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Library Information for Members of the Public

If you are interested in using the Library and its resources and are a public user of our library (i.e. not currently a student or employee at Fitchburg State), check out this guide!

How do I borrow materials from the library?

If you are interested in borrowing our physical materials, you will be required to register for a Special ID. This will act as your borrowing card, and you will present it with the materials that you want to take home from the Library.

To qualify for a Special ID, you must be 18 years old and present a valid photo ID with your address. The following groups get Special ID privileges for free: 

  • Alumni who present an FSU alumni card (request one here)
  • Fitchburg residents with proof of Fitchburg address
  • Students and faculty from Massachusetts state colleges and universities who present a valid school ID and, for students, proof of current semester enrollment. 
  • Faculty or students from a participating Worcester ARC library (you must present a valid ARC card issued by your home library)

If you do not meet one of the following criteria, you must pay a fee to register for a Special ID, either $15 for 6 months or $30 for a full year. 

What am I allowed to borrow?

Close up of a shelf of books. Public users are allowed to borrow any book or DVD from our collection that they would like (unless that item has been marked for in-Library use only or is on reserve for a class). You may check out up to 10 items at a time--books are able to be checked out for 28 days (with one renewal), and DVDs are allowed to be checked out for 14 days. 

Unfortunately, are not able to provide interlibrary loan borrowing to our public users, but we are happy to help direct you to your local public library who will be able to manage those services for you.