Library Cards & Borrowing

Get A Library Card | Lost or Expired Cards| Borrowing Periods | Renewing | Returning Materials |

The Pawtucket Public Library is a member of OSL (Ocean State Libraries).

• The Pawtucket Library accepts and issues OSL library cards. Your one OSL library card may be used at all other Rhode Island OSL public libraries.  Access the Ocean State Libraries Library Catalog to view the holdings of the Pawtucket Library and all other OSL libraries, check your library account and place holds.

Library Cards

Rhode Island Residents
To obtain a free OSL library card in person, please visit the Circulation Desk inside the Library to fill out a short application. Please bring positive identification and proof of your current Rhode Island address. For children under the age of 13 years old, a signature of the parent or guardian is required on the application. You may also apply for or renew an expired Ocean State Libraries card online.

Non-Rhode Island Residents
Option One: Full-use statewide Ocean State Libraries card
Non- Rhode Island residents may obtain a statewide Ocean State Libraries card for an annual fee as long as their community has a library certified according to their state requirements. The current fee is $200.00

Note: Non-Residents from other states who own property (land) in Rhode Island and therefore pay property taxes may obtain a free Ocean State Libraries card upon proof of ownership, such as a current tax bill.

Option Two: Paid local-use-only Pawtucket Library card
Purchase a Pawtucket Public Library local use only card for $40 per year. With a local use card you may borrow only Pawtucket materials. Holds may be placed on Pawtucket materials for you by Pawtucket Library staff members.

Note: Free Local-Use-Only Pawtucket Library Cards may be issued to:

• Non-Rhode Island residents who attend Pawtucket schools for the period school is in session. 
• Current and retired Pawtucket municipal employees who live outside the state. The card must be renewed annually.

Lost or Expired Library Cards

Call the library to report your card lost. If you do not report your card missing, you are responsible for any items checked out on your card. Get a new card by visiting the Circulation Desk or applying for a replacement card online. You may also renew an expired library card online.

Borrowing Periods

• Loan period three (3) weeks for all books, including audiobooks. Books will automatically renew twice, unless the item is on hold.
• Overdue Fines: None! The Pawtucket Library is fine free.

DVDs & Video Games

• Limit of five (5) movies per library card. Limit of one (1) video game per library card. No limit on educational or non-fiction DVDs. 
• Loan Period Movie DVDs & games have a 7-day loan period. Non-fiction DVDs and television series DVDs have a 3-week loan period. 
• Renewals DVDs & games cannot be renewed. 
• Overdue Fines None! The Pawtucket Library is fine free!
• Video and DVD Borrowing Restrictions for Minor Children The Pawtucket Public Library does not restrict access to the material in its video and DVD collections based on the age of the borrower. According to Rhode Island Public Library Standards it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to monitor the selection of materials of his or her minor children. The parent may request that the Pawtucket Public Library restrict borrowing on a minor’s library card to videos and DVDs of particular rating categories, such as: G, PG, PG13, and R. Please ask for this form at the Circulation Desk.(Approved by the Board of Trustees 6/20/06)

Pawtucket Library is Fine Free!

• All Pawtucket Public Library materials circulate fine free. 
• Overdue Pawtucket Library items will not generate fines, but borrowing will be suspended until all overdue materials are returned. 
• The Pawtucket Library must still collect fines on items owned by other Rhode Island Ocean State libraries that charge fines as per OSL Policy. 
• Library patrons will still be responsible for the replacement cost of items lost, damaged or never returned.

Reserves

To place a hold on an item:

• Use the Library Catalog to place an item on hold.  You will need your library card number and PIN.
• Call the Reference Desk (401) 725-3714 x220/221 or chat/text us 401-753-3706.

Renewals

Many library materials will automatically renew twice. Renewals will not go through if the item is on reserve for another patron or if the owning library does not allow renewals on that item.

You may manually renew materials by:

• Calling the Circulation Desk - (401) 725-3714 x201
• Accessing your account in the Library Catalog
• Using the Telephone Renewal Service, available 24 hours a day (401) 736-0965. You can renew books and check your account via this number. Please note: if you have phone notification as your preferred method of contact, you will receive calls from the following numbers: 401-736-0966, 401-736-0967 and 401-736-0968

Returns & Bookdrops

Materials may be returned to any OSL public library in Rhode Island. Return materials into one of our three book drop locations:

Bookdrop #1 -  Inside the Library at the Circulation Desk in the main Lobby. Open during library hours.
Bookdrop #2 - Outside and located just to the right of the main entrance. Open 24/7
Bookdrop #3 - Drive-up bookdrop on Summer Street across from the Library (on the corner of Summer & Maple). Open 24/7.

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