Policies
Membership: All residents of New Boston may receive library cards. Proof of residency is required. Anyone who works in New Boston may also receive a library card. The library will allow non-residents to use the library for a fee of $25.00 per year. Non-resident cardholders receive the same benefits of service as those cardholders residing or working in New Boston.
Cardholder responsibilities: It is the responsibility of the cardholder to let the library staff know if there is a change of name, address or phone number. The cardholder is responsible for the timely return of library materials and the payment of overdue fines and fees as well as charges for lost or damaged materials.
Library user records (RSA 91-A:5 RSA 201-D:11): Per these state laws, library user records are confidential. The Whipple Free Library complies with these confidentiality laws and will not divulge information to anyone other than the cardholder no matter what their age, including titles of items currently checked out, items that are overdue, or items on reserve for the cardholder, except as pursuant to RSA 201 D:11.
Use of Materials: All materials except for reference materials may circulate outside the library. All materials except for videos will circulate for 2 weeks. Videos will circulate for 1 week. There is no restriction on the number of items that may be borrowed by a member in good standing (no fines, no overdue books). Materials may be renewed as long as they are not reserved by another patron. A valid library card must be on file but is not necessary for the circulation of materials.
Requesting materials. Patrons have the ability to place hold requests online for materials listed in our catalog. Patrons may also request interlibrary loans through our online catalog and also may leave suggestions for acquisitions.
Overdue materials: Our circulation system, Apollo, provides for a three phase overdue collection process. We will call or email a first notification, will mail a second notification and will send a bill on the third notification.
Fines and fees: There are no fines or late fees for late materials in our collection; books, audiobooks, magazines, DVDs, CDs, etc. The telescope, certain museum passes, science kits, and e-readers, because of their replacement value, have special rules and fines that borrowers must agree to when they sign these items out.
Lending Telescope and e-readers: These items have separate lending periods and must be checked out by showing identification and signing a borrower’s agreement.
Interlibrary Loan: The Library will strive to borrow materials from other libraries to fill members requests. Generally speaking we will NOT try to borrow new materials (less than 6 months from publication date). Members may request interlibrary loan either in person or through the Apollo web page. All the libraries in NH are also our patrons and we will lend requested materials if they are available. Guidelines for interlibrary loan are formulated by the NH State Library and we consider participation in the interlibrary loan system of great value to our residents.
Holiday closings: The Library will follow the town holiday calendar. In addition, if a holiday falls on a day the library is not regularly open, the library may close the day before or after the holiday so that staff may have an equal number of holiday pay benefits. The Library traditionally closes only two long weekends a year: Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Policy for emergency closings: In order to provide the best service, libraries are open for scheduled service whenever possible. The Library is concerned however, for the safety of its employees and patrons. During extreme weather situations or community emergencies, the Director or designee may close the Library at their discretion. If such an event occurs, the Director or designee will inform WMUR of the closing.
Collection and Activity Development: This policy can be viewed by clicking on this link. 2022 Collection Development
Donation and Gift Policy: This policy can be viewed by clicking on this link. 2022 Donation and Gift Policy
Meeting Room Policy: This policy can be viewed by clicking on this link: Meeting Room Usage Policy
You can view and print our meeting room reservation form here: Meeting Room reservation Form
A List of available equipment is here: Meeting Room Available Equipment