Your Library Card
Sign up or renew online or in the library
This page tells all about library cards and enables online signup for an adult card (age 16+) or renewal of cards for all ages. We’re also happy to help you in person or on the phone.
Are you interested in signing up for a children’s card? Please see My First Library Card.
Why get a card?
While all visitors are welcome to browse, relax, read, reserve a study room and use computers and wifi, a library card allows you to access additional services. For example:
- Borrow items from 25+ partner libraries in the Catamount Library Network(CLN).
- Request interlibrary loans for materials beyond the CLN.
- Borrow items like garden tools, kitchen supplies, and snowshoes through the Library of Things.
- Access the Vermont Online Library, Consumer Reports, the NYTimes, and more in our Online Resources collection.
- Check out ebooks, audio, & streaming video.
- Develop job skills, learn a language, or take an online course through our Online Learning resources.
Types of Library Cards
Resident Cards
Free for:
- Renters, business owners, and property owners in Brattleboro (resident status extends to household members as well)
- Students who do not live in Brattleboro but are enrolled in a Brattleboro middle school, high school, or Vermont Adult Learning program
- Temporary Brattleboro residents who are receiving services through an in-town agency, such as the Brattleboro Retreat or Morningside Shelter
- Temporary Brattleboro residents in extended stays at Brattleboro hotels or motels
- Groundworks clients who receive mail at the Drop-In Center
One of these forms of documentation is required:
- Current Vermont driver license or state ID
- Mail you’ve received at your current street address in Brattleboro (sorry, a p.o. box doesn’t meet this qualification)
- A rental agreement or property tax statement
- Proof of business registration in the state of Vermont
Nonresident Library Cards
Welcome, neighbors and distant friends! Because Brooks Memorial is funded by town taxes, we sustain services to non residents through a membership fee.
Rates for nonresident cards
- $32 for six months
- $62 for one year
- $110 for two years
- Additional members of household for any non resident card: $5 each per year
These fees are calculated by local per capita tax support. You will find that a card pays for itself very quickly, often after a single visit or a few sessions online. No special residency ID is required to obtain a nonresident card.
Organization Cards for Schools, Nonprofits, and Other Agencies
An organization card enables access to library resources for up to six designated staff members Please contact us for details.
Log into your account
Log in to place a holds on materials and renew checkouts 24/7.
- User ID: your library card number
- PIN/password: the last four digits of the phone number in your patron record
Materials and Due Dates:
- Most materials are due after 21 days.
- New items, DVDs, and magazines are due after 14 days.
- Many of the special items in our “Library of Things,” such as snowshoes and museum passes, are due after 3 days.
- If items are not on hold for someone else, you can usually renew them.
- If you’re not sure of the due date, you can find it by logging in to your account.
How many?
- New Books: 10 per card
- Other Books: lots!
- New Audio (books & music): 3 per card
- Other Audio (books & music): 10 per card
- New DVDs: 2 per card
- Other DVDs: 4 per card
- Weekly Magazines: 7 per card
- Other Magazines: 10 per card
- Special Items: usually one at a time. Please contact us if you have questions.
FEATURED EVENTS
Brooks Memorial Library does NOT charge overdue fines.
- The library waives fines on most items (books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, etc.) once items are returned in good condition
- Exception: special items in our Library of Things, which accrue extended use fees of $5.00/day. Please be courteous to the next patron and return special items on time!
- If an item becomes overdue, fines will accrue on your account, and you may receive an overdue notice as a reminder.
- If an item is lost or damaged while it’s checked out, you are responsible for the replacement cost. Please contact us so we can figure out the cost. We understand that accidents happen even when you’re careful.
- Downloadable e-books and e-audio do not run overdue, but your access expires on the due date.
- Please use the after-hours book drops! They’re handy, and you can use them even if your items are overdue.
Questions? Please contact us. We’re happy to help.