Library Accounts

Get a new or replacement card

Thomas Crane Public Library cards are available for free. To register or get a replacement card, visit any TCPL location and bring the following:

  • A photo ID showing your current street address (PO Boxes are not accepted)
  • If your photo ID does not show your current address, a letter or bill (paper or electronic) showing your name and current address.

Register for an e-card online

Massachusetts residents can apply for an e-card online. With an e-card, you can access and use our online resources and databases, borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks, and stream music, movies, and TV online. You can also place holds on library materials using an e-card, but e-cards must be converted to a permanent card in order to borrow physical library materials.

E-cards that are not in use and do not have any holds will be purged from the system after 180 days.

Automatic renewals

Most Quincy-owned items will be automatically renewed three times, with the exception of items that are on hold for other library users.

Items from other Old Colony Library Network libraries will be automatically renewed twice.

You will receive an email notice or text message when an item is automatically renewed. If you would like to opt out of automatic renewals, please ask library staff to update your account settings.

Items can be manually renewed online, by phone, or in person with your library card.

Renewing items online

  • You may renew items up to three days before the due date; the renewal period will begin as of the due date.
  • Go to the catalog, click on My Account, and sign in with your library barcode number and PIN.
  • Click on Checkouts tab.
  • Select the items you would like to renew by clicking on the small square next to the item(s) and click Renew.
  • If you successfully renewed your item(s), you will see a message with the new due date.

How to place a hold

You can place a hold on library items in person, on the phone, or online with your library card.

If you are unable to place a hold online, you may have:

  • Outstanding charges on your account.
  • Selected an item set to Local Holds, which means it is available only to the owning library’s patrons.

Placing holds online

  • Go to the catalog, click My Account and enter your library barcode number and PIN.
  • Search for items by Title, Author, Subject, etc.
  • Once you have identified the item you wish to place on hold, click the Place Hold button to the right of the item.
  • Select a location to pick up the item and then click Place Hold(s).
  • You will see a confirmation screen and then be returned to your catalog search results.

Viewing holds

You can see a list of your holds and available items by logging into your library account.

  • Go to the catalog, click on My Account and enter your library barcode number and PIN.
  • Click the Holds tab (near the top center of the screen).
  • You will see a list of Items on Hold, which will include items not yet available for pickup (pending) or those that are ready for pickup (available).
  • From this screen, you may also modify or cancel your holds.

How much are overdue fees?

Thomas Crane Public Library does not charge overdue fees for any Library-owned items.

The only exception to this is museum passes, which will accrue an automatic $20 overdue fee if returned late.

Although TCPL no longer charges overdue fees, you may still accrue overdue fees on items owned by other Old Colony Library Network libraries, according to the policies of the owning library.

How do I pay an overdue fee?

You can pay overdue fees at any of our locations or at any other Old Colony Library Network member library. Staff can only accept cash and checks made out to Thomas Crane Public Library.

Pay Online

For amounts of $5 or more, you can also pay online using a credit card. Online payment is immediate. If you have been blocked from placing holds or renewing items because of outstanding charges, paying them online will immediately resolve your account charges and restore full library privileges.

  1. Log into your library account.
  2. Select Fines/Current Fines and follow the on-screen prompts.