Frequently Asked Questions
About Circulation

Barrington Public Library belongs to the statewide Ocean State Library Network (OSL). A OSL library card can be used in over 50 libraries throughout the state of Rhode Island. The card is free of charge to Rhode Island residents, with the exception of Exeter residents, who can get a OSL card for an annual fee of $25.00. Non-residents who own property in Barrington or who are Town of Barrington Employees can apply for a free limited use card. Students of Zion Bible Institute and St Andrew's School who board at the school are also eligible for free cards (valid during the school year only)

To apply for a OSL card, bring at least one piece of identification that shows your current address to the Circulation Desk. Valid identification includes:

1. Driver's License
2. R.I. Identification card (from Dept. of Motor Vehicles)
3. Car registration
4. Rental leases or receipts
5. Welfare cards
6. College ID (Students must have 2 forms of ID to verify both permanent address and local mailing address)

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when applying for a library card.

Once you have filled out an application and shown identification, you will receive a OSL card. The card can then be used to check out library materials.

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Please note, there are no borrowing limits unless noted.

Books

All books, with the exception of reference books, rental books and East Bay Literacy materials, circulate for 21 days.

 

Periodicals

Back issues of magazines circulate for 21 days. Current issues of periodicals, reference periodicals and all newspapers do not circulate.

 

Audio books (on cassette and CD)

Audio books for 21 days. There is a limit of 4 books on cassette and 4 books on CD per patron.

 

Audio Cassettes, Compact Discs, CD-ROMs and mixed-media kits

Audio cassettes, compact discs, computer CD-ROMs and kits (book and cassettes combinations) circulate for 21 days. 

 

Videos

All adult, young adult and children's videos circulate for 7 days. 

 

DVDs

All DVDs circulate for 7 days. There is a limit of 4 Adult/Young Adult and 4 Children's DVDs per patron.

 

Toys

Toys circulate for 21 days. There is a maximum 2 toys and puzzles per patron.

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The Barrington Library only charges fines as a way to encourage the prompt return of library materials so they may be enjoyed by other library users. An overdue fine of 10¢ per day will be charged for all books, periodicals, CDs, audio cassettes and kits. Rental books will incur a daily fee of $.25, excluding days when the library is closed, with the maximum fine being the cost of the book. Maximum fines are $6.00 per adult book (CD, Audio or kit included) and $3.00 per children's book. Paperbacks and periodicals will have a maximum fine of half the cost of the item. Fines will never exceed the cost of the item.

Overdue fines of 10¢ per day, excluding days library is closed, will be charged for all videocassettes, DVDs and CD-ROMs. The maximum fine is $15.00, not to exceed the cost of the item.

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Patrons may receive notices of overdue books and reserved items by email. To register for this service, please visit the Circulation desk and fill out the form.

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At the Barrington Library, you may check out up to five library items without your library card by showing your driver's license at the circulation desk.  

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To get a replacement library card, you must show one piece of identification (see the list on the Circulation page). There is a $1.00 fee for replacement cards.

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There is no limit, within reason, on the number of books patrons may check out of the Library. The Library, however, reserves the right to restrict the number of books on certain subjects due to demand.

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Yes. Library books can be renewed over the phone during Library business hours. Please have both the item(s) being renewed and your library card handy before calling. If you have web access, you can also renew your books online.

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When the library is open, we ask that you bring any A/V materials into the library and deposit them in the box on the circulation desk. Videos may be placed in the bookdrop when the library is closed, however DVDs, CDs and audio books should not be returned in the bookdrop.

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Barrington Public Library belongs to the Ocean State Library Network (OSL) Books from other OSL libraries may be returned at Barrington and Barrington books may be returned at any other OSL library. 

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Library users are encouraged to return videos and other audiovisual material directly to the lending library. If this is not possible, these materials may be returned to another OSL library.