The Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) is a member-driven and member-governed library network serving 36 public libraries in the greater Merrimack Valley region of Massachusetts. We support the staff in our member libraries by supplying technology, training, and a policy framework that allows them to better serve their communities.

Your MVLC library card is your key to world discovery! Our member libraries work hard to serve their communities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, MVLC libraries serve a population of 751,765. In fiscal year 2023, our libraries circulated 4,763,570 items - an average of 6.34 items checked out by each person in an MVLC community! Connect with your local public library to register for a library card and learn more about the collections, programs, and services that they offer.

Circulation Policies

Each member library is an independent entity and, as such, regulations, fines, and charges will vary from library to library. However, MVLC members do have some policies in common:

1. Residents of MVLC communities must have a library card from their home-town library.
2. Your MVLC card may be used at any public library in the consortium.
3. You are responsible for all materials borrowed on your card.
4. Most materials may be returned to any MVLC library.
5. Replacement costs will be charged for lost or damaged materials.
6. Fines and replacement costs may be paid at any MVLC library.
7. Borrowing privileges will be suspended if materials are not returned or if overdue fines are not paid.

Also, for your own protection, please remember:

1. If you change your name or your address, please report it to your local library immediately.
2. If your card is lost or stolen, please report it to your local library immediately.

Massachusetts residents are entitled to reciprocal privileges at all public libraries within the Commonwealth, as stipulated in the MBLC State Aid and Networks - Principles and Best Practices, distributed by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

MVLC Privacy Policy

The Merrimack Valley Library Consortium is committed to protecting the privacy of patrons’ personal information as well as information regarding individual use of member libraries or their services.

In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 78 Section 7: "That part of the records of a public library which reveals the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using such library shall not be a public record … “ MVLC considers circulation and registration records identifying the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of library patrons, as well as the materials borrowed or accessed electronically, not to be part of the public record. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (P.L. 107- 56) supercedes state law and expands the federal government's authority for access to library records and documents to protect against international terrorism and clandestine intelligence activities. It also expands the authority of federal law enforcement agencies to track telephone and electronic communication, including any dialing, routing, addressing, or signaling information and the actual content of the communication.

The information collected by MVLC is limited to what is believed be to be necessary or useful to conduct library business. Personal information such as name, address, phone number and email address are gathered for the purpose of identification and accountability for use of Library materials. MVLC doesn’t provide e-mail address to any third parties, except as necessary for provision of library services. Records of library use (i.e. amount of or titles of materials checked out and returned, items reserved, or services used) are maintained only for the purpose of statistics, unless otherwise authorized by the individual library user.

The intellectual pursuits of individuals using library or Internet resources are considered confidential information regardless of the age of the borrower. Such records shall not be made available to any individual or agency except pursuant to such process, order, subpoena or warrant as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigative power.

MVLC keeps no permanent record of Internet sites visited by library patrons, the electronic databases accessed, or the searches performed by individual patrons. Library patrons should be aware that MVLC and other Massachusetts library organizations license commercial databases from a variety of vendors. MVLC will make every effort to restrict electronic database vendors from collecting and using identifying personal information of its library users, however it provides no guarantee that personal information will not be shared with third parties.

MVLC counts the number of viewers of different web pages within the sites it hosts, using standard web server log files. This information is collected in order to improve the content offered on those sites and may be used to compile statistical reports. These logs do not include names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses or other identifying personal information.

Email messages sent to MVLC or a member library may be stored or forwarded to others within MVLC or to member library staff in order to respond to a request for information.

MVLC has appropriate security measures in place in our physical facilities to protect against the loss, misuse or alteration of information that MVLC has collected from you at our site. MVLC takes many measures to safeguard user information, but cannot and does not guarantee that every task completed via its network is private.

MVLC does not partner with or have special relationships with any ad server companies.

MVLC cannot and does not guarantee that every task completed on PCs connected to its network is private.

Individual MVLC libraries may have local Privacy Policies that may apply in addition to this consortium Policy.

Revised: 6/12

MVLC E-Commerce Policy

The Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) contracts with SirsiDynix to use the SirsiDynix BLUEcloud Commerce (BCC) online bill payment system. BCC offers an interface between the SirsiDynix Enterprise Online Catalog, the SirsiDynix Symphony ILS, and PROPAY to allow library patrons to pay their fines and fees with a credit card at any internet-connected device or computer. When a patron pays by credit card, the account is immediately and automatically updated in the Symphony ILS.

Minimum Fine/Fee Threshold to Use e-Commerce

$5.00

Convenience Fees

MVLC library patrons will not be charged credit card convenience fees.

Participating Libraries

All MVLC libraries will participate in BLUEcloud Commerce.

Refunds

All payments by credit card are final and non-refundable.

Card Acceptance

Discover, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express will be accepted for payment in the Enterprise Online Catalog.

Patron Privacy

MVLC is committed to protecting patron privacy. MVLC and its vendors will not use, disclose, store, sell, or disseminate any cardholder information obtained in connection with a card transaction except for purposes of authorizing, completing, and settling card transactions.

When making payments, patrons will be directed to a third party service provider (PROPAY), which has been accredited by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) to meet their Data Security Standards (DSS). This ensures that all transactions are securely performed between the customer's financial institution and the MVLC merchant account provider.

Patrons may make e-commerce payments from any internet-connected computer or device. Member libraries have the option to purchase a card swiper for self-checkout stations.

Patron Service

MVLC provides these credit card processing services as a "patron self-service" function in the SirsiDynix Enterprise Online Catalog. This service is a convenient way for patrons to pay fines/fees and clear their accounts immediately. Member libraries will continue to collect fines and fees in the form of cash or check.

Library staff ARE NOT PERMITTED to accept credit cards across the desk. Library staff may provide verbal or written assistance to patrons at public workstations, but are not to handle credit cards or enter credit card information for patrons.