Persons living, working, or attending a college or university in Massachusetts are eligible for a library card. Adults (age 18 or older) and minors must apply for a borrower's card in person at a Trial Court Law Library. Court employees with a .jud, .appct, or .sjc email address can fill out a form on the TCLL website.
A.
For persons living in Massachusetts: A valid State driver's license, a valid State-issued photo ID, or a valid US passport with a current home address.
B.
For persons working in Massachusetts: A valid State driver's license, a valid State-issued ID, or a valid US passport with current home address, along with a work ID or letter from their employer.
C.
For persons attending college in Massachusetts: A valid State driver's license or valid State-issued ID and a student ID or school documentation.
D.
If a person does not have the above documents or the mailing address does not match the address on the ID, they may present any one identification from each of the following two lists:
- Current photo ID
- Government-issued cards such as Military ID, FID card, etc.
- School or work ID
- Alien registration card
- Address verification (must include name and current home street address)
- Rent receipt confirming 30-day occupancy
- Utility bill dated within the past 30 days
- Government-issued documents such as a motor vehicle registration
- Bank check or deposit slip with name and address imprint
- Letter dated within the last 30 days from a social service provider, landlord,
employer, etc., verifying the address
A post office box or business address is not acceptable.
E.
If you cannot provide the above identification and address verification, the TCLLs will mail you a letter. When you return in person with the letter, you will be given a six-month library card and may borrow 1 item at a time. At the end of six months, you must confirm your current address with the law library to extend it. If you obtain an ID and verification, your six-month card will be converted to a two-year library card.
F.
A minor may obtain a card in person with the co-signature of a parent or legal guardian who is a TCLL card holder in good standing. A parent or legal guardian must fill out a registration form if they are not a registered TCLL borrower, even if they do not receive an actual borrower's card. Both registration forms will be kept on file.
G.
A completed, signed registration form with a current home address and phone number is required before issuing a card. A patron's email address is used strictly for future library communication. Email addresses are not given or sold to third parties. The law library staff will verify eligibility but not record ID information such as a driver's license, state-issued identification card number, or passport number. Birth dates are entered into the circulation system.
H.
The borrower's card is mailed to the home address and may be used at any Trial Court Law Library. If a borrower loses their original card, a maximum of two replacement cards will be issued free of charge. Any additional replacement cards cost $5.00 and must be paid for by a check or money order made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A borrower's card remains active for two years from the registration date. To renew a card, a borrower must contact a TCLL and update their registration information in person, by phone, or via email.
I.
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 266, Section 99A, "the giving of a false identification or fictitious name, address or place of employment with the intent to deceive, or borrowing or attempting to borrow any library material or property by: the use of a library card issued to another without the other's consent; the use of a library card knowing that it is revoked, canceled or expired; or, the use of a library card knowing that it is falsely made, counterfeit or materially altered shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars."