Eligibility
Residents of the Township of Saddle Brook are eligible for a Saddle Brook Free Public Library card.
Proof of Eligibility
Applicants must present proof of residency to obtain a card. The library accepts the following proofs of residence, a current New Jersey driver’s license or non-driver’s state ID or two of the following which list the applicant’s name, mortgage statement, lease or deed, utility (water, PSE&G) bill, or telephone bill. A local street address is required. Items listed which list a P.O. Box or commercial box number will not be accepted as proofs of residence.
Youth Cards
Children who are five (5) and older are eligible for their own Saddle Brook Free Public Library card. Children under the age of 18, who are seeking to obtain a library card, must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Their parent or legal guardian must sign the library application card and present proof of residence (see above for accepted proofs of residence) to obtain a card on behalf of a minor child. The parent’s or guardian’s signature on the card acknowledges acceptance of financial responsibility for all materials charged to the card.
Cardholders who are under the age of 18 may check out all library materials, in accordance with the Library’s current lending policies, with the exception of DVDs/Blu-Rays rated R, Video Games rated M for Mature, and Mobile Hotspots.
The Library believes that the responsibility of otherwise monitoring the materials which our young patrons borrow from the Library is the exclusive right and responsibility of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The Library will not attempt to otherwise restrict our young patrons borrowing.
Expiration
Cards expire after three (3) years and must be renewed. Proof of residence must be presented to renew card.
Courtesy Cards
Any person who works in Saddle Brook and resides in a municipality which does not belong to BCCLS is eligible for a Saddle Brook Free Public Library courtesy card. To obtain a courtesy card a person must present a letter from their employer on business stationary which includes the employer’s name, address and phone number and states that the individual is employed by the Saddle Brook employer. Courtesy cards are valid for one (1) year. Renewal of a courtesy card requires a letter meeting the above requirements which states the individual is still employed by the Saddle Brook employer. Courtesy cards may only be used at the Saddle Brook Free Public Library. Courtesy cards are not presented to the cardholder but are instead held at the library for the holders use. Courtesy card holders may not use their card to request items from other BCCLS libraries or to access to eAudiobook or eBook holdings, such as OverDrive or other similar services.
Responsibilities of the Cardholder
Cardholders are responsible for all items charged to the card. Unreturned, unpaid items will result in the card being blocked.
Cardholders should report change of name, address information, or other pertinent information promptly.
Lost Cards
Lost cards may be replaced for a fee of $3.00. Cardholders who have lost their cards but whose records are no longer in the BCCLS system will not be charged a replacement fee. Any existing fines or fees must be paid before replacement card is issued.
Blocked Cards
Library cards are blocked when the card expires, when the cardholder has accrued $10.00 or more in fines or other fees, or if the card shows more than 10 overdue items.
| ITEM TYPE | LOAN PERIOD |
|---|---|
| One-day DVDs & Blu-Rays | 1 day |
| DVDs, Blu-Rays, VHS | 1 week |
| CDs | 1 week |
| Video Games | 1 week |
| Magazines | 1 week |
| Mobile Hotspots | 2 weeks |
| New Books | 2 weeks |
| Juvenile Holiday Books | 2 weeks |
| All other materials | 3 weeks |
- One-day DVDs & Blu-Rays
- Mobile Hotspots
- New Books
- Juvenile Holiday Books
- Items on hold for another patron
Fines for Late Returns
The Library accepts cash only for fees (fines or otherwise) which total less than $20.00. Totals exceeding $20.00 are payable by check or money order. The Library does not accept credit cards.
| ITEM TYPE | Fine |
|---|---|
| Mobile Hot-Spots | $10.00 per day |
| DVDS, Blu-Rays, VHS, Video Games | $0.50 per day |
| All Other Materials | $0.10 per day |
Maximum fine per item excluding Mobile Hotspots: $5.00
Maximum fine for Mobile Hotspots: $20.00
*Please note: These rates apply only to Saddle Brook materials. Patrons who return other BCCLS libraries materials late will be charged in accordance with the lending library’s policy.
Items 45 days or more overdue will be considered long overdue. One (1) or more long overdue items will block a cardholder’s account. Items 60 days or more overdue will be changed from long overdue to lost. Cardholders will be charged for the cost of the lost item(s) and the amount owed will appear on the cardholder’s record until such time as the bill is paid.
No refunds on replacement cost payments are required 30 days after the lost bill has been printed (90 days after the due date).
Return of the item will NOT be accepted later than (30) thirty days after the date of the (60) sixty-day bill (90 days after the due date). However, as a courtesy, after 90 days, the Saddle Brook Library will accept, from our own cardholders, the lost material in lieu of payment, provided the lost material belongs to the Saddle Brook Library.
Cardholders may also obtain materials from libraries throughout the country via JerseyCat, a service offered by the State Library. JerseyCat requests must be made in-person at the Library.
Library sponsored programs and the needs of official Township boards or groups will take precedence in scheduling. No use of the conference room will be permitted if it would interfere with the effective use of the Library by the general public or with the scheduling of library sponsored programs. The conference room is only available for use during the Library’s regularly scheduled business hours.
Download Complete Confrence Room Policy Form and Application
