About US>Access, Registration and Borrowing Policies

Access, Registration and Borrowing Policies

This information summarizes the library’s policies and practices for access, registration, and borrowing.  For complete policy information please speak with a library staff member.

Access

The goal of the Somerset County Library System is to provide information, materials and services to meet the wide range of needs of all its patrons.  The library endeavors to support the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.  Access to all library materials, services and facilities will be provided to all patrons regardless of origin, age, background or views. 

• All individuals are responsible for the selection of the materials they use; parents are encouraged to participate in their children's selections.  The library shall permit children access to all materials, services and facilities with two exceptions:
• Video cassettes and DVDs are made available to minors only with written consent of their parent or guardian.
• Written consent of a parent or guardian is also required in order for a minor to access the Internet when a parent or guardian is not present.

Confidentiality of Library Records

In general only the staff and the cardholder have access to information about a patron’s library record.  The New Jersey Statute NJSA 18A:73-43.1-3 requires that library records which contain the names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of libraries are confidential and shall be disclosed only in very specific circumstances.  Under the federal USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 disclosure of library records may be required when a search warrant or court order is presented to the library.  

Children, too, are entitled to confidentiality.  When a parent asks for information about their child's record, the information may be given if the child is present and consents.  If the child is not present, a list of materials that are checked out or overdue may be mailed to the child, at the request of the parent. 

When patrons telephone for information about items being held, titles will be given if the caller supplies the appropriate library card barcode number.  Library staff may confirm that reserves are being held for a person who the caller names, but may not reveal the titles unless the caller provides the library card barcode number.  A patron may pick up reserved items for others if he or she presents the other individual's library card (or a signed photocopy of it). 

Registration Policy

In order to borrow materials from the Somerset County Library System, a person must have a valid Somerset County Library card.  Cards may be obtained at any branch of the Somerset County Library System.  With a valid Somerset County Library System card a person may check out materials at any branch of the library system.

Library cards are issued to qualifying individuals - not to companies or organizations.  A person of any age may apply for a library card. 

In order to qualify for a free library card a person must meet one of the following conditions:

• Reside in one of the library system’s member municipalities:  Bound Brook, Branchburg, Bridgewater, Green Brook, Hillsborough, Millstone, Montgomery, North Plainfield, Peapack-Gladstone, Rocky Hill, South Bound Brook, Warren Township or Watchung.
• Own property in a member municipality.
• Be a disabled resident of Somerset County.
• Be a Somerset County Library System employee or retiree.
• Work in one of the member municipalities.
• Work for Somerset County Government.
• Volunteer in a Somerset County Library System facility.
• Serve as a volunteer fireperson, auxiliary police officer, rescue squad member or emergency  medical services member in a member municipality.
• Attend school in a member municipality.
• Be a literacy volunteer/student using a SCLS facility for tutoring.

Anyone not eligible for a Somerset County Library card may purchase a membership for $185.00.  (This fee is reviewed annually and adjusted as necessary to reflect the amount of library tax paid by the owner of an average-priced home in Somerset County.)

Circulation Item Limits 

The Somerset County Library System limits the number of items checked out per patron to 100.  Branches may impose a temporary limit on items in a subject category to meet local needs.            

Circulation Time Limits

Most library material circulations for 28 days.  Exceptions include:

• 7 days – videos and DVDs
• 14 day items – items with more than four reserves, new adult fiction, some new adult nonfiction, children’s holiday books, most audio materials, CD-ROMs, filmstrips and Story Time Theme Kits
• 21 day items – new adult books that are longer than 500 pages, interlibrary loan books

Reference materials generally do not circulate however some branches may allow certain reference materials to circulate overnight or for short periods of time.

Current periodicals do not circulate at most branches.  Back issues of periodicals circulate at all branches.  The circulation time for periodicals and pamphlets is 14 days

Renewals are permitted on materials and equipment except when a reserve has been placed on the item.  There are no renewals on circulating reference books, interlibrary loans or Story Time Theme Kits. 

At the discretion of the individual branches, the due date on an item may be extended to accommodate patrons who will be away.  Due dates will not be extended for items on hold.

Fines 

The Somerset County Library System charges for overdue, lost and damaged items.  When fines exceed an amount defined in library policies patrons may be blocked from borrowing materials.  Patrons are expected to pay for lost or damaged materials.

 Fines are ten cents ($.10) per day with the following exceptions:

• Twenty-five cents ($.25 per day) for Interlibrary Loan books and overnight Reference Materials.
• One dollar ($1.00) per day for video cassettes, DVDs and audiovisual equipment.
• Two dollars ($2.00 per day) for Story time Theme Kits.

Holds and Reserves

Patrons holding a valid Somerset County Library System library card may reserve eligible items through the online catalog, by telephone or in person at a library facility.

Patrons will be notified by an automated phone message when their item(s) is/are available for pick up.  Reserved items must be picked up within 6 business days of their arrival at the branch specified as the pick up location.  After 6 business days the item(s) will be  returned to the collection or passed on to the next person in the hold queue.

 

Somerset County Library System, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
908-526-4016
Last update: 07/07/2010