Circulation Services

The Circulation/Information Services Desk is located on the main level. The Children’s desk is located upstairs in the Children’s room.

Library Cards

Please show your own card to a librarian to check out items to facilitate service and accurate record-keeping. If you do not have a library card, you may need to show your ID. Family members should use their own individual cards.

If you do not have a Rockport Library card, you may get a card if you live (year-round or seasonal) in Rockport. You must show a photo ID and proof of residence. If you live in another Massachusetts community and have a bar-coded card from your local Massachusetts library, that card can be registered in our system, and you can use it at the Rockport Public Library.

Lost Library Cards

Report lost cards immediately!  Patrons are responsible for all materials taken out on their cards up until the card is reported lost.  There is no cost for the replacement of a lost card.

Loan Limits, Periods, and Fines

Fees may be paid with cash or a check at the library. Through the online library catalog, fees over $5.00 may be paid with a credit card.

Item Item Limit Loan Period # of Renewals *
Books No limit 3 Weeks 2 Renewals
Audiobooks No limit 3 Weeks 2 Renewals
Compact Discs No limit 3 Weeks 2 Renewals
Videos/DVDs 7 1 Week 2 Renewals
Magazines (except for newest) No limit 3 Weeks 2 Renewals
Museum Passes 1 1 Day No Renewals
Lucky Day Collection No limit 3 Weeks No Renewals

After 49 days overdue, the item will be determined to be lost, and you will be charged the cost of the item until the item is returned or the amount of the lost item is paid. Patron borrowing privileges are blocked when fees accrue to $20.00 or when 20 items are overdue, regardless of bill reason.

Online Library Catalog

You may access the library catalog here or via the search bar at the upper right of any page on the library website. Once signed into the catalog with your library card number (entered as numbers only, without spaces) and PIN, you will be able to request items, check their hold status, check due dates, and renew items.

Please call 978-546-6934 if you need help using the library catalog. Your PIN should be the last four digits of your library card. If your card was created a number of years ago, the PIN may be the last four digits of your phone number.

Museum Passes

Museum passes can be reserved online, by phone, or in person at the Circulation/Information Services Desk.  They may be reserved one month in advance—only one pass per day per patron.

Reserves

Patrons are welcome to reserve library materials in person, by phone, or by using our online catalog.  When the item requested comes in, you will be notified by phone, email, or text. You can determine how you are notified and can change the notification method at any time.

Requested materials will be held for pickup at the main desk for seven days. You can also pick up items through our back porch pickup service.

Interlibrary Loans (ILL)

If the MVLC libraries do not have material you would like to request, the library can request material from outside the system, through the Massachusetts Commonwealth Catalog, or through OCLC® WorldCat.There may be a fee attached to the request. Please speak to the librarian about requesting material outside the system.

Returns

Library materials may be returned at the book drops located at each of the library entrances. Media should be returned in the media slot. Library materials may be returned to any library belonging to the MVLC. Here is a list of MVLC libraries.