14 Union Street
South Hamilton, MA 01982
 
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Circulation

The Circulation Desk is located on the first floor to the right as you walk in the front doors.  All library items are checked out and in at the circulation desk.  Renewals may be made at the circulation desk in person or by phone. Interlibrary loans may be requested, books on hold picked up, and any book donations may be left at the circulation desk. 

 
Library Cards

Residents of Hamilton and Wenham may obtain a library card by presenting identification showing their name and local address (license, utility bill, etc.).  Children under 13 will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to apply for a card.  There is no waiting period for a library card.  Residents of the towns served by the Merrimac Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) must obtain a card from their hometown library.  Students of Gordon College can use their ID card number after it is placed in the library database.  Summer residents need local proof of address in Hamilton or Wenham. 
You may print and fill out a library card application and just bring it with you the next time you visit the library.
Adult Library Card Application
Children's Library Card Application

Patrons must have library cards with them in order to check out any library material.

 
Circulating Material

Patrons are welcome to take out an unlimited number of circulating books and magazines (except for the most recent magazines). 
Due to the popularity of our audio-video material, the following limits apply:

Item Item Limit Loan Period # of Renewals
Books No limit 3 Weeks 2 Renewals
Magazines (except for newest) No limit 3 Weeks 2 Renewals
Audio Cassettes No limit 3 Weeks 2 Renewals
Compact Discs No limit 3 Weeks 2 Renewals
Videos/DVDs 7 1 Week 1 Renewal
There is a total limit of 99 items per patron.

Generally, patrons may renew material belonging to the Hamilton-Wenham Public Library by phone, via the online catalog, or in person for an additional three weeks if there are no outstanding requests on the material and the renewal limit has not been exceeded.

 
Online Library Catalog
You may use the online catalog by going to www.hwlibrary.org and clicking on "library catalog,"  or by clicking on the link above.  From here you are able to renew items, request books, check due dates, and check on a hold status.  Please feel free to call should you need help using the online catalog.
 
Museum Passes
Museum passes can be reserved online, in person, by phone at the  Reference Desk.  They may be reserved two weeks in advance.  Only one pass per day per patron.
 
Reserves
Patrons are welcome to reserve library materials in person, by phone, or by using our online catalog.  When the item requested comes in, you will be notified either by phone, E-Mail, or postal mail.
 
Interlibrary Loans
If the MVLC libraries do not have material you would like to request, the library can request material from outside the system.  There may be a fee attached to the request.  Please speak to the librarian about requesting material outside the system.
 
Returns
Library materials may be returned to any library belonging to the MVLC.
 
Fines
Patrons will be charged for lost material.  Late museum passes will also accrue a charge of $10.00. The charge for a lost pass is $25.00.
 
Lost Library Cards
Report lost cards immediately!  Patrons are responsible for all materials taken out on their cards up until the card is reported lost.  There is a $1.00 fee for replacement of a lost card.
 
Circulation Staff       

Full-time circulation staff consists of:
Diane Barrett, Head of Circulation and contact for Book Club Kits: dbarrett@mvlc.or
Jeannine Curtis, Interlibrary Loans: ihw@mvlc.org
Julie Preston, Program Planning and Circulation: jpreston@mvlc.org
Part-time circulation staff consists of:
Lisa Azeni, Charity Cullen, Karen D'Ambrosio, Josh Lear, Tara Mansfield, Dede McManus, Beth Pendak, and Rebecca Shea.

Click here for more staff contact information.