CLAMS Network
The Mashpee Public Library is a member of the CLAMS network and the public library for the town of Mashpee, Massachusetts. CLAMS is a consortium, or network of libraries, on Cape Cod and the Islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. We shares resources through a computerized system with Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs) located in each library. The online catalog for all member libraries provides information on the location and availability of materials owned by member libraries. Materials that are available for borrowing include books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, video games, and downloadable books. Patrons can access the online catalog from home or within each library.
A CLAMS card provides access to materials and services at the Mashpee Public Library. In addition, it provides access to the collections located in more than 35 CLAMS libraries and branch locations. Use it at any CLAMS library for borrowing materials. Return materials from any CLAMS library to any other CLAMS library unless otherwise specified by the owning library. Cape Cod Community College is a member of the CLAMS network. However, patrons must be a current student at the College to register for a College library card.
Library Card Eligibility
In Massachusetts General Law 78, Section 19B, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners established minimum standards for free public library service as part of the certification process:
Standard One requires that a public library be open to all residents of the Commonwealth.
Standard Six requires that a public library lend books to other libraries in the Commonwealth and extend privileges to the holders of cards issued by other public libraries in the Commonwealth on a reciprocal basis.
In accordance with these standards, residents of Massachusetts communities with public libraries certified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners are eligible for a free borrower’s card from the Mashpee Public Library. Library Trustees reserve the right, on a case-by-case basis, to deny borrowing privileges to residents of decertified communities. Persons not residing in, or owning property in Massachusetts may, for a fee, be eligible for library privileges at the Mashpee Public Library.
Library Card Registration Requirements
Adults (age 18 or older)
Massachusetts Residents
To apply for a new library card, register with the online patron registration form or the print registration form available at the public service desks at the library.
Photo Identification Required: Please visit the library in person and provide proof of identity in the form of a piece of identification with your name, and picture for a permanent library card. (Requests received via United States Postal Service, or other carrier can not be submitted.)
Proof of Residency: If the photo identification provided is not a Massachusetts driver’s license or passport with Massachusetts address, a current check book, bank book, voter registration card, car registration, utility bill, tax bill, lease, or other similar means of documenting a bona fide mailing address may be acceptable for establishing residency.
Non-Residents of Massachusetts
Non-Resident Fee: Borrowers who cannot provide the documentation noted in Proof of Residency are considered Out of State Borrowers and must pay the fee of $5.00 per year (any twelve month period) to register for a library card.
Exempted Non-Residents of Massachusetts
Borrowers not residing in Massachusetts must pay a non-resident fee to borrow materials from the Mashpee Public Library unless they can provide documentation demonstrating they:
- Own a home or property in Massachusetts.
- Reside in Massachusetts while attending school or training program.
- Stationed in a Massachusetts military unit.
- Work in Mashpee.
Documentation for the exemptions listed above may include documents listed for residency as well as lease or rental agreements, land deeds, school identification cards, military identification cards, or official notice from their school on letterhead stationery, other similar means of documenting a temporary residence, or proof of local employment.
Applicants must show identification with their permanent out-of-state address along with the documentation of their current temporary status.
Young Adults (Ages 12-17)
Massachusetts Residents
To apply for a Young Adult card, a patron must first fill out the online patron registration form or the print registration form available at the public service desks at the library.
For young adults between the ages of 12 and 17, a parent’s or legal guardian’s signature is not required to apply for a Library card. Applicants need to provide the name of a parent or legal guardian on the card application. Current picture identification (school I.D. or driver’s license) and proof of current address is required.
If proof of identification and current address documentation is not available, the parent or legal guardian needs to present his or her current picture identification and proof of current address at the time of application.
Records of cardholders ages 12 to 17 are considered confidential. Overdue notices and bills will be mailed to the patron’s address bearing the cardholder’s name.
Non-Residents of Massachusetts
To apply for a Young Adult card, a patron must first fill out the online patron registration form or the hard copy registration form available at the public service desks at the Library.
For young adults between the ages of 12 and 17, a parent’s or legal guardian’s signature is not required to apply for a Library card. Applicants need to provide the name of a parent or legal guardian on the card application. Current picture identification (school I.D. or driver’s license) and proof of current address is required.
If such documents are not available, the parent or legal guardian needs to present his or her current picture identification and proof of current address at the time of application.
