Library Cards

Obtaining a Library Card

You can obtain a library card at the Burlington Public Library if you are a:

  • Resident of any Massachusetts municipality whose library is certified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners; you may register with the Burlington Public Library and receive borrowing privileges within the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium.  Burlington non-residents must obtain their cards from their home library prior to registering for a library card at the Burlington Public Library, and present their home library card at the time of registration.
  • Massachusetts non-resident who has access to a mailing address in Burlington; you may obtain a Burlington Public Library card with borrowing privileges limited to Burlington materials only.

Residents of other Massachusetts communities who have not yet obtained a home town card may be issued a Temporary Card, which is valid for 30 days. This temporary card is for material checkout only for the named cardholder and cannot be used to reserve materials, access databases or borrow museum passes

Proof of Identity and Address are required to obtain a Burlington Public Library Card; the following item(s) are required at the time of registration:
 
Massachusetts Residents

  • Picture ID with current address or Picture ID provided by the Burlington Public Schools.
  • Or one item from each category below:


Picture ID


Official document with current address (printed or digital)

OR

Returned post card sent to a current Massachusetts address


Massachusetts Non-Resident

  • One item from each category below:


Picture ID

Official document with current Massachusetts address (printed or digital)

OR

Returned post card sent to a current Massachusetts address


Children under the age of 18 may have a parent or guardian present identification as indicated above.  The child must be present to obtain a card.  If the parent or guardian’s card is not in good standing, the child may be denied a card until their account is cleared.

Apply Online

Are you a Burlington resident?  Save time and apply online using the form below!

Loan Periods

A variety of items are available for loan to library card holders.  Library items circulate according to the following chart:

Type of LoanLoan Period
Audio Books21 days
Books21 days or 14 days depending on books
CD-ROMs14 days
DVDs & Blu ray7 days or 3 days depending on DVD or Blu ray
Kits21 days
Magazines7 days
Puppets21 days
Puzzles21 days
Videos7 days
Video Games7 days


Renewals

With the exception of 14-Day books and 3-Day DVDs, all Burlington items are eligible for two renewals provided another patron has not requested the item. Patrons may renew in person, online through the MVLC online catalog, or by calling the Circulation Desk at 781-270-1693. Please have your library card number handy as it is needed for all renewals.

Food Pantry Donations

View more information on Food Pantry donations.