Policy. Consequences for violating this policy may include being asked to leave the library. As a general rule, if a parent or guardian feels a child is not mature enough to be left home alone without supervision, or to leave the library building alone, he or she is not mature enough to be left unattended in the library. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior by unattended children will not be tolerated. The disruptive child will be given one warning; and notice that a second warning will mean ejection from the library. If ejection should be necessary, a reasonable attempt will be made to notify a parent/guardian by phone.
4. Numerous unexpected events may occur, requiring that the library close without notice. Children should have an emergency phone number with them when using the library unattended.
5. Parents/guardians are expected to supervise and manage children’s behavior while using the library. Disruptive behavior, including running, shouting, screaming, throwing objects, pulling large numbers of books from shelves without intending to use them, jumping or climbing on library furniture, banging on computer keyboards, or otherwise interfering with other patrons’ use of the library, are not acceptable. If parents are unable to curb the child’s disruptive behavior, the family will be asked to leave the library.
6. At closing, if unattended children remain in the building they should have the means to contact a parent/guardian. If the parent/guardian is “on the way,” at least two staff members will wait for 10 minutes with the child outside the library. If a parent/guardian cannot be reached, or doesn’t arrive within 10 minutes of the library’s closing time, the Woburn Police Department will be called to take custody of the child until the parent/guardian can be located. A copy of this “Safe Child Policy” will be given to the parent or to the police to give to the parent once he/she arrives to pick up the child. Under no circumstances may staff transport children from the library to any location.
7. In an effort to keep the Children’s Room a safe and comfortable place, the children’s department is reserved for use by children, their parents/caretakers, teachers, and those using the collection. Adults not accompanied by a child who are not using the collection will be asked to move to the Adult Services section. Computers in the Children’s Room are reserved for children; caregivers may borrow laptops to use in the Children’s Area if necessary.
Approved by the Woburn Public Library Board of Trustees, September 11, 2018
The Woburn Public Library has public computers with internet access and word processing available for patron use. Because demand often exceeds supply, the Library reserves the right to enforce time limits. To do this, we require that each pc user logs in using his/her own Minuteman Library Network borrower card number. Use of another’s borrower card is forbidden and may be the basis for denial of computer privileges. Visitors to Woburn who want to use one of our computers may be provided a guest card at the reference desk.
The Woburn Public Library does not monitor or exert control over information accessed through the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Parents or legal guardians must assume the responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet through the Library’s connection. Restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. To assist parents/legal guardians, the Minuteman Library Network’s home page has suggested sites which are of interest to children, adolescents, and parents.
Users of the Library’s computers must not access the Internet for illegal purposes, nor transmit threatening or harassing messages or materials, nor send, receive, or display text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene. Users must not tamper with the equipment. Do not turn off the machines. Do not try to reconfigure the system! Misuse or abuse of the Library’s equipment will result in suspension of access privileges.
Approved by the Woburn Public Library Board of Trustees, September 6, 2005That part of the records of a public library which reveals the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using such a library shall not be a public record… General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 78, Section 7
The Woburn Public Library is a member of the Minuteman Library Network. This policy is based on MLN’s Privacy Policy, set forth and adopted by all member libraries.
The Woburn Public Library is committed to user confidentiality. The confidentiality of library records is a core part of library ethics, and the Woburn Public Library follows the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association.
The intellectual pursuits of individuals using library or Internet resources are considered confidential information regardless of the age of the borrower.
Confidentiality extends to information sought or reviewed, and materials consulted, borrowed, and include databases’ search records, reference interviews, circulation records, interlibrary loan transactions, registration records, and all other personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities, or services.
Circulation, registration, and information retrieval records may not be disclosed except to:
1. Persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library system.
2. Persons authorized by the cardholder to inspect the individual’s records and act as designated borrowers by the cardholder.
3. Representatives of any local, state, or federal government, pursuant to subpoena or search warrant authorized under the authority of federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or investigative power. Upon receipt of such a process, order, or subpoena, the Director will notify the Board of Trustees and consult with the City Solicitor to determine if such process, order, or subpoena is in proper form and if there is a showing of good cause for its issuance. If the process, order, or subpoena is not in proper form or if good cause has not been shown, such defects must be corrected. Library staff should refer all formal requests for circulation or registration orders to the Library Director.
4. The Library occasionally conducts promotional campaigns to inform the community of our services. The Library at those times may use patron email or postal addresses for the library’s internal mailing lists. The Library does not sell, lease, or otherwise distribute or disclose patron name, email address, postal address, telephone number, or other personal information to outside parties.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on February 7, 2017
The Woburn Public Library supports its mission of enriching life in the community by developing and presenting programs that provide additional opportunities for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, literacy support and community connection.
Ultimate responsibility for programming rests with the Library Director, who in turn, delegates program management responsibility to the Assistant Library Director, the Youth Services Librarian, and other designated staff.
In developing and delivering programs, the library staff utilizes staff expertise, collections, equipment, and facilities. The following criteria are used in making decisions about program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources.
Anyone interested in presenting a library program may submit a program application (below) that will be reviewed according to the above criteria. The library’s philosophy of open access to information and ideas extends to library programming. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program or the views expressed by participants.
Library staff who present programs do so as a part of their job. In addition, the library draws upon community resources in developing programs and attempts to partner with other community organizations, educational, and cultural institutions or individuals to present and/or co-sponsor programs. Library programs are supported by the Friends of the Library, the municipal budget, and various grants.
All programs at the library are open to the public and normally offered free of charge. A fee may be charged for certain types of library programs, such as where there is a cost for materials to participate in the program. Tickets may be sold for special library events.
Performers or authors may sell books, CDs, or DVDs as part of a library program. Programs sponsored by the Friends of the Library may include the sale of merchandise as a fundraiser to benefit the library. Sale of any other products at library programs is not permitted unless authorized by the Library Director or designee. Programs are not used for commercial, religious, or partisan purposes or for the solicitation of business.
Due to space limitations or due to the nature of the program, attendance at programs may be limited. Registration for programs may be done on the library’s web site calendar of events, or by calling or visiting the library. Some library programs do not require registration. In some cases, the nature and success of a program may require a limited attendance based on age, as in the example, programs intended for children and teens that are geared to their interests and developmental needs.
Approved by the Woburn Public Library Board of Trustees, September 11, 2018