Young Adults not residing in, or attending school in Massachusetts who cannot provide documentation of address are considered Out of State Borrowers and must pay the fee of $5.00 per year (any twelve month period) for the to register to for a library card.
Records of cardholders ages 12 to 17 are considered confidential. Overdue notices and bills will be mailed to the patron’s address bearing the cardholder’s name.
Children (Ages 5-11)
For children age 11 and under, a parent or a legal guardian needs to sign the Library card application and provide current picture identification and proof of current address. By signing, the parent or legal guardian accepts responsibility for settling fines, damages, losses, or other assessments against the library card of his/her child.
First Library Card (Birth to 5 Years)
Babies, toddlers, and young children can get a special First Library Card, which can be used to check out up to 25 juvenile items at one time. A parent or a legal guardian needs to sign the Library card application and provide current picture identification and proof of current address. By signing, the parent or legal guardian accepts responsibility for settling fines, damages, losses, or other assessments against the library card of his/her child.
Parents of Children under the age of 12 may ask for and obtain titles of materials that their children have checked out.
Educator/Teacher Cards
Educator/Teacher cards are granted to educators employed by facilities that educate or care for children/students at public, private or home based schools or institutions within Massachusetts. This card is to be used for up to 50 curriculum-related materials only. Materials checked out on this type of card are for use in the classroom or other institutional use, and may be lent out for 28 days with no renewals. DVDs will be lent for normal 7 day loan period.
Card will be issued with proper verification of employment (i.e. pay stub, school ID, note on business letterhead from principal or director, home school certificate), and should not be lent to co-workers, friends, or institutional volunteers.
Card is valid for one school calendar year, and all cards expire on June 30 annually, regardless of date of issue. Employment verification or proper documentation is necessary to renew a card.
Educators may have both a personal CLAMS library card and an Educator/Teacher Card. A patron’s personal library card account must be in good standing in order to receive or renew an Educator/Teacher Card.
Lost materials are the responsibility of the card holder.
Borrowing guidelines may vary at each CLAMS library. Be sure to ask for more information about loan periods, fines, reserves, etc.
Second approved user
Adults may wish to allow another adult to pick up holds or pay fines on their accounts. To do this fill out an approved user form at any time and this information will be recorded in the patrons CLAMS account record.
Parents and adult guardians have access to their child’s account, and may designate a second adult to share access by indicating this on their child’s (up to 12 yrs.) registration form. They may also fill out an approved user form at a later date to activate this option.
Library Card Privileges
Check-outs
- First Library Card: 25 Juvenile Items
- Juvenile Library Card: 50 Items
- Young Adult Library Card: 50 Items
- Adult Library Card: 50 Items
- Educator/Teacher Card: 50 Items
With a CLAMS library card in good standing, patrons may check out the maximum number of items (without restriction by format) listed above, with the following exceptions:
- eAudiobooks/eBooks: 5 Items/Card and 5 Items/On Hold
- Museum Passes: 2 Passes/Card Per Day
- Video Games: 5 Games/Card
Renewals
All items are renewable by phone, online, by text, or in person if no holds have been placed by other patrons. Eligible library materials will be automatically renewed if they are not returned on time. Three days before they are due, the CLAMS system will renew checked out materials and send an email with the new due date. Items may be renewed up to three times if no holds have been placed on the items by other patrons.
Commonwealth Catalog Requests
The CLAMS network is a participant in the Commonwealth Catalog program. The Commonwealth Catalog provides a single, searchable catalog of materials owned by participating academic and public libraries in Massachusetts. Patrons of participating libraries and networks may directly request material from libraries throughout the state.
The Commonwealth Catalog allows patrons with CLAMS library cards in good standing to:
- Simultaneously search many Massachusetts academic and public library catalogs.
- Request items that are unavailable at any CLAMS library.
- Pick up and return materials at a CLAMS library.
Each participating library determines which items in its collection it will lend, including books and other materials.
Material will take a week or more to arrive, depending on whether the item you request is available at a participating library, and where the owning library is located. When the item arrives at the Mashpee Library, you will be notified that your material is ready for pickup. Material must be returned to the Mashpee Library.
There is no charge for borrowing items or delivery of items ordered through the Commonwealth Catalog. The loan period for these items is 28 days. No renewals are allowed, and overdue fines are $1.00/day per item. Charges for lost or damaged items borrowed through the Commonwealth Catalog are determined by the lending library and may be significant.
