Covid-19 Library Services

View links to COVID-19 resources and community services here


Library Services

(updated 5/12/2021)

As of May 10, the library building is now open to the public for browsing:

Monday - Thursday 10am-8pm

Friday 10am-5pm

Saturday 10am-4pm

Youth Library hours will continue to be by appointment based on staff availability.

Computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but you may call ahead to make an appointment if you wish.

Please see our press release for full details. 

Library staff can be reached by phone (978-829-1780), email (fplref@cwmars.org), or our Ask a Librarian form with any questions you may have.

Visit the Library

Browsing (Adult Library)

The adult library is now open for browsing from 10am-8pm Monday - Thursday; 10am-5 pm Fridays; 10am-4pm Saturdays.

Please limit your browsing time to 40 minutes. You must correctly wear a mask at all times while in the library. That means your nose and mouth are covered. Please sanitize your hands upon entry into the building.

Remember to bring your library card!

Youth Library Visits by Appointment

Please call the Youth Library directly at 978-829-1789 to make an appointment. Appointment times vary, based on staff availability.

Masks are required and hand sanitizer will be available upon entering. Children are welcomed to join you, but please be aware that all of the toys have been put away and they will not be able to play on the computers.

Computer Use 

Our public computers are available to use on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to social distancing guidelines, a limited number of computers are available. You may make an appointment up to one day in advance, if you wish by calling 978-829-1780. Computer sessions will be for 1 hour. Printing is available at $0.10 per page, and you may make photocopies at $0.15 per page. Please have change with you.

If you will need hands-on help, please consider bringing someone with you who can assist. Maximum of two people for one computer per time slot. Please know your email address and password, and any other account log in information you may need. We cannot help you recover a forgotten account. If you require assistance, please message the librarian using the chat function located on the computer desktop. 

You must correctly wear a mask at all times while in the library. That means your nose and mouth are covered. Please sanitize your hands upon entry into the building.


Curbside Pickup Services


Requesting Items for Pickup

This can be done in one of three ways:

If you don’t have specific items in mind, please call or email us - a librarian will be happy to select some titles for you! You can also ask us for book recommendations with our new online form!

You will be notified by phone or email when your request is ready. 

Returns

All items can now be returned to our book drops inside. The outdoor book drops are also open 24/7 for returns.

Due Dates

New items being checked out will have standard 3-week (book) or 1-week (DVD) loan periods. All items will have one automatic renewal. Please note that the Fitchburg Public Library does not charge overdue fees. See here for all of our standard lending policies.

Printing, Faxing & Photocopies

Yes, you can still print and fax with us! Pick up your items curbside. 

Printing: If you have something that you need printed, you can email it to us at fplref@cwmars.org, or upload it to our remote printing service. If you need it printed in a hurry, please give us a a call to let us know you sent something. Please bring exact change (10 cents per page B&W, $1.00 per page color). 

Faxing: Please come to the Information Desk for faxing. Please bring exact change ($1.00 for the first page, 50 cents for each additional page).

Photocopies: Our public photocopier is available during business hours. Copies are 15 cents per page.

Library Cards

To sign up for a new library card, please visit the library to fill out an application form. See this page for further information on what is required to get a card. You may also fill out this online form and a staff member will be in touch within 1-2 business days.

If your library card has expired, or if you have any problems accessing online resources with your card, please give us a call so we can get your account updated.

Holds & Interlibrary Loans

Statewide delivery and ComCat are operating as normal.

Electronic Resources

See here for our listing of free educational and homeschooling resources.

Visit cwmars.overdrive.com or download the Libby app to access ebooks and audiobooks available for download.

To access ALL of the FPL resources available to you online, visit our Ebooks & Digital Resources page.

  • These resources include:
    • Novelist (book recommendations and read-alikes).
    • A-Z World Food (free recipe database).
    • Freegal (stream and download music).
    • Gale Databases.
    • NewsBank (access to Sentinel archives and vetted sources for world and national news).
    • Ancestry.com (available free from home through September 30, 2021, thanks to ProQuest) & HeritageQuest.
    • and many more!

Virtual Events

We are holding library events virtually! Please view our online calendar for upcoming events. 

Tax Assistance & Forms

Due to volunteer shortages, the AARP Tax-Aide Program will not be hosted at FPL this year. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes our patrons. You may try other locations from the directory of other AARP Tax-Aide sites, or search for a VITA Tax Prep site nearby. Please note that volunteer shortages and COVID restrictions mean that appointments at all sites are very limited this year.

Consider filing your federal taxes online for free with IRS Free File, supported by software partners like TurboTax and TaxSlayer. Browse the offers and find one that you qualify for on the IRS Free File website.

Explore free options for filing your state taxes online through the MA Department of Revenue's eFile program.

Tax forms & instructions are here and available in the lobby. Forms can also be printed from the IRS website, or request forms to be mailed to you by calling 800-829-3676.