Circulation Policies

All patrons wishing to borrow materials must apply for a library card. Anyone who [1] lives, [2] attends school, or [3] works in Massachusetts is eligible for a free library card. Patrons who do not meet any of these three criteria have the option to pay a yearly fee of $75.00 to obtain a SAILS library card.

An Attleboro Public Library card is valid at all SAILS public libraries, and all SAILS public library cards are valid at the Attleboro Public Library. For a list of all SAILS libraries, click here.

Any cardholder can borrow any materials from the library without regard to age, except for museum passes and hot spots, both of which are only available to adults 18 years and older. Patrons must bring items to be borrowed to the Circulation Desk for checkout. Patrons returning their borrowed items must leave them at the Circulation Desk area designated for checking in items.

Due dates for all library materials are set in accordance with library borrowing policies. After checkout, library staff can provide patrons with an email or paper receipt, listing the items checked out and their due dates.

Museum passes and hot spots will accrue fines if they are not returned by their due date. A $1.00 fee will be applied for each museum pass each day it is late. A $5.00 fee will be applied for a hot spot each day it is late. Additionally, items requested and borrowed from the Commonwealth Catalog or Inter Library Loan outside of the SAILS Library Network will be subject to late fees if not returned on time.

Patrons are responsible for the items borrowed on their card. Patrons will be assessed for lost items or items damaged while in the patron’s possession.

Items that are not returned for 14 days after the due date are considered lost. A bill for lost items will be applied to the borrowing patron’s library account. When the item is returned, the bill is removed. If the item is not returned, the patron is responsible for the cost of the item. Replacement items are not accepted without prior approval from the library’s Head of Circulation Services. Call (508) 222-0157 and ask for the Head of Circulation Services to discuss potential replacement items.

UPDATED 9/1/2023