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Abbot Public Library FAQs

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1. How do I get a library card?

Simply provide identification that confirms your home address such as a driver’s license, checkbook, voter registration card, utility bill or a postmarked envelope addressed to you at your home.

2. What materials are available at Abbot Public Library?

Fiction and nonfiction books, books on tape or CD, Internet resources with a number of data bases, music CDs and LPs, CD-ROMs, movies on videotape and DVD, magazines, newspapers, and museum passes. Interlibrarly loan will bring materials from other libraries to Abbot Public Library. The Marblehead Room offers materials relevant to Marblehead history.

3. How long can materials be borrowed and can I renew them? What are the fines for overdue items?

Most items are borrowed for two weeks and are ususally renewable unless reserved by someone else. Fines are generally $.10 per day for adult materials and $.05 per day for children's materials. Videos and DVDs have a $1.00 fine per day if the material is late. See library website for details on fines and borrowing period. Abbot Public Library Website

4. Does the library carry local newspapers?

Yes, Abbot Public Library subscribes to the Marblehead Reporter, Lynn Item and Salem News along with the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald. The Abbot Public Library also subscribes to an online data base called News Bank that is available at the library or from any cardholder's home computer. NewsBank provides access to four local newspapers: Boston Globe (1980-current), Boston Herald (1997-current), Worcester Telegram-Gazette (1989-current), and the Springfield Union-News (1988-current). Go to the library's link to the online databases on the Library Website

5. Can I check out books on someone else’s library card?

You may use another person’s card to check out materials if you have the library card with you. Library cardholders are responsible for materials checked out to their card, so we ask that you use your own card for books you are taking out for yourself.

If you forget your card, the library personnel can look it up and still check out your books to you most of the time.

6. What other materials does the library have?

Abbot Public Library has both federal and state tax forms, a copy of the property valuation book for Marblehead, the directory of town residents, and telephone directories.

7. Can I use my library card at other libraries?

Yes, library cards are good for the entire group of NOBLE (North of Boston Library Exchange) libraries. You may need to show your Abbot Library card to obtain borrowing privileges at other Massachusetts public libraries. Books and materials from other libraries may be turned in at Abbot Public Library, where they are checked in and returned to the appropriate lending library.

8. Does the Library have any book clubs that I can join?

Yes. The Senior Book Discussion group meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 10:00 AM in the Marblehead Room. New members are always welcome. If you are interested in starting your own book discussion group, the Library has materials to help you.

9. How can I use the computerized card catalog from my own computer?

Go to the library's website for directions. Library Website

10. What study, research and writing aids and equipment are available for public use?

The library has study carrels, two electric typewriters, one PC word processor with Microsoft Office 2003 and a printer, 13 PC computers with Internet connections and a wireless system so residents can bring their own laptops and connect to the Internet at the Abbot Public Library for free.

11. Are there places to hold meetings in the library?

The library offers meeting rooms for public use. Abbot Library has both a Meeting Room and a Conference Room available for use by the general public. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 781-631-1481 during Library hours.

• The Meeting Room accommodates 100 chairs and has a speaker system available. Also available are a podium, a projection screen and an overhead projector. An Internet connection is available. Kitchen facilities are also available. The fee is $25 and the event must be open to all. No fee may be charged to any of the attendees.


• The Conference Room seats eight-ten people around a table and could hold up to 15 people. There is a white board in the room. The fee is $10. No fee may be charged to any of the attendees.

Visit the Abbot Public Library site for Library Meeting Room Policies

12. Can I use the Abbot Public Library's online databases from my home computer?

Yes. With your library card a number of databases are accessible 24 hours a day, including:
EBSCO Magazines which allows you to search over 2000 magazines, newspapers and journals for full text articles and InfoTrac that provides 11 separate online resources to help you find full-text articles and other information about biographies, business, literature and the arts, health, sports, social sciences, the humanities, science, technology and more, to name just of few that are available. Access the Databases