Library Cards

Get a Library Card

A Truro Library Card brings you an entire library network of information and entertainment. With your card, you can borrow materials from the Truro Library as well as any other "CLAMSnet" library on Cape Cod. CLAMS stands for "Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing." Library cards issued by members are honored by all member libraries.

In addition to print materials like books and magazines, we have DVDs, puzzles, Lynda.com, Consumer Reports, digital magazines, movie streaming services, e-books and e-audiobooks, in-house genealogy tools, and even an iron, sewing machine, and gardening tools that you can borrow with your library card. Truro Library cards are free to Massachusetts residents, students, and workers and to non-resident Truro homeowners. All others are asked for a $5 annual fee.

How to Get a Card

Please bring photo identification and proof of address when applying for a card. You can complete an Adult Registration Form or a Children's Registration Form and bring it in, or fill out an application at the Library when you come in.

A parent or guardian must accompany children applying for cards.

Borrowers are responsible for all items borrowed on their card, including replacement costs for lost or damaged items. The library does not charge late fees as long as an item is returned.

How to Use Your Card

Truro Public Library is a member of the CLAMS (Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing) Consortium and if you are a CLAMS patron you may use any of the CLAMS libraries. If you have a library card from another library system not connected to CLAMS, you will be required to apply for a CLAMS library card.

How to Replace My Card

You may visit the library and request a new library card. Please bring some form of photo ID for verification. Once you have received a new card, your previous card will no longer be active.

Use or Create a PIN

Open your Internet browser and in the URL/Address bar, type in the CLAMS website. Or, try an internet search for "CLAMS" and select "Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing." Once on the CLAMS website, click on "My Account" across the top of the page, which will bring you to the log-in page. Your Username is your library card number: enter the number with no spaces. Your PIN is the four numbers or letters the library gave you when you signed up for your card. It may be the last four numbers of your phone number on file or it may be a PIN of your choosing. If you were not given/assigned a PIN, then follow the instructions on the log-in page to create a pin. Once logged in to your account, you may create a username and will no longer need your library card number to log in.

Reset My PIN

The library does not have access to your PIN number. If you have forgotten your PIN, call or visit the library to have it reset. If you supplied an email when signing up for your library card, you may reset the PIN online. Follow the instructions found on the log-in page to reset your PIN.

How to Check Out Items

  • Books, audio recordings, back issues of periodicals, puzzles, and other items may be borrowed for a two-week period.
  • Videos (VHS and DVD) may be borrowed for a calendar week.
  • Reference materials and current issues of periodicals are typically non-circulating. Previous issues of periodicals may be checked out for a two-week period.
  • Museum Pass terms are specific to the institution.
  • Most materials may be returned to any CLAMS member library.

How to Renew Items

Most library materials automatically renew, up to 3 times. If your items did not auto-renew or you need more than 3 renewals, please call the Library during working hours to renew items: 508-487-1125. Some items may not be renewable if other patrons are requesting them.

How to Return Items

CLAMS is a cooperative system, so you can return your items to any CLAMS library. Please return Inter-Library loan materials to the CLAMS library of origin. Marked, more vulnerable items should be brought inside rather than dropped in a dropbox.

Please return items from a library system outside of CLAMS to that library system.