Library Policies

All members of the public are welcome at the Old Bridge Public Library. We expect all Library staff to treat customers of the Library with courtesy. In turn, we expect Library customers to behave in the Library with dignity and in such a way that they do not interfere with the functions of the Library or with the convenience and comfort of other patrons. While in the Library:

All persons shall respect the rights of others and shall not harass, annoy, or interfere with any other person by means of physical contact, communication or other intrusive behavior. No one shall interfere with Library personnel in the performance of their duties.  
Conversations shall be conducted quietly and, if possible, outside of quiet study areas. Shouting, loud voices and abusive language are not acceptable behavior.
Ringing cell phones are disruptive. The Library requires that cell phones be turned off or set to “manner mode” while in the Library. While conversing on cell phones, customers must speak quietly and with discretion.  
Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere in the Library building.  
Nonalcoholic beverages in covered containers are permitted only in some areas of the Library. Food and drink are not allowed in computer areas or on computer tables and stands.  
Consumption of snack food is allowed in all areas of the Library except for the computer areas. It is expected that customers will dispose of litter and debris in trash containers and leave table tops and chairs clean.  
Meals may not be eaten in the Library. The delivery of food to the Library is not allowed and will not be accepted.  
Animals, except for service animals as defined in the Americans With Disabilities Act, are not permitted except in connection with Library programs.  
No one may deface, destroy, steal or misuse any Library materials, furnishings, equipment or other Library property. Library restrooms shall not be used as a laundry or for personal bathing.
The use of alcohol or any drug constituting a controlled, dangerous substance as defined by New Jersey Law is not permitted. No one under the influence of alcohol or such drugs shall be permitted into the Library.  
Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Improper attire, including bare feet or chests, is not permitted in the Library. Library staff shall have the discretion to determine whether any person is improperly attired.  
Personal use of audio, visual or electronic equipment must not disturb others.  
No person shall possess or carry any weapons into the Library unless authorized to do so by law. Any person authorized to carry weapons must notify Library staff that they are in possession of a weapon in the library.  
Personal belongings are subject to inspection by Library personnel.  
Personal belongings are not to be left unattended for more than 30 minutes.  
Running, rollerblading, skateboarding and similar activities are not permitted in the Library or on Library grounds.  
Bicycles must be parked outside of the building and cannot be brought inside.  
No sales or solicitations of contributions or signatures by any outside organization or individual is permitted in the Library facility or on its grounds.
All persons must leave the Library premises by closing time, when evacuation of the building is necessary or at any time when requested to do so by Library personnel.  
Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children while the children are in the Library. Library staff will notify the parent or guardian of any child who is not behaving in accordance with this “Acceptable Library Behavior Policy.” If it is not possible to contact a parent or guardian, the police may be notified.
The Library is not responsible for the safety of any child in the Library.
No child under eight (8) years of age shall be left without adult supervision for any reason in any part of the Library.  
Librarians will attempt to locate the parents of children left unattended in the Library. In the event a parent or caregiver cannot be located, the police will be notified and asked to supervise the child until the parents or caregiver can be located.
Anyone who fails to meet these standards of acceptable behavior or any other Library policy may be required to leave the premises. If unacceptable behavior occurs again, the individual may be denied the privilege of Library use for a set period of time or indefinitely.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees: 09/08/99;  Amended: 03/10/2010

Part I. REGISTRATION GUIDELINES

Every person wishing to borrow materials from the Library must have a valid library card from Old Bridge Public Library or from a library within the LMxAC consortium. To register for an Old Bridge Public Library card, forms may be submitted in person, or downloaded from the Library’s web site and emailed or faxed.

Virtual users will be issued a temporary library card number accessible for a period of two weeks. Customers must visit the library in person to complete their registration and receive a library card.

Identification is required for all adult customers (ages seventeen and older) before a card will be issued. A photo ID and proof of residency must be presented to apply for a library card. Valid forms of ID include but are not limited to; a driver’s license, school ID card, utility bill or military ID card. Identification must include the permanent street address; a post office box is not sufficient.

Applicants who do not have proof of address may apply for a Library Card and check out a maximum of two (2) items at the time of application. The Library Card will be held at the library for a two week grace period, during which time the applicant is expected to present the proper identification required to obtain a library card.

