West Springfield Public Library Card Registration

Any Massachusetts resident age 5 and older may apply for a West Springfield Public Library card, and as a member of C/W MARS, West Springfield Public Library accepts all other member library cards.

To register for a public library card, patrons should visit in person with a photo ID. Patrons may borrow up to three items the day of applying. The library card is then mailed and may be used at other area C/W Mars libraries. 

Required Information 

A patron's first and last name are required, and they will need to provide proof of identity and current address. Contact information such as a phone number, email address and/or mailing address is required. We may also ask for additional identifying information, such as date of birth.

Proof of Identity and Address Verification

Patrons should provide a photo ID to verify current address. Valid IDs include drivers license, state ID, passport, student ID or work ID. If the ID does not have the current mailing address, another proof of address may be required such as a personal check or a recent piece of mail. Positive identification for children can be provided by the parent or guardian.

Account Information 

Patrons will be issued a unique barcode for identification.  This barcode will be used for authentication, checking out materials, placing holds in the CW/MARS online catalog and e-content platforms, as well as for database access. Lost or missing cards should be reported to the library.  

A default password will be issued at the time an account is set up. Patrons are strongly encouraged to log into their account online or in the CW/MARS app and update their default password. Patrons can also place holds, renew items and pay charges, manage notifications, turn on borrowing history, and more.

Account Expiration

Library cards are valid for two years. Patrons with an email address on file will receive a courtesy email notifying them of an upcoming expiration date; please contact your local library to confirm contact and address information and renew expiring cards.

 

CW MARS eCard

An eCard is a CW MARS library card that you can register for online to access electronic materials, such as ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and databases.

The eCard is for patrons who do not already have a CW MARS library card and may be upgraded to a physical library card with borrowing privileges by visiting your local library.

You are eligible to apply for a CW MARS eCard, if you...

  • live in a Massachusetts town with a public library certified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to receive state aid,
  • are age 13 or older,
  • and do not currently have a library card from a CW MARS member library.

Click here to apply: https://wspringfld.cwmars.org/eg/opac/ecard/form

  

Borrowing & Fees

Borrowing Limits and Guidelines 

Each registered patron may borrow up to 25 items at a time, up to a maximum of 50 items checked out on one account at any given time. First-time borrowers who have just applied for a library card may check out three (3) items.

We may ask borrowers to limit their selected materials to no more than the listed quantity for each item type:

  • 12 periodicals (4 of any one title)
  • 3 puppets
  • 1 Youth Room Theme Kit or Discovery Kit
  • 4 media kits (Youth Room book & CD sets)
  • 8 DVDs or Blu-Rays
  • 1 pass to an area museum or zoo
  • 1 video game
  • 1 Library of Things item
  • 1 puzzle
  • 1 board or outdoor game
  • 1 Memory Kit

Renewing Materials

All CW MARS items have one automatic renewal for an additional loan period. If an email address is on file, a notification will be sent notifying you of upcoming due dates and renewals. If you have questions, please call (413) 736 - 4561 x 0. 

Please note that any items borrowed from outside of the CW MARS network are not eligible for renewals.

Overdue Fees

Museum Passes: $5.00 (five dollars) per overdue day. 

The Library is now fine-free on all other circulating materials. 

Suspension of Borrowing Privileges

Your borrowing privileges will be suspended if one or more of the following applies:

  • you have one (1) or more item(s) more than 30 days overdue (considered “lost”).
  • you claim to have returned more than three (3) items not found in the library.
  • your accumulated fines exceed $10.00. Once items returned intact, fines are forgiven.
  • you have had your privileges denied due to violation of the Library's Codes of Conduct.

Loan Periods

1 Day
Museum Passes

1 Week
All DVD's, Blu-Rays, and Magazines

2 Weeks
NEW Adult Books, NEW Young Adult Books, and Video Games

3 Weeks
All other books, music, audiobooks, puppets, puzzles, board games, outdoor games, Library of Things items, equipment, and multimedia kits

Other Information:

Library materials in bags must be returned inside during open hours. When the library is closed, most other items can be returned to the exterior book drop, including audiobooks, DVDs, Blu-Rays, and “red case” dispenser items. Items will be considered to have been returned on time if they are returned before 9:00am on the next open day after the due date.

$1.00 will be charged for lost or damaged dispenser red cases.

$5.00 will be charged for lost or damaged media cases or liner notes.

$5.00 will be charged for lost Playaway battery covers, cases, or lanyards.

The West Springfield Public Library is not responsible for any damage to equipment as a result of using library materials or as a result of illegal use or misuse of its resources.

The borrower assumes responsibility for all DVD's, Blu-Rays and video games while in their possession and is reminded of the copyright laws: the item is for private use only, which prohibits any other use, copying, reproduction, or public performance.

Please handle all discs with extreme care. They are easily scratched and cracked. If you notice that an item appears to be damaged, please alert a staff member before you borrow the item.

Replacement Fees for Lost or Damaged Materials:

  • Adult Nonfiction - $25.00
  • Adult Fiction - $23.00
  • Large Print Books - $23.00
  • Juvenile Fiction - $15.00
  • Juvenile Non Fiction - $18.00
  • Juvenile Picture Books-hardcover - $18.00
  • Juvenile Picture Books-trade - $5.00
  • Juvenile Boardbooks - $8.00
  • Beginning Reader - $12.00
  • Educational Theme Packs - Priced as indicated
  • Toys and Puppets - Priced as indicated
  • Paperback-Adult/Young Adult/Juvenile - $5.00
  • Young Adult Fiction - $18.00
  • Young Adult Non Fiction - $23.00
  • Magazine or Periodical - $3.00 for Juvenile and $5.00 for Adult/Young Adult
  • Compact Disc-Adult /Young Adult/Juvenile - $15.00
  • DVD and Blu-Ray - Adult/Young Adult/Juvenile - $20.00
  • Playaways - $50.00
  • Book and CD sets - replacement fee varies
  • Audio Books-Adult/Young Adult/Juvenile - replacement fee varies 
  • Museum Passes - replacement fee varies 
  • DVD Dispenser Cases - $1.00
  • Miscellaneous fees for cleaning/repair - $1.00 - $5.00

In lieu of the replacement fees listed, a patron may replace any lost or damaged items with an exact duplicate of that item with final approval upon inspection by the librarian-in-charge.

Other Fees

The Library does not charge fees for most services, such as the use of special collections, library-sponsored programs, borrowing materials, and faxing.

Printed pages or photocopies are $0.20 per page for black & white and $0.40 per page for color. Excessive replacements of lost or damaged library cards may be $1.00.

Refunds

A refund, minus a processing fee, will be granted to any patron presenting the payment receipt and found item within 30 days of payment. Patrons must complete a refund request form and will be mailed payment after the request is processed.