An applicant for membership shall show identification with a current residential address. Alternatively, an applicant may provide two forms of secondary identification as long as they combined contain a photograph and identifying information such as name and current residential address. Providing identification with only a post office box number or information related to school or other temporary residence is not adequate. Applicants shall provide either a telephone number or email address.

For applicants under the age of eighteen (18) to obtain a Legal Guardian must be present to sign a completed application. Applicants must be at least 5 years of age and able to sign their name. Parents and Guardians will be responsible for all items checked out on their children’s cards. Parents and Legal Guardians reserve the right to suspend the library privileges of minors for whom they are responsible.

Minors sixteen (16) years of age or older can apply for membership on their own if they can provide a valid driver’s instruction permit or an identification card issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles provided it contains a photograph and identifying information including name and current residential address.

Local organizations with students and/or residents may register for a Library card to be used by the organization’s staff to check out materials. Cards are issued to organizations which assume all responsibility for any activity on their account and assume all fine and replacement costs. Local organizations should contact the director for further details.

Residents of Lancaster in good standing with the Library can request a temporary Library membership for a visiting family members taying in the resident’s home. To obtain a temporary membership, residents should contact the Libreary and request a temporary membership application. Temporary memberships are issued for a 3-month period. This period may be extended by the Director. Temporary memberships issued to visiting family members permit hte holder to borrow materials owned by Thayer Memorial Library exclusively and cannot be used to place Holds or Interlibrary Loans, or employ any other mechanism to borrow materials from any other library.

Applicants who do not meet Massachusetts residency requirements may purchase a wone-year library card for a non-refundable fee of $15. Cards issued to applicants who do not meet Massachusetts residency requirements only permit the holder to borrow materials owned by Thayer Memorial Library and cannot be used to place Holds or Interlibrary Loans, or employ any other mechanism to borrow materials from any other library. Applicants who do not meet Massachusetts residency requirements, but do pay Lancaster property taxes, can have their $15 card fee waived with proof of tax payment status.