LIBRARY POLICIES

Library Cards

PLEASE REPORT A LOST OR STOLEN CARD IMMEDIATELY.

PLEASE NOTE:
Library cards will NOT be mailed to you.
You must pick up your card in person at the South Plainfield Public Library.
You will be asked to show proof of address when you come to get your card.

You are eligible for a library card if you live in South Plainfield.
Borrowing agreements with other local libraries allow residents of South Plainfield to borrow at nearby libraries.
Valid proof of address must be presented when obtaining a library card.
A resident's card must be renewed every three years.
There is a $2.00 replacement fee for a lost library card. Please report a lost or stolen card immediately.
Nonresidents who work in the town are also eligible for a library card free of charge with proof of local employment. This card is valid for one year.
Nonresidents who do not work in town may also borrow library materials. The nonresident patron record is valid for one year. Cards from participating Mural libraries in Union, Middlesex, Essex and Hudson counties are welcome at the South Plainfield Library.
There is no minimum age to apply for a library card. Signature of a parent or guardian is required when applying for a juvenile library card.
Some of our resources require a South Plainfield Library barcode.
Key chain cards are available. If you would like to exchange your standard library card for a key chain card, there is a fee of $.50.

Examples of acceptable identification:

Name Verification

Driver's License
State I.D.
Passport
Student I.D.
Birth Certificate
Military I.D.

Address Verification

Driver's License
State I.D.
Passport
Pre-Printed Check
Lease Agreement
Utility Bill
Recently Postmarked Mail
(within the past 90 days)
Voter Registration Card
Bank Statement
Pay Check
Car Registration Papers
Insurance Card
Property Tax Receipt

Loan Periods

28 Days - Books
14 Days - New books, Books on Tape, Magazines, CDs, CD-ROMs
2 Days - Videos and DVDs

Fines (per day)

$ .10 - Books
$ .25 - Books on Tape and CDs
$2.00 - Videos and DVDs
Fines shall not exceed the price of the item.
Cardholders are responsible for all items checked out on their library card and any fees/fines. If your card is lost or stolen, please report it to us immediately.
Parents (or legal guardians) are responsible for all items checked out on their minor children's library card and any fees/fines.
Fines accumulate from the first day the item is overdue.
Lost or damaged materials will be charged the original purchase price.
If you owe fines or other charges of $25 or more, your account will be blocked and you will not be able to borrow library materials or use library computers until it is paid. If you owe fines of $35 or more, your account will be turned over to a Collection Agency.

Other Charges

$0.50 Mail notification of holds or overdue items
$2.00 Replacement of library card
$5.00 Missing case or insert from AV item
$15.00 Collection Agency fee for accounts which exceed $35.00 in fines

Checkout Limits

AV items may be checked out at a maximum of 4 titles of each type
(video, DVD, audiobook, CD, CD-ROM) per library card.
Except when needed for school reports, there is no limit on the number of books.

AV Policies

Return of videocassettes: Please REWIND ALL TAPES before returning them to the library. To minimize damage, we prefer that all audiovisual materials be returned in person during library hours. However, when the library is closed, you may place them inside the audiovisual drop by the front door.
Waiver of liability: The library assumes no responsibility for any damage to your own audio, video, or computer equipment that may occur while using library AV materials.
Copyright laws: Patrons agree to adhere to all federal copyright laws and/or performance restrictions that apply to audiovisual materials. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES shall any video, film, software, recording, or other audiovisual material be copied by any process, electronic or mechanical, in whole or in part. The borrower is solely responsible for any legal action that may result from possible copyright infringement.
Children: A child whose parent or legal guardian has signed an Audio Visual Agreement form may borrow any materials in the library's audiovisual collection. Parents are responsible for supervising their children's selection of appropriate audiovisual materials; the library will not restrict the use of its Video or Audio collection because of the age of the borrower.

Renewals

Library materials may be renewed unless there is a hold on the item.
To renew materials, visit our library website, call the Circulation Desk at (908) 754-7885, use the Library's automated catalog, or call Elvis our automated phone renewal system at (908) 757-3280.
Renewals of materials borrowed through Interlibrary Loan are limited by the lending library, not by the South Plainfield Public Library. For more information, please call (908) 754-7885.
You have three options for renewing library materials: by computer, by touch-tone phone, or with assistance from Library Staff.

COLLECTION AGENCY

The South Plainfield Public Library has contracted with a collection agency, Unique Management Services, Inc., to help us collect unpaid fines and recover unreturned books, videos, cds, dvds, and other materials, because:

Materials which are not returned to the library are not available for others to use.
Replacing lost materials is costly for the library and for taxpayers.
All unresolved accounts over $35 will be turned over to the collection agency.

A service charge of $15.00 will be added to the balance owed. Please help us to serve all library patrons by returning overdue materials today.

PAGERS & CELL PHONES

In consideration of fellow library users, please turn down the volume on your pagers and cell phones, or set to vibrate mode.
All cell phone conversations must be conducted outside the library building.