We are Fine Free

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You may have noticed that during the pandemic, the Richards Memorial Library in Paxton was waiving late fees for items checked in at our library. Starting on January 17, 2023, we are officially fine-free. This was approved by the Board of Library Trustees and implemented by CW Mars. Here are the details you need to know.

Fine free means that there will not longer be late fines appearing on your account for most* items. 

Fines will only accrue on special library items, sometimes referred to as the “Library of Things.” 

The exceptions to fine free at Richards Memorial Library are:

Museum Passes - $1 per day

Telescope - $1 per day

Literacy Kits and STEM Kits - $1 per day

Fines will not accrue for Items (besides the exceptions above) checked out on or after January 17, 2023. Fines may still appear in your patron account for any items owned by Richards Memorial Library that were checked out prior to January 17, 2023. Please contact us once the item has been returned and our staff will remove the fines. 

Patrons who borrow materials from other libraries are subject to their rules, which may differ from Richards Memorial Library.

RML Paxton does not charge late fees on Items that are returned complete and in the same condition as when they were checked out. 

Items returned incomplete (ex. missing pieces from a kit, missing DVDs), damanged, or lost will be billed for the amount the library paid for the item. We do not accept replacments.

When an Item is considered lost

Patrons only receive a lost item notice 28 days after the final due date. This occurs after the automatic renewal. 

Ex. A book was checked out for three weeks on February 7 and is due on February 22. The system automatically renews the item for another three weeks, with a new due date of March 15. If the item is not returned by April 5, which is 28 days after March 5, the patron will receive a lost notice and a request to cover the cost of the item. 

Patrons who owe more than $10.00 for lost, incomplete (ex. 1 DVD missing from a set) or damaged materials, will not be able to check any materials out until the account is paid. 

Payment for lost or damanged materials owned by the Richards Memorial Library may be paid in person at the library with a cash or check. Richards Memorial Library does not accept credit or debit card payments in person. However, we do accept online payments through your CW Mars account. Please pay online with a credit/debit card by logging into your account.  

Patrons will be charged the original purchase price for lost or damaged items.

Richards Memorial Library in Paxton is a circulating member of CW MARS (Central/West MA Regional Library System). CW MARS is a consortium of libraries that makes their materials available to anyone who holds a 

CW MARS library card.

You must have a CW MARS card to borrow materials from the Richards Memorial Library.

Please remember to bring your library card. to the library. Without a library card or an ID, we will not be able to check items out to you. If you lost your library card, we will happily replace it at no charge. 

Please visit the library if you do not have a library card. Library cards from other CW Mars libraries may be used at the Richards Memorial Library.

Most items circulate for 3 weeks, with the following exceptions:

• DVDs, games, and magazines circulate for 1 week
• Periodicals circulate for 1 week
• Museum passes circulate for 2-3 days

If an account is in good standing, eligible items with renewals remaining will be automatically renewed one time. 

Patrons who owe more than $10.00 for lost, incomplete (ex. 1 DVD missing from a set) or damaged materials, will not be able to check any materials out until the account is paid. 

Payment for lost or damanged materials owned by the Richards Memorial Library may be paid in person at the library with a cash or check. Richards Memorial Library does not accept credit or debit card payments in person. However, we do accept online payments through your CW Mars account. Please pay online with a credit/debit card by logging into your account.  

Each patron may borrow up to:

• 20 DVDs (across the CW Mars network)
• 5 Audio Books on CD
• 1 Playaway
• 10 Music CDs
• 1 Museum Pass (per household)
• 1 Literacy or STEM kit
• 50 total items (combined total from all CW Mars libraries)

 A valid CW MARS library card must be used to borrow physical items. A valid card is one that: 

1. has not expired.
2. has less than $10.00 in fines, replacement costs, and/or fees.
3. has no lost or billed charges.
4. has less than 50 items currently checked out.

Library materials may be returned at any CW MARS member library. The exception is any Richards Memorial Library's museum pass. Museum passes must be returned to the Richards Memorial Library.

Library materials may be renewed with a valid library card.

Materials that are able to be renewed (i.e. have a renewal available) will be automatically renewed with no action needed by the patron. An email notification will be sent with renewal status of checked out items.  

Most Massachusetts residents, including students, are entitled to a free library card.*

If you already have a current library card from a qualifying public library in CW MARS you may use your existing card to borrow materials at the Richards Memorial Library. Each person is allowed only one account in CW Mars. 

* Any resident of a Massachusetts community which is certified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is entitled to a free library card. 

For a NEW library card, please bring proof of your current address to the library during open hours, fill out our new library card form and you will receive a new library card during your visit.

For immediate access to a library card number you may fill out the ecard form. This will enable you to:

1.  Log in to CW Mars and place holds. 

2. Read ebooks or listen to e-audiobooks on Libby.You may download Libby here if you do not already. hae it on your device. 

Need to upgrade to a physical library card?

You can log into your CW Mars account online and view your checkouts, renew items, place holds, or create lists for titles you might want to checkt out at a later date.

Your Richards Memorial Library card will expire every two years.  You wil receive and autmaoted email from the CW Mars network. Please visit Richards Memorial Library in Paxton to verify your current contact information and we will renew your card. Once your card is renewed, you will continue to use the same card. 

Tip: You may visit any CW Mars library for this service.