A library card is free to anyone who is a resident of Putnam. The Connecticard program allows a resident of any town in the state who holds a valid borrower card issued by his home library to use that card to borrow materials from any public library in the state. To register for a card in Putnam a picture identification is needed showing name and current mailing address. If you have recently moved to town any piece of correspondence showing Putnam residency is acceptable. A parent or guardian with proper identification must sign applications for library cards for children under 14. Children can get their first library card when they turn four years of age.  Books borrowed at any Connecticut library may be returned at any other.

Conditions of Borrowing

The borrower is responsible for items borrowed on his/her card including fines charged for overdue materials and replacement costs for items lost and damaged. There is a limit of two items for first time borrowers. After a good borrowing record is established, there is no limit on the total number of items that a borrower may check out. There is a limit of 4 video items on a card at one time. Exceptions may be enforced if a group of students needs to use the same subject material.

Lending of Material

The Putnam Public Library loans books, magazines, books on tape/CD, and music CDs to any person with a valid Connecticut library card. DVDs and VHS films may be taken out by a child under 16 if their parent/guardian is present. The fines from overdue videos are $1.00 per day after the 1 week circulation period. The lending period for books, music CDs, and books on audiotape/CD is 3 weeks. The lending period for magazines and new books will be 2 weeks as of October 4..  There are no overdue fines for books, books on CD/audiotape and music CDs. The money donated in the donation/”guilty conscience” container at each circulation desk is used by the Friends of the Putnam Library for enhanced programs and services for the library.