Part II. TYPES OF LIBRARY CARDS

A. Old Bridge Public Library

An individual residing, owning property and/or a business in Old Bridge Township is eligible for a three-year library card. Proof of identity and current address are required.

An individual working or going to school in Old Bridge Township is eligible for a one-year library card. Proof of employment or enrollment in school in addition to proof of identity and current address are required.

Old Bridge Township businesses and institutions such as nursing homes, day care centers, etc., may apply for a one-year library card to be held at the library for use by staff, provided the Director or Executive in charge of the facility applies for the library card.

B. Out of Town Resident Library Card

Out of Town Resident Library Cards may be purchased for a fee in lieu of tax dollars paid by the residents of Old Bridge. The annual fee for an Out of Town Resident Library Card is $75.00. The annual fee provides a library card for each member of the household. Residents of other towns with LMxAC consortium libraries are not eligible for Out of Town Resident Library Cards.

C. Digital Resources Only Card

Digital Resources Only cards may be purchased for a fee in lieu of tax dollars paid by residents of Old Bridge. The annual fee for a Digital Resources Only Library card is $75.00. The card is only for the use of digital resources funded specifically by the Old Bridge Public Library. It does not allow access to shared LMxAC digital resources such as Hoopla, Zinio or eLibraryNJ. The card allows access for the purchaser only.

Part III. CONFIDENTIALITY OF CUSTOMER RECORDS

The Board of Trustees of the Old Bridge Public Library (“OBPL”) support the basic premise that every individual has the right to read what he or she wishes without fear of censure or legal consequences. It also affirms the right of every person to privacy. OBPL will protect each user’s right to confidentiality with respect to all information required for registration, information sought or received, and, materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired.

Such records will not be made available to any individual, organization or government agency, except pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:73-43.2 which provides:

Library records which contain the names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of libraries are confidential and shall not be disclosed except in the following circumstances:

The records are necessary for the proper operation of the library;
Disclosure is requested by the user; or
Disclosure is required pursuant to a subpoena issued by a court or court order.

L.1985, c.172, 2, eff. May 31, 1985

Exceptions to this policy are also contained within the US Patriot Act, adopted by Congress on October 26, 2001. This Act enlarges the ability of the FBI and law enforcement officers to request court orders, including search warrants and court-ordered subpoenas.

Examples of when records may be disclosed for proper operation of the Library include, but are not limited to: correspondence with a collection agency to retrieve overdue materials or fines, discussions concerning borrowing and overdue status with other libraries the patron may be using, and inter-library loan requests. Also, registration information may be used in cases of theft or vandalism, if there is a need to contact parents of school-aged patrons, or in circumstances of illegal use of OBPL’s computer resources.

Any questions or problems relating to the confidentiality of Library records that are not covered by this policy (or other policies referred to above) should be referred to the Library Director. As necessary, these questions will be discussed with the Library Board of Trustees and the Library’s attorney.

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit the public’s right to access under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 et seq.

Part IV. STANDARD LOAN RULES

Overview

Customers are responsible for materials checked out on their Library Card. The Library restricts the use of a Library Card to only the person to whom the Library Card is issued. If a card account is blocked, the blocked card holder may not use the card of another household member to check out Library materials. Identification may be requested to verify Library Card ownership.

Customers must have their Library Card number with them at the time they check out or renew materials either in the Library, by telephone, or electronically. The Library bar-code number and the customer’s PIN number are the means by which customers are identified in Library records. Identification may be requested to verify Library Card ownership

Parents/Guardians

The signature of a parent or guardian on the Library Card Registration form acknowledges responsibility for library materials checked out to a child. It is the policy of the Library not to act in loco parentis in keeping with the principles of equal access to information and materials for all customers. Therefore, the Library will not restrict any customers, including children, from access to any type or class of materials nor from any information in the Library with the exception of materials cataloged as Adult Feature movies or rated “M” video games. Launchpads, Mobile Hot Spots and Nooks may not be checked out on a juvenile or young adult card.

If a parent or guardian does not wish his child to have access to particular materials, the restrictions will need to be discussed and implemented with the child in the context of the parent-child relationship.

