Overdue fines
The following pertains to Blackstone Library only. Please note that overdue items belonging to another LION library will follow that particular library’s lending and fine policies.
All Blackstone Library materials, except for Museum Passes, are fine free.
Overdue fine for Museum Passes: $2.00 per day per item.
Library privileges are suspended if you owe $25.00 or more in fines to any LION library or if any items are in “billed” or “lost” status.
Loan Periods
- Museum Passes – 1 day
- DVDs – 1 week
- Friends Quick Picks, Library of Things – 2 weeks
- Books, CDs, Magazines, Nonfiction DVDs – 3 weeks
- Book club sets – 6 weeks
Most items will be renewed automatically if there are no holds.
Patrons are encouraged to renew their items online through the library’s website. Items can also be renewed in person or over the phone. Most Blackstone Library items can be renewed twice, unless there is a hold on them; these renewals will now happen automatically. If we have an email address for you, courtesy notices are emailed two days before an item is due. “Billed” notices are emailed and mailed three (3) weeks after an item is due. It is the patron’s responsibility to keep track of any and all items checked out on their card and their due dates.
Lost and damaged items
You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your library card. To retain your borrowing privileges, you will need to pay the full replacement cost of any lost or damaged item.
Confidentiality of Circulation Records
All circulation and registration information is kept confidential by the library. A patron may see his or her own circulation records only. If you wish to keep a record of items you have checked out in the past, you can opt in to save your reading history on your account on the library catalog.
Get a library card
Residents of Branford are entitled to a James Blackstone Memorial Library card (Stony Creek residents should obtain a card from the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library in Stony Creek). If you are a Branford resident, please bring photo identification showing your current street address and a current piece of mail or other document (examples: tax, electric, gas, or telephone bill; mortgage or lease agreement; personal checks) with your name and Branford street address. Children under the age of fifteen (15) must have a parent or guardian present when applying for a card. Branford residents can also pre-register online for a Blackstone card. If you are a resident of another town in Connecticut, please bring in a valid library card from your current home town and a photo ID.
School library cards
Teachers employed in Branford public or private schools may obtain a School card to check out items, to be used for school use only. Items intended for personal use must be checked out on the teacher’s personal library card issued from their hometown. Any lost items checked out on a school library card must be paid in full, according to the items’ full replacement costs.
To use your library card
A current library card must be presented each time material is borrowed by the patron to whom it is issued. Patron is responsible for any and all use made of card. Blackstone Library cards are renewed every three (3) years. Patron must verify residency at time of renewal. A current Connecticut public library card can be used in all public libraries in the state. In addition, most items checked out from one library can be returned to another library.
Lost library card
Please report a lost card or change of address promptly. You are responsible for items checked out on your card.
Reserves (Holds)
You may reserve materials unavailable at the time of your visit. Reserves can also be made in person at our Reference Department, by telephone at 203.488.1441 ext. 318, or online using the James Blackstone Library catalog. We will call you, or an email will automatically be sent, when the reserved item is ready for pick-up. You can also sign up for text notifications through Shoutbomb. Items ready for pick-up will be held for seven (7) business days after the day of the call or email. Items not picked up in time will be cancelled and given to the next person on the holds list or returned to the owning library.
Interlibrary loans
If the item you want is not in the Blackstone Library catalog, remember to search all LION libraries. If the item is not available from a LION library, we may be able to borrow it for you from another library outside the LION consortium. You may come in to the library, call, or search the State catalog online. We will call you to let you know when the requested item has arrived. Interlibrary loans are available for Branford and Stony Creek residents; non-resident interlibrary loan requests must be made through their hometown public library. There is a limit of five (5) items per month; CDs and DVDs can be difficult to obtain and new items are not available through interlibrary loan.
Book and audiovisual drop
The book and audiovisual drop, located at the back of the library building, is open at all times. You are responsible for the condition of all items returned in the book or audiovisual drop. Please do not leave any library materials outside of the book drop. Items returned in the drop boxes after library hours on their due date are checked in as being on time.
Blackstone Library reserves the right to revoke borrowing privileges to any patron.