As a participant in the State Aid to Public Libraries Program administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Forbes Library must comply with requirements regarding use of its collection that are specified in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 78, Section 19A and 19B and further defined in the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (605 CMR 4.00).

Forbes Library extends reciprocal borrowing privileges to residents of the Commonwealth, including students, who reside in communities that offer state certified library services. It is the policy of Forbes Library 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 or natural disaster.

Forbes Library continues to extend access to its materials for use in the library by all Massachusetts residents as required by 605 CMR 4.01(l), which states that all residents of the Commonwealth shall have access to its reading and reference rooms under the same conditions as residents of the community.

Forbes Library will provide immediate reinstatement of borrowing and interlibrary loan privileges to all affected borrowers once a library is recertified.

Out of state visitors will be issued a card for an annual fee.

Approved by Board of Trustees 5/19/2022