Borrowing Materials and Interlibrary Loan

Any person may have borrowing privileges at the Converse Free Library, regardless of residency. There is no fee associated with a library account. Nonresidents are expected to abide by the same governing policies as residents and are encouraged to make use of the entire library collection, both physical and electronic. Nonresident accounts expire every 12 months (as opposed to the 36-month renewal period for resident accounts). 

 

Children fourteen years and older may register for independent, public-library borrowing privileges. This means Lyme School students registering for a public (vs. school) library account will be in the library’s database twice. There are no restrictions on the number of materials borrowed by children using a public library account. The library will not act in loco parentis. If you would like to register for a new account, please fill out this form.

 

Books, magazines, audio books on CD, and DVDs are lent for 3 weeks.  We do not charge overdue fines.  We’ll call you if someone has requested a book you have overdue.  We do have a pink piggy bank at the circulation desk into which you can put “conscience money” if you are feeling a wee bit guilty about an overdue item!

 

Interlibrary Loan requests are accepted by phone, email, in person, or via this online form.  The New Hampshire State Library maintains the database of the materials (books, CDs, and DVDs)  in all NH public libraries, some high school libraries, and public New Hampshire colleges. Lyme patrons may access this database, but requests for these books must be made through the patron’s local public library.  These books are delivered to the Lyme Library on Mondays and Wednesdays via a van service organized by the New Hampshire State Library. Additionally, if the item requested is not in the New Hampshire Interlibrary Loan System, the library uses the State’s Interlibrary Loan protocol, first requesting the book from public, then private, libraries in New Hampshire, and then public and private libraries outside the state.  Some out-of-state libraries have fees associated with Interlibrary Loan. Lyme Library staff will advise a patron if the cost exceeds $10.00.

 

The library is accessible to all. The library will also deliver any library materials, including audio, video, and large print titles upon request. Additionally, the New Hampshire State Library administers the Talking Books Program for New Hampshire residents who are physically unable to see, handle or process printed material comfortably.  More information about this program is at www.nh.gov/nhsl/talking_books or call the Lyme Library. We are more than willing to help connect all patrons with accessibility equipment and features that make it easier to use library materials.

 

The entire Library Membership and Borrowing Privileges Policy can be read here: https://lymenhlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Policy.Library-Membership-and-Borrowing-Privileges.School-and-Public.2022.FINAL_-1.pdf