General Policies

 

 

The Cliffside Park Public Library upholds the American Library Association's Freedom to Read statement, and The Library Bill of Rights.

 

A valid library card must be presented at the circulation desk in order to charge out, pick up or renew library materials.

 

Residents of Cliffside Park may apply for a free library card. Proof of residency must be shown upon application. Two forms of identification must be presented, such as:

 

1.      a valid New Jersey driver's license or identification card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles

2.      a current motor vehicle registration/insurance card with current address in our town

3.      a current tax receipt

4.      a mortgage or lease agreement

5.      a current utility (PSE&G/Telephone) bill

Lost library cards will be replaced upon a $2.00 fee, and provision of one of the above forms of identification.

 

Children, Kindergarten and up, may be issued a library card under the authority of their parent or guardian, who must present valid identification and co-sign the child's application. The parent/guardian is ultimately responsible for the return of all library materials charged to the child's card, and for all the fines and replacement costs incurred by the child.

 

 

Non-resident courtesy cards

 

Anyone who works in Cliffside Park and does not live in a town affiliated with the Bergen County Cooperative Library System is eligible for a courtesy card, good for one year for Cliffside Park Public Library only. A letter from the employer in our town must be provided, and I.D. with home address must also be shown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOAN PERIODS AND OVERDUE FINES

 

 

MATERIAL

LOAN PERIOD

FINE PER DAY

NEW ADULT BOOK

2 WEEKS

15 CENTS

ALL OTHER BOOKS

4 WEEKS

15 CENTS

MAGAZINE

7 DAYS

15 CENTS

COMPACT DISCS

2 WEEKS

15 CENTS

BOOK ON TAPE/CD

2 WEEKS

15 CENTS

VIDEO/DVD

2 WORKING DAYS

$1.00/PER DAY


CHILDREN'S MATERIALS

 

JUVENILE FICTION

4 WEEKS

15 CENTS

JUVENILE NON-FICTION

2 WEEKS

15 CENTS

JUVENILE VIDEOS

7 DAYS

15 CENTS

JUVENILE CD MUSIC/CD-ROM

2 WEEKS

15 CENTS

JUVENILE DVDS

2 WORKING DAYS

$1.00/PER DAY

 

 

Patrons may request to be on a reserve list for a title; when the title is in the library a staff member will inform the patron, who has to pick up the item in 48 hours.

Over the phone renewals are acceptable, with the exception of videos, DVD's, and bestseller books on reserve lists. Your cooperation on this matter is appreciated.

 

 

Reciprocal Borrowing and Interlibrary Loan

 

The Cliffside Park Public Library is a member of Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), which enables Cliffside Park residents to have access to resources in all the libraries affiliated with the consortium. BCCLS shares a computer network, a common library catalog, and access to various databases. Any Cliffside Park resident with a valid and in good standing library card can borrow materials from any BCCLS library direct or through our library.

The library may request items from college and university libraries through a national interlibrary loan system by filling a request form in the library; detailed bibliographic information must be provided for such requests.

 

 

 

Internet Policy

 

The Internet is available on 10 of our computers on a first come first serve basis. On a courtesy system patrons are asked to mark their start time for statistical purposes. Users may access the Internet for an hour at a time. Consideration for the next Internet user must be applied. Patrons using the Internet to play games may be asked by library staff to end their session if another person needs to conduct research and no other computer is available. The search of information and materials takes precedence over all other activities.

 

DISCLAIMER

 

Library patrons should be aware that the Internet is an unregulated medium, the content may be inaccurate, biased, or offensive. The library is not responsible for the content found on the Internet. BCCLS and the Cliffside Park Free Public Library homepage include recommended link sites appropriate for adults, teens, and children. Security in the electronic equipment cannot be guaranteed and therefore transactions, files, and communications are open to unauthorized view and should be considered public. The library will not be responsible for direct or indirect damages related to use of information found throughout the Internet services, nor of damages to the e-mail files, word files, etc. Patrons are prohibited from modifying any computer settings even for temporary use.

The use of the Internet on library computers to conduct commercial or business enterprises is not permitted. Sending of threatening, harassing, offensive messages or images via the Internet or deliberately transmitting computer viruses is a crime. Patrons who engage in such activities will be reported to the proper authorities. Failure to comply with the library policies may result in suspension of library privileges.

 

Patrons are encouraged to bring formatted floppy disks for information or typing.

 

Parents or guardians should be aware of the responsibilities for their children to access the Internet. Families are encouraged to discuss guidelines and limitations of Internet use, and to understand their rights to direct and/or oversee their children's Internet access.

The library staff cannot be responsible for screening what is acceptable to children.

 

The Library maintains no record of individuals using the Internet. Consistent with the professional principles of public librarianship the our Internet policy affirms the safeguarding of First Amendment rights, intellectual freedom, equity of access, confidentiality of information about users and their use of all library resources, including electronic information.

The Internet computers are located in a public space and patrons of all ages can easily see the screens. If a patrons expresses concern or if the staff member judges the material inappropriate for public viewing the library administration reserves the right to request a patron to exit the offensive website.