Caldwell Public Library Information
Caldwell Public Library
268 Bloomfield Ave.
Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
Phone: (973)226-2837
Fax: (973)403-8606
Children’s Room Phone: (973)226-1636
Email Us
Quick Links
Board Meetings – Computer & Internet Policy – Directions – Hours of Operation – Library Holidays – Loans, Renewals & Fines – Local History Room – Membership Information – Pals Plus Library Members – ReBL Information – Township Information – Wireless Access
Mission Statement - “The Caldwell Public Library’s mission is to provide our diverse community with a wide array of literary, cultural, historical, educational and social resources through personal service and innovative programs utilizing a range of learning technologies in a welcoming environment.” - Adopted by Caldwell Public Library Board of Trustees on May 18, 2006
Director and Board
- J. Bestys – term expiring 12/31/13
- N. Caplan (President) – term expiring 12/31/14
- C. Corliss – term expiring 12/31/14
- E. LaChac– term expiring 12/31/14
- Councilman R. Hauser – Council representative – term expiring 12/31/12
- C. Kellenberger – Superintendent of Schools’ representative – term expiring 12/31/13
- R. Jaffe – term expiring 12/31/14
- Vacant
- A. Puccio, Director
From the West - Route 287 north to Route 80 east to Route 280 east to exit 5B (527 north-the Caldwells). Continue on 527 to second traffic light. Turn right onto Eagle Rock Avenue and continue one block. Make left onto Roseland Avenue. Follow Roseland Ave. until it ends at Bloomfield Ave. Turn right onto Bloomfield Ave. The library is on the corner on the right at the next traffic light.
From the South and East - Garden State Parkway to exit 145 to Route 280 west to exit 5B (527-the Caldwells). Follow directions as above.
From the North - Garden State Parkway (southbound) to exit for I-80 (westbound). I-80 west to exit 52 Passaic Avenue/The Caldwells. Turn right at exit onto Passaic Avenue. Stay on Passaic Avenue for approximately 10 traffic lights to Bloomfield Avenue. Make a left onto Bloomfield Avenue. Take Bloomfield down for 7 lights.
Parking - Available behind the library, or on the lower tier of the parking deck (entrance to the parking deck is located on Roseland Avenue just west of the library). The upper level to the parking deck is accessible from Provost Square, just east of the library.
Hours of Operation
Monday & Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. – The library is closed on Saturdays during July and August
Library Holidays
Tuesday, January 1, 2013- New Years Day
Monday, January 21, 2013 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, February 18, 2013 – Presidents Day
Friday, March 29, 2013 – Good Friday
Monday, May 27, 2013 – Memorial Day
Thursday, July 4, 2013 – Independence Day
Monday, September 2, 2013 – Labor Day
Thursday, November 28, 2013 – Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 29, 2013 – Day after Thanksgiving
Wednesday, December 25, 2013 – Christmas Day
- Designated as Official Holidays in Year 2012 by the Borough Council of the Borough of Caldwell, NJ on January 1, 2012.
Board Meetings
- Thursday, January 24, 2013
- Thursday, February 28, 2013
- Thursday, March 28, 2013
- Thursday, April 25, 2013
- Thursday, May 23, 2013
- Thursday, June 28, 2013
- Thursday, July 25, 2013
- Thursday, September 26, 2013
- Thursday, October 24, 2013
- Thursday, December 5, 2013 (combining November and December Board Meetings)
All meetings are Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and are held in the Conference Room of the Caldwell Public Library. These meetings are open to the public.
Membership Information - The resources of the Caldwell Public Library are available to the general public. However, only registered patrons may borrow library materials.
People living in or owning property in Caldwell may borrow materials from the Caldwell Public Library and with a PALS Plus library card receive the extended borrowing privileges associated with the seventeen PALS Plus member libraries. (For a list of these libraries, go to: http://www.palsplus.org/Pals_plus.html) For Caldwell residents, the new card identifies them as a Caldwell Public Library user, permits them to place requests and access databases from home
computers and recognizes the Caldwell Public Library as a member of PALS Plus. A card is valid for one (1) year from the date of registration for Caldwell residents and must be renewed with acceptable identification.
