Library Policies & Services

Space in Town of Franklin owned buildings and facilities is available for the public exhibition of artwork. If you are interested in showing your work in the Franklin Public Library, please submit the Art Exhibition Application to the office of the Town Administrator.

Art Exhibition Policy & Online Application.

Wi-Fi

The library will provide wireless Internet access points for users with portable computers or devices capable of receiving wireless signals. These access points will allow users to access the Internet from their laptop computers when sitting within range of the access points. Wireless access is called Library-Guest and does not require a password.

All wireless access users should have up-to-date virus protection on their laptop computers or wireless devices.

If a user has problems accessing the Internet over these connections, staff will verify the library's connections are up and running, but they cannot assist in making changes to the user's network settings or perform any troubleshooting on the user's own computer. Please refer to your owner's manual or other support services offered by your device manufacturer.

The Internet is a public communications network, which means that there can be untrusted parties between you and anybody you communicate with. Wireless poses the same risks to your personal information that a wired network poses, as well as some new risks. Cautious and informed wireless users should choose not to transmit their credit card information and passwords while using any wireless "hot spot." As with most public wireless "hot spots," this connection is not secure. Potentially any information being sent or received could be intercepted by another wireless user. Please take appropriate precautions when using this service.

The library will not be responsible for any information (i.e. credit card) that is compromised, or for any damage caused to your hardware or software due to security issues or consequences caused by viruses, hacking, or library systems.

To print, please use our Mobile Printing Services.

Use of these access points is governed by our Internet Use Policy.

Computers

Read through the Franklin Public Library Computer Use and Internet Access Policy (PDF).

The Franklin Public Library has eighteen desktop computers available for public use. Fourteen are in the adult section, and four are in the Children's Department. Internet access and Microsoft Office are available on all of the public computers.

Printing is available at 10 cents per page for black and white, 50 cents per page for color.

Each user is allowed a maximum of 2 hours each day. Sessions are 60 minutes each, which may be extended if there is no one waiting to use a computer.

Copiers

The Franklin Public Library currently has two copiers available to the public. Black and white printing is $0.10 per page, and color printing is $0.50 per page. Scanning documents to an email address is free of charge. Ask at the reference desk about faxing. The Library is not responsible for any personal documents left behind.

Minuteman Library Network Requests

You may request items from your home computer or in the library through the Minuteman Library Network catalog. You will need your library barcode number and pin.

When materials you request are received at the library, you will be notified by email, text, or phone that your materials are ready for pick up. You will have one week to pick up your materials.

Commonwealth Catalog

Items not available through the Minuteman Library Network may be available from other libraries in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. To locate an item, search the Commonwealth Catalog. You may place a request for these items which will then be delivered to your local library for pick up.

Interlibrary Loan

If you are unable to locate materials through the Minuteman Catalog or the Commonwealth Catalog, contact the Reference Department via email or at 508-520-4941 to request materials from libraries throughout the United States.

Library Cards

The Franklin Public Library is a member of the Minuteman Library Network.  Any resident of Massachusetts may be issued a Minuteman card. Proof of address is required. Examples of proof of address are photo identification, a piece of mail, or a utility bill. Residents of towns within the Minuteman Network and Dean College students should get their card from their home library. Library cards are free.

Patrons can also apply for a temporary online library card here.  Please complete registration by coming in to the library with your temporary card number within six months.

Loan Periods

Books, audiobooks, and games may be checked out for three weeks. Magazines, DVDs, and Blu-Rays may be checked out for two weeks. Museum passes check out for one day.

Renewals

Items will automatically renew two days before the due date if they are eligible at that time. If you have supplied your library with your email address, you will get a courtesy email of which items have automatically renewed and which are due soon. Items may be renewed either by telephone, at the library or through the "My Account" feature of the Web catalog. If renewing by phone, please have your card number and item information ready. If renewing over the Web, you will need a PIN number in addition to your library card number. Books, audiotapes, books on CD, and literacy items may be renewed 2 times if there is no request pending. Blu-Rays and DVDs over three months old, magazines, and games may be renewed 2 times if there is no request pending. Museum passes may not be renewed.

Overdue Fines

 Museum passes are assessed a fine of $10.00 per day with a maximum of $20.00 on non-disposable passes.

Returning Items

Please deposit all items into the Book Drop slots outside the building entrance by the School Street parking lot.

Fines & Fees

Fines may be paid at any Minuteman Library or online. Fines and fees may be paid by credit card through the user’s online My Account. Your account will be frozen if there are over $100.00 in fines.

Get our app for quick access to favorite library features on your phone or tablet.

With the free Minuteman Library Network app:

• Never forget your library card. Store a digital copy of your Minuteman card and manage your checkouts and holds in My Account.
• Scan a book barcode or search the Minuteman library collections to find and reserve an item on the go.
• Access your library's digital collections, museum passes, calendar, and more, without ever opening your web browser.

The Library has four rooms that are available to be reserved by the public. No fee is charged for the use of Library space. All meeting space usage must comply with the Town of Franklin's Municipal Use Policy. Per the policy, these rooms may be used by Franklin-based non-profit, civic, community groups and organizations. The rooms are not available for non-Franklin based groups, commercial activities, transactions or enterprises, or for private or non-profit fundraising for non-municipal organizations. Use in any facility is not available for private, personal for-profit meetings, events or functions. No solicitation of goods or services is permitted on Town property, except those fundraising activities that directly support the Town's facilities or programs.

On the first floor, there is the Friends of the Franklin Library Community Room (capacity of 25), and the Meeting Room (capacity of 50). On the second floor, there is a Study Room which accommodates four people, and a Conference Room that seats six to eight people. To make a reservation, please visit our link Reserve a Room. For inquiries regarding the Community Room or Meeting Room, contact Library Director Felicia Oti via email or call 508-520-4941. Reserve space in other Town of Franklin Departments. The Meeting Room and the Community Room cannot be reserved for ongoing, regularly scheduled meetings. All events must be open to the public and advertised as such. Any one qualified organization can reserve no more than four meetings annually between the Community Room and the Meeting Room.

If you are simply looking for a quiet place to work or study, there are several options. The Horace Mann Reading Room is on the first floor, directly across from the Meeting Room. The Benjamin Franklin Reading Room and Gallery is a large room with six tables on the second floor. Devices may be charged from the base of the table lamps. If an especially quiet option is required, visit the study carrels on the fourth floor.

Save on time and data with text message notices and renewals. Text the word "SIGNUP" to 833-201-1813 to get started.

Get library notices sent directly to your mobile phone or tablet with Text Message Notices. Find out when your hold is ready for pick-up or get reminders about your items and account status. Simply text a reply to renew your items or get details about your library account. To get started, text "SIGNUP" to the phone number 833-201-1813. You will receive a response with instructions shortly. For more information, please visit the Minuteman Library website.