Question 1

How do I get a library card?

Accepted Answer

Apply for a physical library card at either of the Turner Free Library's help desks with your photo ID and proof of current address! 
Children under the age of 12: must apply in person at the library with a parent or guardian. The child’s parent or legal guardian must present their own photo ID and proof of current address.

Young adults ages 12 to 17: may present a school ID or driver’s license to verify both their identity and address. Young adults may apply for a library card with or without a parent or guardian present.

Can’t make it to the Turner Free Library in person? Sign up for an eCard t(https://catalog.ocln.org/client/en_US/ocln/?rm=OCLN+ECARD0%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7Ctrue&dt=list)o use our electronic resources. If you want to borrow physical materials, you can upgrade to a physical card in person.

Question 2

I forgot my PIN! How do I reset it?

Accepted Answer

By default PINs are OCLN but you can also reset your PIN online:
1. First, go online to catalog.ocln.org
(http://catalog.ocln.org/)2.Click the "log in" option, which should be near the top-right corner of the screen
3. Click "forgot my PIN" when the login window pop ups to receive a password reset email!

Question 3

My books/audiobooks/movies are overdue, what will happen?

Accepted Answer

The Library has removed late fines on overdue books, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, or video games owned by the Turner Free Library. Some of the items in the “Library of Things” collection accrue fines as indicated on the item labels, but please contact Library staff with any questions.

Please note: Materials owned by other OCLN libraries may have varying fines based on the library that owns the item. For more information, check your loan receipt or view your library account online via the OCLN website.(https://catalog.ocln.org/client/en_US/randolph/?dt=list)

Question 4

I lost or damaged a library item, what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Library materials are used regularly and we know that sometimes mean they get lost or damaged. You’ll be responsible for the cost of replacing the item, but in many cases, the Turner Free Library is able to accept the donation of a replacement item in lieu of a replacement fee. The replacement copy must be new and it must be the same as the lost item. For instance, a patron must provide a hardcover book to replace a hardcover book. Please contact Library staff with questions about what donated replacement items can be accepted.

Parents/guardians are responsible for all materials checked out on the cards of their children

Please note: Other OCLN libraries may have varying charges and replacement policies; please contact the owning library for more information.

Question 5

Can I borrow a WiFi hotspot?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can borrow WiFi hotspots and many other items from our "Library of Things" collection,(https://www.turnerfreelibrary.org/library-of-things) including technology, games, and much more! Due to their significant popularity, hotspots may only be borrowed for one week and there is a $5.00/day late fee.

Question 6

How do I borrow an eBook?

Accepted Answer

You can check out an eBook using any of the resources on our Digital Books, Movies, Games, & More (https://www.turnerfreelibrary.org/digital-resources)page. You will need to use your library card number and PIN to sign up for a free account, and in most cases you will need to install an app on your device. Some of our most popular resources are:

Libby(https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby?)
Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more for free with Libby, the library reading app.

Hoopla (https://www.hoopladigital.com/?showLogin=true)
Borrow and enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines, or music for free with your library card!

Kanopy(https://www.kanopy.com/en/turnerlib/login)
Stream movies for free online! Choose from nearly 30,000 films, including world cinema and documentaries.

Question 7

Can you tell me what items are checked out or overdue on my child/spouse/relative's library card?

Accepted Answer

No, while we will be happy to call, email, or mail a list of those items to the card holder using the contact information listed on their library account, Turner Free Library staff are required to protect the confidentiality of library records under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 78, Section 7.(https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter78/Section7) Under state law, “that part of the records of a public library which reveals the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using such library shall not be a public record…." and Library staff are not permitted to disclose information about an individual's use of library materials, facilities, or services to anyone but the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.

Library staff can only disclose circulation, registration information, and information retrieval records to:
1. The cardholder (with card or other proper identification). NOTE: This is regardless of age or relationship. For example, parents cannot be told what materials a child has checked out without the child’s consent.
2. Staff of Old Colony Library Network acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library system, and in facilitating interlibrary loans. 
3. Representatives of any local, state, or federal government; pursuant to subpoena or search warrant authorized under the authority of federal, state, or local law; relating to civil, criminal, or investigative power. Upon receipt of any such subpoena or search warrant, the Library Director will consult with legal counsel to determine if the subpoena or search warrant is in proper form, and if there is a valid basis for its issuance, before providing confidential information.

For more information, please view our Patron Privacy Policy.(https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fDJb5yRT9stcxwLaNydTsuBaSH8KrdWeJs2oHJa7VHM/edit?tab=t.0)

Question 8

I forgot my library card, can I still pick up my holds or borrow other library materials?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you can provide a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID.

For children under the age of 12, a parent/guardian must provide their Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID. The child must be present or the parent/guardian must have been previously added to the “care of” line on the child’s account.

Young adults ages 12 to 17 can present a Massachusetts driver’s license or school ID (such as a physical card or via an app such as PowerSchool) to meet this requirement.

Question 9

Can my child/spouse/neighbor/friend's pick up my library materials for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only if you have previously confirmed an authorized user by requesting that a specific individual be added to the "care of" line on your library account. Authorized users are only able to borrow on hold items and must use their own OCLN cards for any additional borrowing or other use of library services (e.g. computer access, reservations of the Turner Free Studio, replacing library cards, etc). The card holder remains responsible for ensuring that all materials are returned or be subject to late fines or a replacement fee for the item.

Question 10

What does it mean for a library card to be "in good standing"?

Accepted Answer

A library card in good standing means there are no blocks on the card. A block could be in place for a number of reasons including but not limited to: an expired card, multiple overdue items, or replacement cost fine(s) greater than $15.00.

Question 11

Is my public computer use tracked?

Accepted Answer

No, the Turner Free Library does not log public computer use beyond confirming that a valid library card number was entered. After logging out of one of the Library's public computers, all files as well as all local data (i.e. browsing history, downloads, etc) is deleted and cannot be recovered. The Library also does not track internet access on its public WiFi network or Chromebooks. For more information, please view the Library's Patron Privacy (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fDJb5yRT9stcxwLaNydTsuBaSH8KrdWeJs2oHJa7VHM/edit?tab=t.0)and Internet Safety and Computer Use (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W1bXZcF7GxN-_QAt_sQ51OvcMZ5tNoqe_44Its8hpYw/edit?tab=t.0)policies.

Use of some Library systems, such as printing, and associated apps may generate usage records. For each print job, the document name, page count, and associated printing cost is recorded in the Library's printing system. Pending print jobs remain active only until the end of the Library's business day, and the print system's job log and transaction history is purged monthly.

Library services such as Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, and others have their own privacy policies and we encourage you to visit the vendor's website or to contact Library staff for assistance.

Additionally, the Old Colony Library Network (OCLN) has a publicly-available privacy policy (https://catalog.ocln.org/client/en_US/ocln/?rm=PRIVACY+POLICY2%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C0%7C%7C%7Ctrue)which outlines the scope and use of any visitor data collected on  OCLN sites.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We love questions, it's part of our job as librarians! We've put together some of the most common questions and answers we get here at the Turner Free Library but we're always happy to help you find out more information if your question isn't answered here!