Library Cards
Permanent Cards
Getting a library card is easy! You do not need to be a Lincoln resident to receive a library card, but some library services are restricted to Lincoln residents only. We encourage Lincoln residents who may have a card from another Minuteman Library to obtain a Lincoln Library card, you will then have access to all our databases and services. You will need to present a valid Massachusetts Driver’s license or Massachusetts State Identification card with your current address, OR, a photo ID and proof of current address. Examples of photo ID include current school ID, military ID, and other state-issued identification. Examples of proof of address include an official school schedule with your name and address, and a bill or other official document received in the mail addressed to you and received at your address.
In case you lose your card we do not charge a replacement fee.
Please stop by the front circulation desk to obtain your card.
Juvenile Cards
Children birth through grade 8 may receive a card when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. To meet Minuteman Library Network identification requirements, the parent or guardian must provide proof of identification and address.
Temporary Cards
You can apply for a temporary online card to the Minuteman Library Network!
For more information & to apply just click here.
Lost Library Cards
It is easy to obtain a new library card at the library! Simply stop by the front circulation desk and present identification with your name & address. Please see “Permanent Cards” above for acceptable forms of identification. We will provide you a new card on the spot! We do not charge a replacement fee for lost cards.
Out-of-State Residents
Out-of State residents that work in Massachusetts, are students in Massachusetts, own property in Massachusetts or are living temporarily in Massachusetts may be issued a MLN card. Out-of state residents must provide identification showing their home address. Property owners must provide ID such as a tax bill or utility bill for their Massachusetts property. Students must verify their status with school identification and provide their permanent home address.
Temporary Residents
Temporary residents must show proof of their current address. They must also show proof of a permanent home address. These cards expire within 6 months of issue.
Loan Periods, Renewals, and Overdue Charges
Self-checkout
Self-checkout is available for those who wish to use it. If you have your physical library card or have downloaded your card to your smart phone you can use the self-checkout terminal.Download the Minuteman Library App and be able to check out books using your own smart phone!
Loan Periods
- Books – 4 weeks
- High Demand Books – 2 weeks
- Books on CD – 4 weeks
- Kindles – 4 weeks
- Music CDs – 2 weeks
- DVDS – 7 days : If more than 3 Discs: 14 days
- Periodicals – 2 weeks
- Speed Reads – 2 weeks, no renewals
- Children’s CD-ROMs – 1 week
- Video Games – 1 week
- Library of Things – 2 weeks, no renewals (some exceptions)
Renewals
Items received from outside the Minuteman Library Network are only renewable when we obtain permission from the owning Library. Please call the Inter-Library Loan Department for assistance for those items.
The Minuteman Library Network provides automatic renewals:
You will receive an email courtesy notice identifying which items are due soon and which items were auto-renewed. Items will be eligible to renew if:
- There are no holds on that title
- Your library allows this type of item to renew
- The item has not reached its maximum allowed renewals
- The patron card is not blocked or expired
If an item can not be renewed, the courtesy notice lists it as due in 2 days. If you do not have an email address associated with your account the item will still be automatically renewed. If you like you can still renew an item by calling the library or by logging into your account on the MLN home page.
June 2021 updates to Lincoln Library fine policy
In recognition of the American Library Association’s 2019 ” Resolution on Monetary Library Fines as a Form of Social Inequity” the Trustees of the Lincoln Public Library have voted to stop charging fines on overdue materials with the following exceptions:
- Items of our Library of Things
- Museum Passes
- Interlibrary loans from outside the Minuteman Library Network.
In order for an item to be eligible for fine free status it must be checked out here at the Lincoln Public Library. A bill for the full replacement cost will be automatically generated by the Minuteman Network if an item is not returned 42 days after the due date. Once the item has been returned all costs will be waived.
Returns
Lincoln Library materials may be returned to any Minuteman Library Network Member (MLN) . The Library also accepts returns of other MLN members loans.
COVID-19 updates: All library materials should be returned via our outdoor book drop prior to entering the building.
Library materials which are obtained through Inter-Library Loan (from outside the Minuteman Library Network) must be returned to the circulation desk at this library. These items will have a noticed attached to alert you to this. The overdue fine for Inter-Library Loans (from non Minuteman Library Network members) is $1.00 per day.
Museum passes
Some museum passes do not need to returned they are date specific. For those passes that do need to be returned will give them out in a large zippered pouch. They can be dropped off after hours in our book drop. If you lose a pass please let us know as soon as possible, we will contact the museum to arrange a replacement. It is completely up to the museum whether they issue us a replacement. If they choose not to you will be responsible for any extra costs associated with obtaining a new pass.
Interlibrary Loans
Find details here
