Borrower's Responsibility
	Loan Periods
	Renewals
	Returning Library Materials
	Overdue Fines & Other Fees
	Internet Policy
	Children's Room CD-ROM Policy
	FAQs about Massachusetts Public Library Service

Mission Statement
Library History

Library Card Information

	Manchester residents will be issued a Manchester Public Library card after showing identification with name and current address.  The first card is free. Replacement cards are $1.00.
	Manchester residents under 12 years of age can obtain a library card with a parent's or guardian's signature.
	Non residents must get a card from their home town library which is then registered with the Manchester Public Library.
	Manchester Public Library card holders have reciprocal borrowing privileges at most Massachusetts public libraries.
	You may sign up for email notification for all your library notices.  Click here to manage your email address.
	An internet service, is an alternative to email notification.

Circulation Policy

	Reference books and archival materials are not loaned.
	The library reserves the right to limit the number of books on a subject or by one author, due to high demand.
	Non-book materials are limited to 6 per format.
	The current issue of a magazine is not available for circulation.
	Museum passes are limited to one per family per day.
	Borrowing privileges may be withheld if you have ten overdue items, or outstanding library bills.

Renewals

	Materials may be renewed ONE time if not on reserve.
	Museum passes and DVD's are NOT renewable.
	Renewals may be made in person, over the telephone, or via the internet. You need either the barcode on your library card or on the item you wish to renew at hand.  Telephone renewals will be handled as staffing allows, 978-526-7711.  Please do not leave messages for renewals or requests when the Library is closed.
	Patrons may renew material over the Internet.  Go to the library catalog, IPAC.  Log into patron info using your library card number, with no spaces and your PIN number (last four digits of your phone number).  If you experience any problems contact the library at 978-526-7711.  Click here to manage your email address.

Overdue Fines & Other Fees

The Library does not charge overdue fines.  However, having overdue material will stop you from checking out additional material.  The staff will renew overdue material as library policy allows, but not all material may be renewed. 

Lost or damaged material - original cost
Broken CD cases, lost inserts - $1.00
Damaged audiobook albums - cost of album
Lost earphones (Play-a-ways) - $5.00
Lost museum pass - $20

Internet Policy

Manchester Public Library public-access computers are a valuable asset to the residents of Manchester and therefore permission to use them is given based on presentation of a valid Massachusetts public library card, or for out of state visitors, presentation of identification.  Visitors under 12 without a library card must have an adult with identification sign in for them. 

	Patrons must sign in and out at the circulation desk.  Printing is 10 cents per page black & white, 25 cents per page color.  You are responsible for all print jobs.
	Parents are solely responsible for supervision of content, safety, security, and access to minors.
	Computer use is limited to one hour per day.  You may continue use if no one is waiting.  Priority will be given to patrons who have not yet used the computers this day.
	Patrons are not allowed to save any files on library computers.
	No more than 2 persons may use one work station at one time.

·         The Library does not take responsibility for any personal accounts accessed on public internet computers. When using pass-worded services, be sure to log off the service when finished.  Users should be advised that because security is technically difficult to achieve in a public environment, electronic transactions and files could become public.

·         Library staff is not available for drop-in computer training.  Training sessions are scheduled on an individual basis.  Ask at the Reference desk.  Reference assistance is available for subscription databases found on the menu.

·         Please do not attempt to make adjustments to the computers or printers.  Do not switch terminals when having a problem.  Ask for assistance.

·         Do not attempt to download, upload or install additional programs to the computer.  Not every internet program or email attachment is supported on library computers.

·         The workstations will be shut down 15 minutes before the Library closes.

·         We regret that in the event of terminal downtime, maintenance, or library programs, this service will not be available.

·         PC #5, the iMac, is the designated Homework Center workstation and is reserved for students K-12, Mondays –Thursdays, 3-5 PM, following the public school schedule.

·         The library’s public internet stations are used by all ages.  Please be considerate of the public environment when viewing graphic material.

Children's Room CD-ROM Station

This work station is for educational games only. 

This workstation is for educational games only.  There is no internet connection or word processing.  Children under 5 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

	Please sign in on the log to your left; name and time.
	Only the pre-loaded software may be used.  Do not try to load another CD-ROM.
	There is a 30 minute time limit for this computer.  If no one is waiting, you may continue use.
	Please do not attempt to adjust the computer settings.  Please ask for assistance if you experience a problem.
	This computer will be shut down 15 minutes before the library closes.

(Approved July 20, 2006)

Library History

In the early eighteen hundreds, Manchester residents were eager to share literary resources.  A "social library" was formed with some 150 volumes. This effort was short lived and a second effort was tried and failed as well. In 1830, the Lyceum Association, a group of men who met for regular lectures and debates on topics of interest, was founded. The Lyceum Library was an outgrowth of this association. 

When the Lyceum Association disbanded in 1871, the collection was bequeathed to the town. It was moved to School Street and became the Manchester Free Public Library. Delucena L. Bingham Jr. was put in charge as librarian. When the collection outgrew this location, Mr. Bingham spoke of the need for a new library building and memorial hall. Summer resident, Thomas Jefferson Coolidge, gave the building as an outright gift to the town. 

The building was designed by Charles F. McKim and built of New England ashlar stone. The building was dedicated in October of 1887, in three parts: the east room as the library, the west room as the headquarters for the Grand Army of the Republic, and the central hall as a war memorial to those Manchester residents who lost their lives in the Civil War. In 1927, when the last GAR veteran died, the west room was transferred to the library. As the collection and services grew, the central hall became used for the library. The only addition to the building has been the children's room that was added in 1965. 

In 1988 the Library joined the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium, which began the new era of on-line services. In 1996 three public terminals to the internet were added. The building was updated with new lighting and new carpeting also in 1996. In 2003 the library was air conditioned for the first time.  The front doors were refinished by Crocker Boat Yard and the grounds were landscaped in 2004.  

A two-part restoration of the building's masonry was accomplished in 2005-2006.  The first major renovation to the Circulation Hall since 1965, was done in 2006, thanks to the Friends of the Library. 

2007 marked the 120th Anniversary.  The Trustees announced a capital campaign to continue interior renovations. The Reference Room and the Reading Room were renovated as a result of that fundraiser. Click News for pictures of renovations.