Caldwell Public Library

J. Bestys - term expiring 12/31/13

N. Caplan (Secretary) – term expiring 12/31/14

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 residents can 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.

An inter-local agreement between the towns of Caldwell and Essex Fells enables Essex Fells residents to borrow materials from the Caldwell Public Library.  For Essex Fells residents, the library card is valid through the end of the calendar year of registration.

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

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:

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:

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)
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

For specific information, such as addresses, telephone numbers and directions to each library, please go to:  http://www.palsplus.org/Pals_plus.html

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 sign in sheets are located at the circulation desks both upstairs and in the children’s area.  Patrons are to sign the sheet, before and after use, noting their name, and the date and time of computer use.  Individuals who do not possess a valid Caldwell Public Library card must sign the “Computer Use Policy” form.

Printing is available from all workstations at a charge.  Patrons requiring color prints must ask for assistance. Print-outs are picked up and paid for at the circulation desk.  Patrons can purchase computer disks 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 20 minutes of computer use within a two-hour period. When computers are available, that policy may be relaxed at the discretion of library personnel.

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, Bloomfield College 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 West Caldwell Historical Association) 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.

As of February