Policies

Loan Periods

  • Books and Magazines: 2 weeks
  • E-books: 1-3 weeks (you can choose loan time in account settings)
  • Compact Discs: 2 weeks
  • Non-fiction DVDs/Blu-Rays: 2 weeks
  • Fiction DVDs/Blu-Rays: 1 week
  • Binge boxes: 2 weeks
  • Electronic games: 2 weeks
  • Library of Things:
  • Ukuleles: 2 weeks
  • Wifi hotspots: 2 weeks
  • Nintendo Switch consoles: 2 weeks
  • Bicycles (in season): 1 week
  • Museum passes: 2 days, or as determined by venue (some are single-use e-tickets)
  • Commonwealth Catalog items: 28 days
  • Interlibrary Loan Items (outside SAILS system): 1 month, or as determined by lending library
  • Borrowers of movies, games, Library of Things items, or museum passes must be at least 18 years old.

Loan Limits

  • DVDs/Blu-Rays: 5 per person
  • Binge boxes: 1 per person
  • Music CDs /Audio CDs : 10 per person
  • E-books: 10 per person
  • Ukuleles: 1 per person
  • Bicycles (in season): 1 per person
  • Museum passes : 1 per person
  • Video Games: 2 per person
  • Commonwealth Catalog: 10 per person (includes on-order and checked-out)
  • Interlibrary Loans: 5 per person (includes on-order and checked-out)

Renewals

Library materials may be renewed in person, over the phone, or online from home. If there is no waiting list, books will automatically renew for another two weeks. Most items may be renewed twice.

Museum passes and Commonwealth Catalog items may not be renewed.

Interlibrary loans (out of network): may sometimes be renewed at the discretion of the lending library. Renewal must be requested before due date.

The library offers a choice of email, text message, or voice notification for overdue items and available holds.

Overdue Fines

  • Books and other materials:10¢ per day; maximum $2 per item
  • Video games and DVDs: $2 per day; maximum $10 per item
  • ILL/Commonwealth Catalog loans: $1.00 per day; maximum $10 per item
  • Museum passes : $5 per day
  • Wifi hotspots: $5 per day
  • Nintendo switch: $2 per day
  • Ukuleles: $2 per day
  • Bicycles (in season): $5 per day
  • Lost or damaged material: List price of item

Returning Borrowed Items

Most borrowed items may be returned to either the Fall River Library or any SAILS library. The library has an outdoor book drop, which is open at all hours for returning items.

Library of Things items, Museum Passes, Commonwealth Catalog, and Interlibrary Loan items borrowed through the Fall River Public Library must be returned here in Fall River.

Computer and Wi-Fi

The library offers open Wi-Fi access inside and outside the building and public computers available from opening until one half-hour before closing. A library card or guest pass is required to reserve internet computers. The library supports free public access to the web.

Library Cards

Any resident of Massachusetts can apply for a library card. Cards are issued at the library’s circulation desk (for adults and teens) or in the children’s room (children up to age 12). To obtain a library card, you must present a photo ID and proof of residence (such as a bill, lease, or piece of mail). Parents may present identification for children.

Fall River library card holders have borrowing privileges at all SAILS member libraries. They can request items from other libraries to pick up in Fall River, or can use their card at other libraries. Any resident of Massachusetts may use Fall River Public Library’s resources. For out-of-state residents, fees may apply; ask at the circulation desk.

There is no initial fee for a library card, but replacement cards (if the original is lost) are $5. Your library card comes with a regular wallet-sized card and a mini keychain card. You can also use the online SAILS catalog, Enterprise, and the reading app Libby on your phone.

Overdue Fines

  • Books and other materials:10¢ per day; maximum $2 per item
  • ILL/Commonwealth Catalog loans: 50¢ per day; maximum $5 per item
  • Video games and DVDs: $2 per day; maximum $10 per item
  • Nintendo Switch console: $2 per day
  • Ukuleles: $2 per day
  • Wifi hotspots: $5 per day
  • Museum passes : $5 per day
  • Bicycles (in season): $5 per day
  • Lost or damaged material: List price of item

Blocked and Expired Cards

Cards with $10 or more in fines outstanding will be blocked. The fines must be paid down to under $10 for the card to be used.

Cards automatically expire after 3 years, but can be re-activated by calling or visiting the library.