Borrowing

• Get a Library Card

  All Groton residents, property owners, Town of Groton municipal employees, and Groton public teachers and students are eligible to get a Groton Public Library Card. Apply for a virtual card online or visit the library with a photo ID and proof of address.

  Residents of other cities and towns in Massachusetts may use their hometown library in our system or apply for a Merrimack Valley Library Consortium Card (MVLC) online or in person with a photo ID and proof of address.
  

• 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 Type	Loan Period	Renewable
  Audiobooks (All)	3 weeks	Yes - 2 renewals
  Binge Boxes (DVDs)	3 weeks	No
  Book w/CD (Child)	3 weeks	Yes - 2 renewals
  Books	3 weeks	Yes - 2 renewals
  Chess Sets	3 weeks	Yes - 2 renewals
  DVD & Blu-ray (All)	1 week	Yes - 2 renewals
  eReaders	3 weeks	No
  Games (video)	3 weeks	Yes - 2 renewals
  Hotspots	1 week	No
  Kits (child)	3 weeks	Yes - 2 renewals
  Magazines	1 week	Yes - 2 renewals
  Music	3 weeks	Yes - 2 renewals
  Playaways	3 weeks	Yes - 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.
  

• Lost or Damaged Material

  If an item is lost or damaged, the replacement cost will be charged. Please contact the Circulation Desk at 978-448-1167 or circulation@gpl.org with any questions.
  

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