About the Library | Library Policies | Circulation Policy

Library cards

A library card MUST be presented at time of check out in order to borrow materials.

Thompson residents

Library cards are free to all Thompson residents of any age. Proof of residency and/or photo identification is required. Cards are issued for a term of 3 years, and will be renewed in person upon the verification of current address/telephone information.

Temporary cards

A temporary card will be issued when a patron can not provide proof of residency. The patron may borrow no more than 2 books for a two week period. A letter is mailed to the address provided, which the patron must then bring to the Library to have their privileges extended.

Out of town (ConnectiCard) - Under Section 11-31 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, any Connecticut resident with a valid card issued by his or her home public library may borrow from any other public library in the state. The Thompson Public Library will not issue cards to out of town residents.

Out of state - A card will be issued to out of state residents with proof of residency for use at the Thompson Public Library only. Effective January 1, 2009 – Adult patrons will be issued a card for an annual fee of $35 with proof of residency. Card is for use at the Thompson Public Library only. Patrons meeting any of the following exceptions will be issued a card at no charge. Exceptions include: children attending any Thompson school, Thompson property owner, or is employed in Thompson. Proper verification is required.

Seasonal - A card will be issued to seasonal residents with proof of local and home residency. This card is for use at the Thompson Public Library only. The card is free.

Children - Please see separate policy

Teachers - Please see separate policy

Replacement Cards – The first time a card is replaced, a $2 fee will be charged. The second and subsequent requests for a new card will be charged $5.

Lending periods

Three week loan period
Books, audiobooks, musical CDs
magazines - current issue of weekly magazines do not circulate
Chilton’s car repair manuals - $10 deposit per book required, returned at checkin

Fourteen day loan period
Non-fiction movies

Seven day loan period
Fiction movies, Daypacks

Three day loan period
Cultural attraction passes

System down time - In the event the computer system is unavailable/"down", patrons will be limited to borrowing 2 items per family and a valid library card must be presented at time of check out.

Item limits

Audiobooks: Adult titles must be borrowed on an adult card.
Cultural attraction passes and daypacks – Limit one per family per day. Must be borrowed on an adult card. Movies: Limit of 10. Must be borrowed on an adult card.
Musical CDs: Must be borrowed on an adult card.

Renewals

With the exception of movies & cultural attraction passes all items may be renewed once for an additional loan period allowed unless on hold for another patron.

Fines

Fines are not charged for days the Library is closed.
Patrons owing $5.00 or more in fees will be blocked from using their Library card.
Homebound patrons are not charged fines.

Books, magazines - .05 per day per item, not to exceed $5.00 per item
Cultural attraction passes and daypacks - $2.00 per day per item, not to exceed $10.00 per item
Movies - $1.00 per day per item, not to exceed $10.00 per item
Audiobooks, musical CDs - .25 per day per item, not to exceed $5.00 per item
Children’s books – no fines if borrowed on a child’s card.

Payments - We appreciate our patrons resolving any fees owed to the Library. Please note the following: checks will only be accepted for amounts OVER $5. Checks are to be made to the order of Thompson Public Library. Also, patrons will be assessed a $20 fee in the event a check is returned to the Library/Town from any banking institution due to insufficient funds.

AB / Approved by the Library Board 11/30/06
AB / Revision approved by the Library Board 5/15/08 RE Out of State Patrons
AB / Revision approved by the Library Board 6/6/08 RE Movie loan periods
AB / Revision approved by the Library Board 6/19/08 RE Item limits
AB / Revision approved by the Library Board 2/19/09 RE Movie limits and fines

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