Banner Bottom Image


You Have Questions.....We Have Answers!

Who can get a library card? And, How do I apply for One?

Any individual owning or renting property in the Town of Barrington may have a free library card. Proof of residency & a photo ID are required. A letter with your Barrington address, a bill to that address, or a tax bill are all acceptable should your license have a previous address printed on it. We also offer free cards to anyone working as a Barrington town employee or as a teacher in the Barrington school system.

Children above age 6 can get their own library card, but parents are still responsible for any fines until they are 18 years of age. Please note the privacy policy below if you are giving your child a card.

First time borrowers are limited to 3 items.

Any patron who has to be called for overdue items repeatedly may have their card limited. Patrons with chronic over-dues may have their borrowing privileges curtailed further or revoked permanently.
Privacy Policy: The Barrington Public Library follows state laws concerning the privacy of all library borrowing records. Titles of items on loan will only be disclosed to the card holder. Parents need to be aware that children have the same privacy rights as adults, and title names will not be given to parents. If you choose, you can take items out on your card for your child until you feel they are ready for the responsibility. Please note: if your child comes to the library by themselves, they must use their own library card and their privacy rights will be protected. Signing off on your child's library card makes you financially responsible for lost, damaged, or late items on their card but it does not give you legal access to their private borrowing records. Children may access their accounts online just like adults, using their library card number and last name as their username/pin.
Can Non-Residents Get a Card?
Yes, there is a $50.00 per year fee to get a family card for non-residents.

Is there a fee for a lost library card?
Yes, there is $2.00 fee to cover costs of new card.
Do I have to have my card with me to check out materials?
Yes, we do require a card at check out to ensure accuracy. If you do forget your
card, we will be able to check out only 3 items to you with your license. If you
chronically forget your card, a note may be put on your account that alerts staff
you need to purchase a new library card.
Are fines charged on late library materials? What if I lose an item?

Books, Magazines, audio books, and puppets: .10/per day after a 2-day grace period (Maximum Fine of $6.00 per item) 21 Day Loan (May be renewed 2 times)

DVD: $1.00/per day with no grace period (Maximum Fine of $10.00 per item) 7 Day Loan (May be Renewed Once)

Equipment: $1.00/per day with no grace period (Maximum Fine of $25.00) 21 Day Loan (No Renewal)

SILC Coop DVDs and Audiobooks may not be renewed and are fined like similar materials.

Inter-library Loan Materials may only be renewed by phone if the loaning library agrees to extend the loan period. There is .25 per day/per item overdue fee on ILL items.

Any items lost or damaged by a patron will be charged at the cost to purchase a replacement plus a $2.00 processing fee to cover new bar codes, covers, audio book cases, etc., as well as any fines accrued up to the date the issue was resolved. If the patron wishes, they may purchase a brand new copy of the item to replace the one lost and pay only the $2.00 processing fee. No used items will be accepted as replacements.
Can I still access the free download site with outstanding fines, lost items, or an expired card?

No, you must clear these items before the system will allow use of your library card number to download materials. Cards expire yearly, so just call and update your information to stay active in our system.
Can I pay my fines by credit or debit card?
The library can't afford the fees associated with credit card purchases so we have set up a PayPal account in which patrons can use their existing credit or debit card to pay online. Cash or check is preferred as we still have to pay fees to take in funds using PayPal. Online fine payment option is for fines and fees of $4.00 and over ONLY! Please allow 24 hours for your payment to be posted to your account during the week. Payments received on Friday-Sunday will be posted on Monday. If you are paying for anyone other than yourself (children, spouse), please drop us a line at Payments to let us know which accounts you are paying on. All payments come through with the name of the credit card or Pay Pal account owner; the only way we'll know to credit another account is if you let us know via e-mail. Please include the first and last name/s of the person for whom you are paying. We hope this system gives you another way to take care of fines with ease. The payment button is located on the main page of the website.
Are there limits on the number of items I can check out?
Yes, we have a limit of 20 items per card. This is extended for parents checking out materials for the entire family at staff discretion. A limit of 10 DVD per family (2 new). 10 audiobooks,10 Music CD's , 5 CD-Rom, 5 puppets, 2 Video games & 10 Magazines per card not to exceed 20 items.
How do I renew items?
You can renew items in person, over the phone during open hours, or, you can access your account online here. Remember that you must renew items BEFORE they become overdue in our online system. If they are already past due, you'll need to call the library at 664-9715 to complete this task. Your username is your last name and your pin is your library card.
Is there a fee to use the public computers or wireless connection?
No. All access if free to the public, including visitors to Barrington. You simply need to read and accept our acceptable use policy and then you get a 1-hour time limit. Time may be extended if no other patrons are waiting to use a computer terminal.
 Is there a fee to print copies?
Yes, there is a 10 cent per page fee for black and white copies and a 25 cent per page fee for color copies. Paper is purchased at the circulation desk before printing. The copier is also available for public use at the same rates (paper is in the machine).
Can I fax an item from your library?
Yes, you may have a staff member fax an item for you at the cost of $1.00 per page for outgoing. Incoming faxes are charged just the 10 cents per page for the paper. If you are having a fax sent here for you, please call ahead to alert the staff.
Do you have tax forms available?
Yes, during tax season we have many common forms available in the hallway display area near the restrooms. Any forms we do not have can be downloaded and printed here for copy costs.
Can I reserve items?
Yes, you can reserve items in person, by phone, or from our online card catalog. You can even create a "watch list" in the catalog by adding authors or subjects to your list....when a new item is cataloged with that watch term, you'll get an e-mail alerting you of it's arrival so you can then go and reserve it!
Do you have notary services?
Yes, we have notary on staff. Please call ahead to make sure this staffer is scheduled before coming down. You will need a photo ID and documents must NOT be pre-signed. There is no fee; we ask that patrons make a donation to the library in place of a set fee if they can afford to do so.
What programs does the library offer?
The library offers many programs for children, teens, and adults. Details can be found in our current calendar of events. We have story times for children ages 1-6, special events like singers, puppeteers, book groups, magicians, storytellers, Chautauqua performers, educational talks and slide shows, and computer and technology classes.
Can you deliver books to me if I am home bound?
Yes, the library will deliver books to any Barrington resident who is unable to come to the library due to illness or lack of transportation. We do ask that patrons look to family and friends first as a way to meet this need, but we are happy to deliver if alternate methods can not be found. Simply call 664-0193 and ask for Amy to set up a card and delivery schedule.
What resources does the library have?
The library has a collection of over 36,000 items ranging from picture books, to fiction, to non-fiction and reference items. We also house a portion of the Historical Society Collection. We have over 2,600 DVDs, both educational and current releases. We also offer audio books on CD for all ages, music CD's, puppets to check out, activity kits for children, CD-ROM and console Video games for WII, PS2, PS3, XBox, and X360. We also carry magazines for check out.
What local items do you have for sale? Do You have a book sale?
Yes, we have an ongoing book sale in our computer room. Most items are 25 cents to 1.00 dollar in price. We also sell copies of the local Barrington histories (Wiggin $18 and Emhardt $20) and the Graveyards of Barrington book ($20.00). We have Barrington Library Tote Bags for $10.00 each.
Is there a fee for inter-library loan?
There is   no fee for items we can locate within New Hampshire. If you wish to search out of state for an item, a minimum $3.00 fee will be charged and any fees the lending library charges will be your responsibility. We always inform you of charges before processing an out of state request.