North Caldwell and Essex Fells residents may borrow materials from the Caldwell Public Library upon payment of an annual fee. The library card is valid for one (1) year from the date of registration for North Caldwell residents.
Children, kindergarten age and older and young adults are eligible for a library card. For children less than 18 years of age, the youth’s parent/guardian must provide proof of identification. The parent/guardian must sign the child’s registration card. Potential patrons must present personal identification with proof of current address to obtain a library card.
Acceptable identification includes any one of the following
- Current New Jersey Driver’s License
- Picture identification card with name, current address and signature
- Dwelling lease less than one year old
- Checkbook with address
- Automobile registration
- Recently postmarked mail that is not hand-addressed.
Unacceptable forms of identification include:
- ID with post office box as address
- Social Security card
- Expired driver’s or out-of-state driver’s license.
- In most cases, out of town students attending private schools within Caldwell will be permitted to use the Caldwell Public Library via one of the existing boworrowing agreements. Please see library personnel for additional information.
Loans, Renewals, Fines and Fees
- Books (including new books), videos, musical CDs, audio books (including new audio books and books on CD), juvenile kits, magazines, and puzzles – 21 days.
- DVDs – 7 days.
- Reference materials – do not circulate.
- Interlibrary loan material – due on the date indicated by the lending library
Videos and DVDs can only be borrowed by valid card holders 18 years of age or older.
Patrons may request a vacation loan for up to one month.
“New” books, audio books (including books on CD) and DVDs will be “new” for the first three months in the library’s collection.
Renewals
1. The following items may be renewed two times provided there are
no reserves on them: books, audio books (including books on CD)
juvenile kits, magazines and puzzles.
2. The following items may be renewed once provided there are no
reserves on them: new books, new audio books (including books on
CD), all DVDs, videos and music audio materials.
3. Patrons wishing to renew an item received via interlibrary loan
should contact the Circulation Department Staff to determine if that
is possible. The lending library makes that determination, not the
Caldwell Public Library.
4. Renewals can be made in person, via telephone by talking to the
Circulation Department staff, or via the Internet by accessing
www.caldwellpl.org, library catalog, my account, then “renew my
materials”.
Returned books may be placed in the book drop located outside the front of the library building. Returned audio books and videos may be placed in the media drop located next to the book drop. DVDs and compact disks should not be placed in the book or media drop, but returned to the front desk. A fee will be assessed if DVDs or compact discs are placed in the media or book drop.
Fine Schedule - Books, audiobooks, compact discs, videos, magazines, puzzles and juvenile kits – $0.10 per day per item*
DVDs -$1.00 per day per item*
Maximum fine per item is $5.00 for books, audio tapes, videos, compact discs, magazines, puzzles and juvenile kits; and $10.00 for DVDs.
Fee Schedule
Computer flash drive – $5.00
Replacement card – $5.00
Nonresident card – $100.00 per year (family membership)
Photocopies (black and white) – $0.10 per page
Printing from computers (black and white) – $0.10 per page
Printing from computers (color) – $0.40 per page
DVD or compact disc left in book/media drop – $1.00 per item
Lost disc notes – $5.00 per set of disc notes
Replacement fees -Replacement fees for lost or irreparably damaged materials will be based on the current list price plus a $2.00 processing fee.
Outstanding Fee Threshold for Suspension of Borrowing Privileges:
Borrowing privileges will be suspended (“blocked”) if a patron has $5.00 or more in outstanding fines or fees at any library or combination of libraries in the PALS Plus consortium OR if a patron has five (5) items overdue. Privileges will be restored when outstanding charges are brought below this figure and overdue items are returned.
Refunds - If the lost item is returned within two (2) months after being paid for, the patron will be refunded the cost of the item less a fine of $5.00. The decision to refund payment will be made at the discretion of the Director.
PalsPlus Library Members
Bloomingdale Free Public Library
Caldwell Public Library
Cedar Grove Free Public Library
Clifton Public Library
Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Library (Totowa)
Fairfield Public Library
Haledon Public Library
Little Falls Public Library
North Haledon Free Public Library
Passaic County Community College
Paterson Public Library
Pompton Lakes Public Library
Ringwood Public Library
Wanaque Public Library
Wayne Public Library
West Milford Township Library
West Paterson Free Public Library
Computer and Internet Access Policy - The Caldwell Public Library provides computers, printers and a variety of software applications for use by library patrons. Computers are located in the main section of the library by the main circulation desk. These computers are designated for use by patrons 18 years of age and older. Computers located in the children’s area are designated for use by patrons under the age of 18.
