Borrowing Basics

Begin Your Library Adventure with a Card!

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Who Can Get a Card

• Anyone who lives in North Brookfield or the surrounding areas is eligible for a library card.

• Minors under 18 need a parent or guardian to co-sign and present proof of address.

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How to Get a Card

• In Person: To receive a physical library card, visit the library with a valid photo ID and proof of your address (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement). Our friendly staff will set you up!

• Online eCard: To start borrowing eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital items immediately, sign up for an eCard online through CW MARS. Later you can come to the library with proof of residency, and we’ll upgrade your eCard to a full membership.​​

• First-time CW MARS library cards are free of charge. Replacement cards cost $1.00.​

 

What's CW MARS?

• Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing! This regional consortium and online network of 150+ public and academic libraries includes the Haston Free Public Library.

• Your CW MARS library card lets you borrow from any library in the system, with millions of physical and digital items.

• A free courier service delivers your items for pick up at Haston Library or the library of your choice.

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Your Account

• With a CW MARS library card, you automatically have an online account with your items checked out, due dates, renewals, and titles on hold. You can also keep a Reading History, if you wish.

• Click on My Account at the top of any page on this website, and enter your library card number.

• Check "Keep Me Signed In" to save your card number and password.

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Renewing Your Account

To ensure that we have your current contact information, CW MARS accounts are renewed every two years.

• You will receive an email notification when your account needs to be renewed. 

• Visit the library with your library card, a photo ID, and proof of current address, and we'll update your account so it stays active.​

• If you have a lost item on your account, a new card cannot be issued until your account is cleared.​

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Cardholder's Responsibility

All library cardholders are responsible for following library policies and assuming responsibility for the use of their card. 

• Report any changes: Notify the library if your mailing address, phone number, or contact information changes.

• Report a lost or stolen card: Let us know right away to avoid unauthorized use.

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Borrowing & Returning/Renewing

 

We offer a diverse collection of materials to borrow, including books, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, and items in our Library of Things. We also offer special borrowing programs. And returning and renewing materials is easy and convenient! 

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Online Borrowing & Holds

The online CW MARS catalog allows you to order books and other materials at the Haston Library and all CW MARS libraries.

• To order materials from our library, select North Brookfield in the search dropdown menu.

• To search other libraries, select All CW MARS Libraries in the search menu.

• When placing a hold, select the library where you will pick up your item, such as North Brookfield.​ 

• We can also place an item on hold for you—simply ask at the front desk, and we'll assist you!

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Special Borrowing Programs

We offer a variety of services to help you access even more materials around Massachusetts.

• Interlibrary Loan (ILL): Don’t see what you’re looking for in our collection? We can request it from another library!

• Libby: This Library Reading app allows you to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more for free with your CW MARS library card. Learn more.

• Kanopy: A wide selection of independent films, documentaries, foreign cinema, educational videos, and children’s programming to stream for free with your library card. Learn more.

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Loan Periods & Lost Items

Please check your account and/or receipt for the due date, as library loan periods vary.

• Books & Audiobooks: 3 weeks

• DVDs & Blu-ray: 1 week

• Magazines: 1 week

• All books and materials are due on their due date unless renewed, so that other patrons may enjoy.

• We are a fine-free library, which means there are no daily fines for overdue books.

• If an item is 30 days overdue, we will assume the item is lost and charge the replacement cost to your account.

• If you owe more than $10, you will not be able to check out additional materials until the balance is cleared.

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Returns

• In Person: Bring items back to the library during our regular hours.

• Book Drop: Use our 24/7 book drop located in front of the library. 

• CW MARS Libraries: You can also return Haston Library materials to any CW MARS member library! 

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Renewals

• Automatic: Eligible materials are renewed automatically. You'll receive an email confirming the renewal.

• Online or Call: You can also renew most materials online through your library account, or by calling us at (508) 867-0208. 

• Movies and Magazines: 1 renewal is allowed.

• Books: 1 or 2 renewals, depending on the lending library’s policy.​​​

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Questions?

Contact us here, call us at (508) 867-0208, or stop by the library to speak with our staff!