Using Your Card

Two young children holding up their library cards and smiling

Using Your Library Card

You can log into your online account to:

  • Place items on hold
  • Renew items
  • See what you have checked out and when items are due
  • See what you have and hold and where you are on the waiting list
  • Check outstanding bills

Your LOGIN is your LIBRARY CARD NUMBER.
(ex: 21118009695839)

Your PASSWORD is your PIN.

What is my PIN/Password?

The PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a personal code assigned to every user in the system.  You can use your PIN to place a hold, renew materials, and review your account.

If you forgot your PIN, you may request a new one online, provided you gave us an email address when you registered for your library card.

If you don’t have a PIN yet and/or we don’t have a valid email address on file, we can set one up for you the next time you’re in the library.

Reserving/Holding Items

If the library owns an item, but it is currently checked out, you can reserve the item by putting a hold on it. Some new titles are in high demand and have long lists of patrons on hold. You can place holds in person, by telephone, or online. After notification, materials will be held for four days.

To reserve items online, log in to your library account with your library card number and PIN.

    Main Library and Harry Bennett Branch

    Reserved materials, except InterLibrary loan, are available for self pick-up. They are filed alphabetically by a combination of your last name and your library card number, as follows:

    LAST NAME (first 4 letters)

    LIBRARY CARD # (last 4 digits)

    For example, material for John Smith with a card# of 21118001234567 will be filed under SMIT-4567. Please check out your reserved materials at the Borrowers Services Desk or self check-out stations.

    South End Branch and Weed Memorial & Hollander Branch

    Holds are available for pickup at the circulation desk. Come in and present your card to check out your holds.

    Renewing Items

    You can renew items in person at any of the library branches, by phone, or online.

    To renew by phone please call 203-351-8268. For interlibrary loan renewals (at least 4 days in advance) please call 203-351-8237. Please make sure to have your library card and the item (or its barcode number) in front of you when calling.

    To renew items online, log in to your library account with your library card number and PIN.

    You’ll see a list of checked out items. Choose the ones you want to renew—new due dates will appear for eligible items immediately.

    You may renew most items twice unless someone is waiting for it. New items may only be renewed once, and Express items are not renewable.

    Please Note:

    • There are no renewals for items on request by other library users.
    • All materials may be returned to any Ferguson Library location, with these exceptions:
      • Interlibrary Loan materials may not be returned to the South End Branch or Bookmobile
      • Learning Kits To Go must be returned to the Main Library.
    • Books, audiobooks and DVDs (except for Interlibrary Loan items) may be returned to any public library in Connecticut; however, you are responsible for the materials until they arrive back at the location where they were borrowed.

    Loan Periods & Limits

    How many items you can check out, how long you can keep items, and how often you can renew vary based on the item type. Please note that items other patrons have on hold cannot be renewed, even if under the limit listed here. Borrowing guidelines for all library materials include:

    New Books

    • 3 week loan
    • 1 renewal
    • No extended loans

    Regular Books

    • 3 week loan
    • 2 renewals
    • 3 week loan
    • 1 renewal

    New DVDs

    • 4 day loan
    • 1 renewal
    • No extended loan

    Regular DVDs

    • 7 day loan
    • 2 renewals
    • No extended loan

    Note:  A 17-year-old who presents acceptable proof of age may borrow R-rated titles.

    • 3 week loan
    • 2 renewals

    New Audiobooks & CDs

    • 3 week loan
    • 1 renewal
    • 1 week loan
    • No renewals
    • 1 week loan
    • No renewals
    • 1 item limit
    • 3 week loan
    • 2 renewals

    The Ferguson Library is Fine Free

    With the goal of reducing barriers to access, the Ferguson Library has eliminated charging fines for overdue materials.  Research shows that library fine systems disadvantage those who are the least able to pay, but the most in need of library services. Library users will still be responsible for lost or damaged materials. Users will be billed for these items, if they are overdue for a period of 30 days, or if they are returned in a condition that requires their replacement.

    More to Check Out

    The Ferguson Library can order materials for you through Interlibrary Loan (ILL) if we do not own them. If the material is of a new and/or popular nature that fits into our collections, we will consider purchase.

     


     

    The Ferguson Library provides access to a number of online research databases, encyclopedias and other reference materials, and online class platforms. Access from anywhere with your library card and PIN!

     


     

    Download books, audiobooks, and magazines to your favorite device and stream video content for free! Access multiple digital media platforms through the Ferguson Library with your library card and PIN.

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