Children under 18 must have parental consent to use the computers. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times while using the computers.
Computer access for patrons is performed by using a library card and PIN. Individuals who do not possess a valid Caldwell Public Library card must request a guest pass and agree to the “Computer Use Policy” form.
Printing is available from all workstations at a charge. All printing is done through the Envisionware workstation. Patrons can purchase flash drives for use on the computers at the front desk.
The library does not provide instruction on the use of software or computers, including Internet access. Computer users are expected to be familiar with software applications.
Staff members cannot provide individual attention.
Patrons are allowed three hours of computer use a day.
Computers are not to be turned on or shut down by patrons.
Restriction of a child’s access to the Internet and all computer-related activities is the responsibility of the child’s parent/guardian. The library provides full Internet access and does not limit or filter out information. Parents are ultimately responsible for children’s access on Internet stations (some content is of a mature nature). Unattended children are responsible for their actions in the library.
Parents/Guardians will be held responsible if the child violates the computer policy.
The library does not monitor, nor does it have control over, the information found through the Internet and is not responsible for its content, timeliness, or accuracy.
Neither the Caldwell Public Library Board of Trustees, nor the library staff, nor the Borough of Caldwell is liable for any negative consequences that may occur as a result of using the library’s Internet access. The library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s disk or personal computer, or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the library’s computers or computer software.
Viewing of certain materials in the public library may be considered improper in time, place or manner. The library staff reserves the right to end any Internet session deemed by the staff as inappropriate within the public environment.
Wireless Access - Patrons are permitted to use wireless devices in the library; however printing services are not available for wireless users. In addition, all library internet and computer policies apply to wireless users.
Township Information - The Caldwell Public Library is located in Caldwell, New Jersey, which is part of Essex County, New Jersey. The township’s website is: http://www.caldwell-nj.com/. Information regarding municipal officials, the Mayor and Council, local organizations, composition of Boards, FAQs, information regarding the Caldwell Community Center, and much more, can be found at this site.
ReBL Information - “ReBL” is an acronym for Reciprocal Borrowing and Lending. With a ReBL card, patrons can borrow materials from any of Essex County’s 24 participating libraries. Participating libraries, as of January 1, 2010, include: Belleville Public Library, Caldwell College Library, Caldwell Public Library, Cedar Grove Public Library, East Orange Public Library, Essex County College Library, Fairfield Public Library, Glen Ridge Public Library, Irvington Public Library, Livingston Public Library, Maplewood Memorial Library, Montclair Public Library, Newark Public Library, Orange Public Library, Roseland Public Library, Rutgers-Newark – Dana Library, Seton Hall University Library, South Orange Public Library, Verona Public Library and the West Orange Public Library.
ReBL cards are available to resident Caldwell Library members free of charge. ReBL cards are valid for one calendar year and must be renewed annually.
Local History Room - The purpose of the local history room housed at the Caldwell Public Library is to:
- Collect documentary materials relevant to the history of the Caldwells and what used to be the “Horseneck” area of Essex County to be used for research, education and exhibition
- Develop a list of community resources (including but not limited to, area churches, the Grover Cleveland Birthplace and the Historical Society of West Caldwell) so as to share information regarding the holdings of all area institutions
- Actively solicit relevant contributions to the local history room. Organize, preserve, and maintain materials for maximum accessibility.
At the present time, the local history room of the Caldwell Public Library contains a variety of library and archival materials, including books, pamphlets, maps, artifacts and microfilm of the local newspaper The Caldwell Progress. Most of the items are related directly to the history of the Caldwells.
Visitors to the local history room must comply with all Library rules, written or otherwise. Local history room materials do not circulate and researchers are supervised at all times. To access materials in the local history room, including microfilms, patrons must make an appointment. Unprocessed materials are not available for research. Undirected/casual surveys of local history room materials are not permitted.
