The Mission of the Worcester Public Library is to serve as a gathering place that actively promotes the free exchange of ideas in our democratic society. The library makes information and services available to all people while fostering intellectual freedom, protecting privacy, encouraging personal growth and enrichment, and celebrating our diverse community heritage.

Everyone may apply for a Worcester Public Library card regardless of their place of residence. For information on getting a library card, please see the Get a Library Card page.

Patrons are responsible for all items checked out on their cards. Parents/guardians are responsible for all materials checked out on the cards of children (17 years and under) for whom they are responsible.

Lost cards must be reported immediately. Cardholders are responsible for all materials checked out on their card up to the time the card is reported lost.

Borrowing privileges of library users will be suspended if they have lost or damaged items on their record or an account balance of $10 or more. See our Borrowing and Fines Policy for more info.

Your Worcester Public Library card provides access to materials from across the globe.  Items picked up at any Worcester Public Library location, including Mobile Libraries, are subject to the loan periods and fines of the owning library. Items picked up at any Worcester Public Library location, including Mobile Libraries, may be returned to any CW MARS library location with the exception of unique Interlibrary Loan materials, museum passes and items that are part of the Library of Things collection. These items must be returned to the library branch from which they were borrowed.

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 78, Section 7, the Worcester Public Library will not disclose any record or information that identifies a user of library services. Records may be disclosed only in the following circumstances:

• If necessary for the reasonable operation of the library, as determined by the Executive Director.
• On the written consent of the library user.
• If required by law.

It is the library policy to discontinue borrowing privileges to residents of communities without certified public libraries and to discontinue interlibrary loans to such libraries, except when a library is not certified because of conditions beyond the community’s control such as fire, natural disaster, or other extenuating circumstances as determined by the Board of Directors.

Updated and Approved by the Board of Directors 12/17/2024