Interlibrary Loan Requests
The Mashpee Public Library provides interlibrary loan service in order to enhance and extend the resources available to its users. Because the Library cannot purchase or subscribe to every useful resource, Interlibrary Loan is an essential part of its mission to meet the informational needs of the community. By establishing reciprocal borrowing agreements with other libraries of all types, both within Massachusetts and beyond, the Library supplements its own resources and expands its ability to achieve its mission.
Interlibrary Loan service is available to all registered cardholders in good standing of the CLAMS network. The Mashpee Library reserves the right to limit the number of items requested or borrowed by a single patron at one time.
Interlibrary Loan materials take from 2-4 weeks to arrive, sometimes longer, so please plan ahead. Photocopy requests are usually filled within a week. The Mashpee Library cannot guarantee delivery within a specific period of time.
The loan period for materials is established by the lending library. Most items circulate for 2 weeks. The due date is indicated on the white label or white band on the front cover. When a periodical article is requested, the lending library sends a photocopy, which the borrower may keep.
Lending libraries determine any conditions regarding the use of their materials. Limitations such as “No Renewals,” “In-Library Use Only,” and “No Photocopying” will be honored. Some lending libraries allow Interlibrary Loan materials to be renewed, others do not.
There is generally no charge for borrowing items through the Interlibrary Loan service, but patrons are responsible for any postage charges incurred in connection with delivery or return of requested items.
Library Card Responsibilities
All Mashpee Public Library patrons agree to the following:
Patrons will present their library card to check out materials. On a limited basis staff may access a library card account if presented with current photo identification. Patrons who are repeatedly unable to produce their library card will be required to obtain a replacement card at the cost of $3.00 for Adult cards and $1.00 for Young Adult and Children’s cards.
Mashpee Public Library patrons assume responsibility for the care and safekeeping of all materials borrowed on their cards. The card owner in whose name the card is issued assumes responsibility for settling any and all fines, damages, losses, or other assessments incurred by the use of their cards. Theft, defacement, or damage of library materials or property is against state law. (Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 266, Sec.99 and 100)
Please report changes in names, addresses, e-mail and telephone numbers to the Library as soon as possible in order to keep borrower records up to date. Patrons should also report lost, stolen, or damaged cards to the Library as soon as possible.
The Library encourages patrons to use their library cards exclusively and not to lend them for use by other persons. Under no circumstances should a patron use another patron’s library card to avoid paying any fees assessed against his/her own card. The use of false identification to obtain a library card or to check out library materials, or use of another person’s library card without his or her permission, is against state law. (Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 266, Sec. 99)
Fine-Free
We are a Fine-Free Library. Mashpee Library patrons will only be charged for damaged or lost items. If an item is not returned 30 days after its due date, the Library sends a notification asking patrons to return the item or pay the cost of replacing it. Overdue and lost materials returned in good condition will not incur a fee. Please remember that not all CLAMS libraries are fine-free. You may have fines elsewhere that will need to be paid. If a patron’s fees exceed $25, they will be blocked from borrowing library materials from the CLAMS network until the fees are reduced.
Loan Periods
| Books | 14 days | |
| eBooks | 7, 14 or 21 days | |
| Audiobooks | 14 days | |
| eAudioBooks | 7 or 14 days | |
| Music CDs | 14 days | |
| DVDs | 7 days | |
| Video Games | 14 days | |
| Magazines | 14 days | |
| Museum Passes | Varies | |
| Commonwealth Catalog Item | 28 days | |
| Inter-Library Loan Items | Varies | |
| Express Books | 14 days |
Patrons can check out eBooks and eAudiobooks for either a 7, 14 or 21 day loan period. Simply, select the preferred loan period during checkout. EBooks and eAudiobooks are “returned” to the Library on the due date automatically and will disable on all devices. Patrons should not adjust or alter setting on their devices to block the automatic return of eBooks and eAudiobooks.
In addition, the Mashpee Public Library maintains a small collection of “Express” books and DVDs. These browsing collections make popular books and movies available to more patrons more quickly. Patrons cannot reserve or renew “Express” titles. This provides an option for patrons who do not wish to place their names on the holds list for high demand titles.
Approved by Library Board of Trustees 9/17/2013
Adopted 10/01/2013