Burlington Public Library Begins Automatic Renewal Program

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington Public Library Director Michael Wick announced Tuesday that the library has begun automatically renewing most items. Outside certain exceptions, items will automatically renew three days before their due date. Items that will not be automatically renewed include:

• hot titles
• items on waiting lists
• items that have reached their renewal limit
• items borrowed from outside the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC)
• Items checked out from a nonparticipating library

Automatic renewals follow the library's move to a fine-free model in November. The library only charges fines for overdue museum passes, now.

“Automatic renewals and fine forgiveness are two means to the same end: removing barriers to the use of library materials and improving the experience for all of our patrons,” Wick said in a statement. “We’re excited to be able to make this program a reality, and we have no doubt that it’ll have a positive impact on all of our patrons.”

"Patrons who have registered their email addresses with the library will get an email notifying them that their items have been automatically renewed — as well as reminders of upcoming due dates," the announcement continues. "To register for these reminders and updates, patrons may sign up online, call the library at 781-270-1693 or speak with a staff member at the circulation desk."

Burlington's automatic renewal program is a pilot for other libraries in the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium, the announcement notes. Other libraries in the consortium are expected to introduce a similar program in the future.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.