Library Cards

Hampton Residents and Taxpayers

• Two forms of identification are required. One must be a photo ID and one must have a Hampton street address. Common forms of ID include: driver's licenses, utility bills, tax bills, etc.
• Cards are valid as long as residency in Hampton (or ownership of property in town) continues. (Please let us know of any changes to name, address or phone numbers.)

Non-Residents

Non-residents who work in Hampton or who work for a business that has a current Hampton Chamber of Commerce Membership may apply for free library cards. Proof of employment is required, along with a photo ID.  Non-residents who do not work in town may purchase a card.

• 12-month cards are available for $60 per year
• 4-month cards are available for $20 per year

At the time of your library card registration you will be issued a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which will provide access to your online account. Library cards for children are available beginning at age 7. Children in grade 6 and under may obtain their cards in the Children's Room. Young adults under age 18 may obtain a card. Youth who wish to have a library card without a parent/guardian present may receive a card that let’s them take out 2 items until a parent/guardian acknowledges the library privacy policy and that their child was issued a card. A letter is sent home to a parent/guardian with a self addressed and stamped notecard for a parent/guardian to sign and return to the library, acknowledging the library privacy policy and that their child has been issued a card. After acknowledgement, the card is granted full borrowing privileges.

Patrons may update their record online at at any time to reflect changes of address, telephone, or email.  Go to My Account , enter a valid library card number (no spaces) and PIN to access your record.

Loan Terms

TEMPORARY LOAN TERMS IN EFFECT SINCE MARCH 2020.
Loan periods and most renewal limits are suspended due COVID-19. All items are being circulated for a 4 week period.

Most items go out for three weeks.  Exceptions include:

• New Fiction books (and a few very popular new non-fiction titles) : two weeks
• 7-day Fiction Books: seven days
• Magazines: current issue is non-circulating, all others three weeks
• Framed Art Works: two months
• Popular DVD & Bluray Movies: two days

Most new items, non-book materials and magazines may be renewed just once. Older books and some non-book materials may be renewed a total of three times. The following items may never be renewed:

• Books on Reserve
• 7-day Fiction Books
• Framed Art Works
• Popular DVD & Bluray Movies
• Museum Passes

Materials may be reserved on-line through our catalog, or by telephone.  You will be called and/or receive an email when the reserved material is available for checkout.  Materials not in our collection may be available via Inter-Library Loan. Contact us for details.

Lost Library Cards

Please report lost or stolen library cards immediately so you will not be held responsible for any items checked out to the card. You may apply for a new card upon presentation of ID. Your card must be clear of any fines or outstanding items before you can re-register.

Library cards are only to be used by the individual registered for that card, however an individual may pick up a reserve book or item on hold for another person if they present that person's library card. Home-bound patrons may write a letter requesting that a named friend/relative may use their card to borrow materials for them.

Late Fees & Fines

In recognition that most patrons are very responsible with library materials, the Lane Memorial Library does not charge late fees, although we have a donation box at each Circulation Desk for contributions in lieu of fines. We will call or email patrons with items that are one and two weeks overdue, and send written notice at three weeks overdue, followed one week later by a final billing notice. Failure to return materials after such notice may result in revocation of library privileges and possible civil action.

Available Resources

The library has nearly 70,000 books, videos, audios, magazines, newspapers and other materials in its collection.

New books can be found on the free-standing shelf opposite the circulation desk checkout area. All new items are marked with pink tape at the top of their spines.  7-Day books (new and very popular) are shelved on top of the bookcase opposite the Circulation Desk. 

Audiobooks and music CDs are available for checkout.  Books on CD are on the shelves just to the right of the newspaper racks.  Music CDs are available in browsing bins through the hallway beyond the magazines area.

Downloadable ebooks and audiobooks are available from home via the Overdrive Digital Library Reserve.  Use your library card and your personal computer, tablet or e-reader and a fast Internet connection to download and listen to best sellers, non-fiction, children’s books, classics, and language instruction.

Movies and TV shows (DVD and Blu-ray) are available for a three-week loan and are shelved just to the left as you enter the library. New movies circulate for 2 days and are shelved above the regular DVD collection.  TV series on DVD are shelved against the main circulation desk on either side of the column. Children's videos are downstairs in the Children's Services area and non-fiction videos are located next to the feature film DVDs, as well as inter-shelved with books by subject in the adult area.

Computers are available for public use by obtaining a ticket at the Main Desk. Computer reservations are limited to an hour at a time, with extra time available if at least one workstation is still available. Microsoft Office and other software products are available on the computers; printouts are 10 cents per page, 25 cents for color. Internet access is through a fast cable connection. Free Wireless Internet access is available throughout the building.

Museum passes and discounts are available for a large number of area museums from Boston to Portland.  There is no charge for borrowing a museum pass, but a charge may be assessed if the pass is returned late and the next patron waiting pays the full admittance price. Passes admit up to four people free or at a substantial discount. See our Museum Passes page for more information.

Magazines and newspapers are available in the reading area.  Past issues of magazines may be checked out and are found on the shelves under the display racks.  Issues not found there are stored downstairs; ask at the desk for them with specific dates please.  Access to thousands of periodical articles is available online from our website as well. Sunday classified ads are kept at the desk. Also be sure to check out our online newstand.

Large Print books are shelved in the Dearborn-Redden Room, just beyond the CD browsing bins.

Framed art prints that may be checked out for two months at a time are available by request using our on-line catalog (view our collection here).

On-line Research Databases are available to all Lane Library patrons, both in the library and from home.  Resources include Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest for genealogy research, EBSCO for access to magazine / newspaper articles, Universal Class for online course, Transparent Language to learn foreign languages, Morningstar for investment research, and Novelist for tips on what to read next and complete bibliographies on popular authors.  Check our Research Databases page for more information.  Note that some sites will require you to enter your library card number.

New Hampshire history and local genealogical materials are found in the New Hampshire Room.  Free tax help through AARP is also available from February to April 15th.  Ask at the desk for specific times.

Children's Story Hours for ages 15 months to age 6 are run in the Children's area.  Ask at their desk for information or call their direct line, 926-4729.