Westfield Athenaeum Library

Borrowing

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What you can Borrow

You may borrow any circulating material from the library. This includes most hardcover and paperback books in the collection, many current periodicals, videos, DVDs, CDs, audiocassettes, books-on-tape, CD-ROMs, children's games, puppets, toys and more!

Items labeled REFERENCE, newspapers, materials on microfilm, special collection materials, and some current periodicals do not circulate and must be used in the library.

Loan periods
Loan periods vary based on the type of materials:

  • Videos, DVDs, and periodicals - 1 week
  • New Adult Books - 2 weeks
  • All other materials - 3 weeks

Renewals
All materials may be renewed ONCE if no other user has placed a hold on them. The renewal period is for the same amount of time as the original loan.

You may renew materials in person or by telephone at the Westfield Athenaeum or online by clicking LOG IN at the bottom of the first screen of the online catalog. Click here for information on accessing your library record online. At the screen that lists your checked out items, click on the buttons for Renew or Renew All.

The system will prevent you from renewing for the following reasons:

    • The item has already been renewed the maximum number of times.
    • Your record has been blocked because of a billed item or because you have over $10 in fines.
    • There are other blocks on your record.
    • There are outstanding holds on the item for other patrons.

Item Limits
You may check out 2 items when you first register for a Westfield Athenaeum Library card. After that, most borrowers may have up to 50 items checked out through the C/WMARS network at any one time. Short-term residents and people in residential programs are limited to a maximum of 2 items checked out at any time.

Returning Borrowed Materials

Please return library materials on time so that other people may enjoy them.

Book Drop
 The Westfield Athenaeum has a BOOK DROP at the Children's entrance so you can return materials even when the library is closed. If the book drop is full, DO NOT LEAVE THE MATERIALS OUTSIDE THE BOOK DROP OR THE LIBRARY. You will be responsible for materials that are damaged or stolen before they are checked in.

Returning materials to other libraries
You may return items to another library in the C/WMARS network, where they will be checked in at that library, taken off your record, and returned to the owning library.

Note: If you return items to a library that is not a member of the C/WMARS network, they will remain on your record until they are returned to the owning library and you will be responsible for all overdue fines that accumulate.

Placing a Hold on Materials

If you want an item that is checked out to someone else or is available at another C/WMARS member library, you may place a HOLD on it by filling out a HOLD Request form at any reference desk. You will need your library card with your library barcode number in order for us to place the reserve for you. When the item is returned, we will hold it for you for one week at the circulation desk. We will call you or notify you by email when the item is available for you to pick up.

To place a HOLD on an item from your home or office, please call us. We will need your mailing address, telephone number, and your library card number, along with details of the item being requested.

C/WMARS Catalogs: You may also place a HOLD electronically through the online catalog. Click on the REQUEST button at the top of the screen describing the item you want. You will be prompted for your library card number and PIN (Personal Identification Number), and you will be asked to choose a pickup location.

Policy Pertaining to Interlibrary Loans

Materials being held for a patron in good standing may be picked up by the person placing the Interlibrary Loan request, or by another person, such as a spouse or other family member who can present that patron's library card.

A patron may be linked to another patron (e.g., spouse or other family member) in the patron database on C/W MARS so that the latter person may pick up materials held for the former using that person's library record.  The patron picking up this material for another must present a valid library card.  Links may only be established in person and will be reviewed at the time a card is renewed as a part of the updating process. This link, however, may be dropped by a patron at any time.

Email Overdue and Holds Available Notices

The Westfield Athenaeum sends Overdue and Holds Available notices by email. If you receive an email overdue notice. Paper bills for replacement for items that are more than 28 days overdue.

It's easy to sign up for email notification!

Just add your email address to your library record:

  • Go to the Westfield Athenaeum catalog
  • Click on the blue LOG IN button
  • Follow the instructions on screen:
    1. Enter your name
    2. Enter your library card number
    3. Enter your PIN (Personal Identification Number) (If you don't have a PIN, follow the instructions to set one up)
  • When your record displays:
    1. Click "Update Your Email Address".
    2. Type your email address in the white window.
    3. Click SUBMIT.
    4. Click "Close Window".
    5. Click the red LOG OUT button when done.

If you later decide you want to receive paper notices again, just follow these same steps and DELETE your email address from your record.