Approved by the Library Board of Trustees 10/27/26
The Jacob Edwards Library welcomes residents of all municipalities. As stated in the Massachusetts General Laws (605 CMR 4.01), “residents of the Commonwealth shall have access to reading and reference rooms under the same conditions as residents of the community.”
The Jacob Edwards Library in accordance with the Commonwealth’s minimum standards for Public Library Service (Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 78, Section 19B 1 & 6) extends reciprocal borrowing privileges to the residents of Commonwealth towns who meet certain minimum standards of funding and service mandated by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).
A Jacob Edwards Library card is valid at any library in the CW MARS network, and CW MARS cards are valid at Jacob Edwards Library. Your library card may be used to check out materials from the library, as well as access electronic materials. Not all electronic resources owned by CW MARS libraries are available to non-residents, as that is determined by individual libraries.
One free library card is allowed per person in the CW MARS network. Duplicate accounts, including duplicate ecard accounts will be merged. Exception: College students or faculty members who use both an academic and public library must have two separate patron records. Public and academic patron records will not be merged per CW MARS.
Obtaining a Library Card
- Patrons who wish to borrow materials or use electronic resources must apply for a library card.
- Library cards are issued free of charge to Southbridge residents and residents of the Commonwealth who live in communities with libraries certified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).
- You must be present to apply for a library card.
- Patrons must provide identification that verifies both name and current address. Acceptable forms of identification per CW MARS:
- A driver’s license
- A state-issued identification card
- Passport
- Other ID: military, student, work
If the patron does not have identification, libraries may optionally accept alternative proof of address, such as:
- A recently received piece of mail with the current address. Jacob Edwards Library can send a postcard to your provided address for this purpose.
- Personal checks with the printed current address
- A utility bill (electric, internet, energy) for the current address
- A rental or lease agreement
Identification for minors (under the age of 18):
- Identity confirmed by the presence of a parent or legal guardian who presents their own identification. Both the child and the parent/guardian must be present.
- ID: student, YMCA, school, or other local form of positive identification
- Bus pass
Decertified Libraries
Jacob Edwards Library does not provide library cards to residents of towns with decertified libraries (per the Library Board of Trustee policy.) Patrons of decertified libraries, non-residents, and patrons without a library card are welcome to use library materials inside the library, and may request a guest pass in order to use library computers.
Residents
The Library provides reciprocal borrowing privileges to Massachusetts residents in accordance with MBLC regulations.
Exceptions to Massachusetts Residency Requirements
Library card applicants who do not meet Massachusetts residency requirements but pay Massachusetts taxes through employment or property ownership may have their card fee waived upon providing appropriate documentation of their Massachusetts tax status.
Applicants must provide identification showing their home/permanent address in accordance with C/W MARS policy, along with the following documentation:
- Employment in Massachusetts: Proof of their Massachusetts work address.
- Property ownership in Massachusetts: Verification of Massachusetts property ownership, such as a current property tax bill or utility bill.
- Enrollment at a Massachusetts college or university: Proof of current enrollment. Students will follow the same rules as regular card applicants.
Out of State Resident Card
Applicants who do not meet Massachusetts residency requirements or fall into one of the listed exceptions may purchase a one-year library card for a non-refundable fee of $35. Sign up and renewal of out of state cards must be made in person.
CW MARS eCard
An eCard is a CW MARS library card that Massachusetts residents may register for online to access electronic materials, such as ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and databases. The eCard is for patrons who are eligible for a CW MARS library card and do not already have one. The CW MARS eCard may be upgraded to a physical library card with borrowing privileges by visiting your local library. Patrons may register for an eCard at southbridge.cwmars.org/MyAccount/eCARD
Cardholder Privileges and Responsibilities
Patrons are responsible for all items borrowed on their card, including any fines, fees, or replacement costs assessed for items lost or damaged while in the patron’s possession. Per CW Mars policy, borrowing privileges will be suspended if:
• Fines exceed $10 (per CW MARS policy)
• Any item is declared lost (exceeds 4 weeks overdue)
• The card is expired.
Suspended borrowing privileges will be restored when fines are paid, lost items are returned or paid for, or an expired card is renewed with a library staff member respectively.
The library may require positive identification from any patron checking out materials. Patrons are expected to present their library card to conduct any library business. A driver’s license or state ID, passport, or hold notification email may be accepted as identification for checkout and holds pickup.
Use of Library Card
Patrons picking up holds on behalf of a friend or family member should have that patron’s card in their possession to indicate permission.
Patrons may opt to add permission for others to use their account to Place Holds, Pick Up Holds, Obtain Circulation Information, and Check Out Items. “Allow Others to Use My Account” policies may vary by location and do not guarantee that privileges extend across the entire network.
Expiration Date
Library cards expire two years from the date of registration or renewal.
Lost Cards
The patron is responsible for immediately notifying the library in the case of a lost or stolen card. There is no fee to replace a lost library card.
Library staff have the authority, at their discretion, to make immediate decisions regarding interpretation and enforcement of this policy in order to ensure the safety and comfort of all library patrons and staff.