Library Policies

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The Library Board of Trustees has established
the following policies for library use:

Library Membership | Circulation Policy  | Other Services and Fees

Meeting Room Policy and Regulations | Fundraising Policy | Internet Access Policy

Library Membership

All residents of Dunellen may obtain a library card upon proof of residency.  Children below the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at registration.

Non-resident patrons who are employed in Dunellen may apply for a library card.  They must show proof of Dunellen employment.  Non-resident students may be issued a card for the period the student will be attending school in Dunellen.  These students must be accompanied by an adult at registration.

The Dunellen Library has reciprocal borrowing and lending agreements with many libraries in Middlesex, Union, Essex, Hudson and Somerset Counties.  Residents of communities with whom Dunellen Library has borrowing agreements may use the Dunellen Library provided they have a valid and current library card from their home library.

Non-residents of communities which do not have borrowing agreements with Dunellen Library may purchase “out-of-town” cards for $10.00 per year.  This out-of-town card entitles the holder to full borrowing privileges.  This card is unique to the purchaser and cannot be used to borrow items by any other person.

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Circulation Policy

Borrowing:

All library materials, except DVDs and computer games, may be borrowed free of charge for the durations listed above.  Late fees  for overdue items are charged for every day of the week except when the library is closed.  The maximum fee for a lost item is the replacement cost of the item in today’s market (not the original cost of the item), plus $5.00 for processing.

If overdue items are not returned, and attempts to retrieve the items are ignored, the Library may prosecute the violator under appropriate Borough ordinances.

Returns:

All items may be returned at any time to the outdoor book drop.  We request that breakable items such as videos, DVDs, compact discs, and audio tapes be safely packaged in bubble wrap that is available at the Circulation Desk.

Renewals:

Most items may be renewed as long as no other patron has requested the item.

There is a limit of one (1) renewal per item per person.

Books on hold for other patrons cannot be renewed.

Though DVDs and video games can be renewed, you must pay the rental fee for the new loan period.  These items are not renewable over the phone. 

Please be advised that the loan period for renewed items begins at the time of renewal NOT from the original due date.  Materials excluding those with a rental fee may be renewed by phone during regular library hours, up to fifteen minutes before closing time.

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Other Services and Fees

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Meeting Room Policy and Regulations

Policy:

The Meeting Room may be used by local area groups holding meetings of a cultural, educational, or civic nature.  It may not be used for the benefit of private individuals, for money raising, or for groups whose ultimate purpose is commercial.  All requests are subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees; however, the Director may approve any application of a routine nature.  The use of the Meeting Room for library purposes shall at all times have priority over all other uses by others.  The Library assumes no liability or responsibility for any accident or loss of personal  property that might occur as a result of the use of the Meeting Room by any group.  All groups agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Library in the event of any damage, intentional or negligent, caused by the group to Library property or personnel.

For the purposes of these regulations, groups are defined as any number of people including a single person. This Meeting Room Policy is to be read in conjunction with the section on Fundraising Policy and is subject to that Section.

Regulations:

	Application for use of the Meeting Room must be made in writing and must be approved by the Director.  Application blanks may be obtained in person from the Director at the Library and should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the date requested.
	The Meeting Room is to be used for the purpose announced or intended.  Any change of plan or topic must be approved by the Library Director.
	When the Meeting Room is to be used by minors, the application must be made by an adult who will be present and responsible for the conduct of the meeting and the use of the room.
	No admission fee may be charged.  Exceptions may be made for educational courses, workshops, institutes, cultural events, and nonprofit ventures in the public interest.
	Modest refreshments, such as cookies and beverages, may be served by prior arrangement and special approval.  The organization using the room must furnish its own cups, plates, and silverware and leave the Meeting Room in clean condition and in good order.  Library kitchen facilities will not be available to groups using the Meeting Room.
	No smoking is permitted anywhere in the building. “No smoking” signs are posted.
	No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the building unless approved by the Board of Trustees.
	Organizations presenting audio-visual programming must provide their own equipment.  No library equipment will be available to groups using the Meeting Room.
	No materials may be hung with nails, thumbtacks, tape or anything that will deface the walls.
	Music may be permitted if it does not interfere with the work of the Library.
	Attendance will be restricted to fifty people as set by the Dunellen Fire Department.
	No fee will be charged to any group to use the Meeting Room; however, gifts to the Library for use of the Meeting Room will be gratefully accepted.
	In order to make the Meeting Room available to as many local groups as is possible, individual groups may apply to use the Meeting Room for a frequency no greater than twice per year.
	The Meeting Room is available during normal Library hours.  No group may stay after Library closing times.

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Fundraising Policy

In order to raise funds to supplement library revenues, the Dunellen Public Library will permit for-profit and not-for-profit groups to conduct programs in the library whose announced purpose is to raise funds for the library.  All such programs are subject to the following conditions:

	A minimum of 10% of the gross sales generated from the fundraising program must be donated to the Dunellen Public Library, either in cash or in materials appropriate to the library’s collections;
	The fundraising program must reflect the educational and cultural mission of the Dunellen Public Library;
	No fundraising program will be permitted that is deemed to be inimical to the goals of the Dunellen Public Library or the interests of the residents of Dunellen;
	All fundraising programs are subject to the Meeting Room Policy noted above.
	And, the Dunellen Public Library Board of Trustees reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to waive any provision contained herein, and to modify or revoke any permission for use previously granted by the Director or his representative.

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Internet Access Policy

 

	The Dunellen Public Library strives to be a gateway to the global network of recorded thought and information.  We are committed to providing superior services to all segments of our community, and employing state-of-the art technology to improve access to global resources.
	The Dunellen Public Library is pleased to offer our patrons access to the wealth of information available through the Internet.  The library does not offer Internet services such as news groups, inter-relay chat, or electronic mail.
	The Dunellen Public Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy or authenticity of information found via the Internet.  It is left to each user to decide what information is appropriate.  Library personnel do not monitor or supervise Internet access, except regarding time of use.  However, viewing of certain materials in the library may be considered improper in time, place, or manner.  The Library reserves the right to end an Internet session.  Parents or guardians of minors (children below the age of eighteen years) using the Internet, not the Library staff, are responsible for providing guidance to the children under their care.  We advise parental supervision of children using the Internet.
	Adult users have the right of confidentiality in all their activities with resources and services provided by the Dunellen Public Library.  The Library supports the users' rights to privacy; however, we advise users that because security is technically difficult to achieve, electronic communications and files can become public.  Software and information downloaded from any source, including the Internet, may contain computer viruses.  The library is not responsible for damage to a user's disc or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from the use of the library's computers.
	Any patron may use the Internet workstation for an unlimited amount of time if no other patrons are waiting to use it.  If another patron is waiting, a time limit of twenty minutes for the first patron will commence after the second patron has notified the reference librarian or circulation desk personnel of his or her wish to use the workstation.  The workstation may be reserved in advance for one thirty-minute session per day.  Patrons can reserve the workstation through the reference librarian or circulation desk.  There is a mandatory printing charge of 15 cents per black and white page and 25 cents per color page.  The public printer is located at the circulation desk, and copies must be picked up and paid for there.
	When appropriate, the Reference Department staff will conduct free Internet searches for a patron.

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