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Groton Public Library is now FINE FREE!

  • Get a Library Card

    Library staff at the Circulation Desk or in the Children's Room will be glad to give you a library card during regular service hours. Please bring a photo ID and proof of your current address (such as a utility statement) when applying for a card. All Groton residents aged 6 and older (or in the first grade) are eligible to get a library card free of charge.

    Residents of other MVLC towns may use their hometown cards at GPL. Residents of other Massachusetts towns may register their hometown card with us (bring your card and ID to the Circulation Desk when you visit the Library).

    Get a MVLC eCard

    An eCard is a Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) library card that allows you immediate access to electronic resources, such as e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines, streaming music and video, and databases.

    You are eligible to apply for an MVLC library eCard if you:

    • Are a resident of Massachusetts, and
    • Do not currently have a library card from an MVLC member library.

    Complete the online application to get your eCard and PIN now: https://ln.mvlc.org/grotonecard

    To borrow physical library materials, please stop by the library with a photo ID and proof of address to upgrade your card.

  • Check Your Account

    When you go to "My Account," you will be able to view what you have checked out, renew items, pay bills, place holds, and set account preferences.

    To log into your online account, visit the catalog or click the My Account link here or the icon near the top right corner of this website. You will be prompted to enter your library card number or username, as well as your password/PIN. If this is your first time logging in, enter your full 14-digit library barcode number without spaces, followed by the password/PIN.

    About your Password/PIN

    When accessing your library account through the online catalog, placing holds, or reserving museum passes, you will be asked to supply a library card number and a password/PIN. If you have not chosen a unique password/PIN your PIN was pre-set to the last four digits of your card number (for patrons who opened their account before 2017 or used the online application form, the preset password was the last four digits of the primary phone number on your account).

    To change your password/PIN, log into My Account, click the Personal Information tab, then complete the "Change Password" section near the bottom.

    If you forget your password and you have an email address on your account, simply select the “forgot your password?” link on the login screen, enter your library card number and a password reset will be sent to your email.

    If you need assistance with your password/PIN or if you are having trouble logging into your account, please email or call the Circulation Desk (circulation@gpl.org or 978-448-1167) or Reference Desk (info@gpl.org or 978-448-8000) for assistance.

  • Loan Rules by Material

    Loan Periods

    Material TypeLoan Period Renewable
    Audiobooks (All)3 weeks
    Yes - 2 renewals
    Binge Boxes (DVDs)

    3 weeks

    No
    Book w/CD (Child)3 weeksYes - 2 renewals
    Books3 weeksYes - 2 renewals
    Chess Sets3 weeksYes - 2 renewals
    DVD & Blu-ray (All)1 weekYes - 2 renewals
    eReaders3 weeksNo
    Games (video)

    3 weeks

    Yes - 2 renewals
    Hotspots1 weekNo
    Kits (child)3 weeks

    Yes - 2 renewals

    Magazines1 weekYes - 2 renewals

    Music

    3 weeksYes - 2 renewals
    Playaways3 weeksYes - 2 renewals
    Tote Bags

    3 weeks

    Yes - 2 renewals

  • Renew Materials

    Renewals

    Most items will be automatically renewed twice unless the item has been reserved by another patron. All items that are eligible for renewal will be automatically renewed three days prior to the due date.

    You may also renew your items in the MVLC Mobile App, online, by phone, email or in person at any MVLC library.

    • Online account: Login with your 14-digit card number and PIN. Under Library Checkouts, check off the items you want to renew (or "select all") and click the Renew button.
    • By Phone: Call the Circulation Desk at 978-448-1167 during business hours. Please have your library card number available.
    • By Email: circulation@gpl.org
    • In Person: At GPL or any MVLC library (you do not need to bring the items with you)

    Most items may be renewed twice UNLESS:

    • The item has been reserved by another patron
    • It has already been renewed twice
    • It's a non-renewable item (e.g., HOT Titles, equipment, special interlibrary loans)
    • Your account is blocked (if 20+ items overdue or $20+ in bills)

  • Place Holds / Request Materials

    Through the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) network, we have access to over 2.4 million items.

    Request items from other MVLC libraries from the online catalog.

    Log in with your library card and password/PIN. Search for the title you want, and click the “Place Hold” button on the right hand side of the screen.

    The on-screen will prompt you to select a pickup location. For Groton pickups, you will be contacted by either text, email, or phone (based on your preferences) when the item is ready. Items will be held for up to seven days at our Circulation or Children's Desks.

    For items not found in the MVLC, try the statewide Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat).

    Click on the Commonwealth Catalog (ComCat) link found on the left side of the catalog homepage. Then, sign in with your library card and password/PIN. You must be logged in to place a request. Enter your search terms in the search box and click the magnifying glass. Click the desired title to bring up the record’s details. If the title is available to borrow, you will see a “Request this Item” link. Click the link, verify your information and select a pickup location. Click the submit request button.

    For items not found in MVLC or ComCat, go to Interlibrary Loan.

  • Return Materials

    Library materials may be returned to either Groton Public Library or any MVLC library. However, non-MVLC interlibrary loans, museum passes, and equipment must be returned to the library where they were picked up.

    GPL has Book Returns located near the Library entrances and a drive-up book return in the parking lot behind the library. Most items may be place in the book returns.

USE THE MVLC MOBILE APP! Search the library catalog, check your account, see your library's upcoming events, and more.

MVLC Mobile App - Apple
MVLC Mobile App - Google