An Invitation to Apply for a Library Card

A Falmouth Public Library card may be used at 34 CLAMS (Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing Network) locations.
All Massachusetts residents are entitled to a FREE Falmouth Public Library.

A Massachusetts Drivers license or Registry’s picture ID is the easiest way to apply.

New residents who are residing in Massachusetts for six months or more are asked to bring a photo ID and proof of current address (lease, utility bill, cancelled mail or their listing on the library’s list of property owners) to our circulation desks. If your identification has a P.O. or business address, you still will need to show proof of your current home residence.

Teenagers not accompanied by an adult may show one form of identification, such as a report card, class schedule, bus pass or other school ID.

Children under 12 must have their application signed by a parent or guardian who is already a member of the library.

Out-of-state visitors may obtain a Temporary/Visitors card when their application is accompanied by a refundable $15.00 deposit.  Courtesy cards are extended to visiting scientists or students with WHOI, MBL, USGS, SEA or CLOC identification. No deposit is required.

Also offered during the registration process, is a form to apply for a PIN (Personal Identification Number) which will insure confidentiality of your library record and allow on line access to your record.

First time borrowers may borrow up to two items on their first visit. Children may borrow up to five items on their day.

Your library card is free and valuable! Please report lost or stolen card and any address changes as soon as possible. Replacement charge for lost cards is $1.00.

Materials checked out on your card are your responsibility. For your own protection, please do not lend your library card.

If you forget your card and wish to charge out materials you will be asked to show identification and sign a Temporary Borrowers Slip that may be used for that day (three allowed each year.) Privacy of Library Records

Falmouth Public Library records are considered confidential:

No one has access to your library record without your consent. This covers both personal information such as address and telephone numbers, as well as which materials you have checked out or on hold. The Library’s confidentiality policy is available at the service desks.

If you do not have your library card with you, you may be asked to provide some other means of identifying yourself. A Temporary Borrower’s Slip will be issued to you for that day. (three allowed each year).

Please have your library card number readily available, when calling on the telephone to inquire about your library record.

The computer only maintains a record of materials currently checked out. Once the materials are returned, the patron’s borrowing record is erased.

Parental Access to Children's Records:

Parents of children under 12 years of age may ask for and obtain titles of materials that the children have checked out.

Records of cardholders, age 12-18, are confidential, as are adult records, unless there is an outstanding balance for materials not returned to the Library after 30 days. Invoice information may be released when a parent or guardian is paying for the lost item/s.

Renewals:

Most materials borrowed from the Falmouth Public Library or any CLAMS member library may be renewed twice, unless they have been reserved by another patron. Videocassettes and DVD's without reserves may be renewed once.

You may renew materials in several ways:

• by using the FPL's online catalog on or before the due date under "My Millennium" or "My Account."  (please have your library card and pin number handy)
   
• by stopping in at any one of our three FPL libraries (please bring your library card with you)
   
• by calling any FPL library during hours of operation (please read your barcode number from either the back of your library card or at the top of your receipt slip.
   

Interlibrary Loan items borrowed from off-Cape libraries must be brought into an FPL Library and are renewed by special arrangement with the Interlibrary Loan Department.

Returns:

Materials, with the exception of Museum Passes, may be returned to the most convenient CLAMS library location. When a FPL library is closed, book drops and/or video drops are available at their main entrances. Items returned in the book drop after closing hours are removed from your record the next morning.

Privacy:

Falmouth Public Library protects your privacy and any book that is being held for you will only be given to you. However, if someone presents your card, the library will assume that you have consented to the transaction and we will release the item to another person.

You may reserve CLAMS network items in several ways:

• by using the online catalog from home or within the Library
• by filling out a request form at any of the service desks while at the library
• by calling on phone (please have your library card available)

Overdue Charges:

$0.10 a day
$1.00 a day for Videos, DVD's and Virtual Catalog items
$5.00 a day for Museum Passes

Maximum Fines:
$3.00 per Adult item
$1.00 per Adult Periodical

$1.00 per Juvenile item
$3.00 per Juvenile Videos and DVD's