Due Dates

Materials borrowed from the Library are subject to a due date and the customer is expected to respect that date. A late fine will be imposed if materials are returned after the due date.

Types of Materials

Reference Materials: Reference Materials are materials which are in such high demand or of such high value that they may not be borrowed from the Library.

Circulating Materials: The following types of materials may be borrowed from the library per the listed loan period, renewal parameters, and fine structure.

Most Library materials may be renewed per the chart below. Some materials, depending on the format, size of the collection or other variables may not be eligible for renewal.

Customers in good standing may renew items in person in the Library, by telephone or electronically.

Items with customer holds/requests may not be renewed.

Materials are available to be renewed per the chart below, provided there are no holds/requests for them.

Type of Material Per Day	Loan Period	Renewals	Late Fee / Day	Max Fine
Audio Books	14 days	2	$0.10	$5.00
Books*	21 days	2	$0.10	$5.00
Inter-Library Loan Materials	14 days**	0	$0.10	$5.00
Launchpads*****	Please see Borrowing Agreement.
Magazines***	21 days	2	$0.10	$5.00
Movies – Feature (limit of 5 feature films checked out per cardholder at a time)	7 days	0	$1.00	$10.00
Movies – Instructional	14 days	2	$1.00	$10.00
Museum Passes****	Please see special instructions
Music CDs	14 days	2	$0.10	$5.00
New Books*	14 days	2	$0.20	$5.00
Nooks*****	Please see Borrowing Agreement.
Video Games ($1 to borrow)	7 days	0	$1.00	$10.00

* A New Book is one which has been placed in the Library’s collection within the past six (6) months or deemed to have significant demand.

** Inter-library loan materials loan periods may vary, according to lending library

***Current issues of periodicals or magazines are considered Reference Materials and may not be checked out. Once a periodical or magazine is no longer current, it may be checked out.

****Museum passes are subject to availability. Please check with library for current offers, rules, and restrictions on our Museum Pass Program.

***** Nooks and Launchpads are available per our Book a Nook and Launchpad programs. Please check for the most up-to-date borrowing guidelines.

Part V. Books By Mail Program

The Library’s Books By Mail program is designed to provide books to those Old Bridge cardholders who have a permanent or temporary disability which prevents them from coming to the Library to obtain materials. An application signed by a physician, nurse, social worker, or nursing facility director must be returned to the Library which verifies the disability and the fact that the cardholder is not able to travel to the Library.

The Library will pay for postage to send up to three books to and from patrons. If funding changes, postage may be partially borne by the recipient. Materials are sent in reuseable bags with postage paid cards. Each bag will be sent with a form which will allow the patron to select specific books or indicate reading interests for the next delivery. Material may also be returned in person, along with the reusable bag.

Only books owned by the Old Bridge Public Library may be mailed to Books By Mail recipients. These books have four-week loan periods which include the time spent traveling back and forth from the Library. Books which are categorized as “new” may not be sent due to high demand. All non-book formats of material are excluded from this program.

Part VI. HOLDS AND INTER-LIBRARY LOAN REQUESTS

Materials which are not considered Reference Materials may be placed on hold. Customers may request materials from libraries within the LMxAC consortium via in person, telephone, or electronically. Some items held within the LMxAC consortium may not be available, per individual library lending policies.

Materials which are not available in the LMxAC consortium may be requested through our Inter-Library Loan service.

Materials which are obtained through the Inter-Library Loan process will have loan periods defined by the loaning library. Some of these materials may not be eligible for renewals.

The Library will not honor Inter-Library Loan requests for non-Old Bridge Library Card holders.

Part VII. FINES AND BILLS

Materials are loaned by the Library with the understanding that the borrower will return them in the same condition and by the due date established by the Library. In circumstances where fines and/or fees are owed for a substantial period of time without successful resolution, a patron’s account may be placed with a collection agency in order to secure payment.

Outside Book/Material Returns

Materials may be returned to the Library during library hours, or customers may use our outside material returns. When dropping off materials to the outside return receptacles, customers should take care to make sure the materials are safely placed into the receptacle. Customers should not leave materials outside the library in any kind of container other than the official library material return. Customers are encouraged to call the library during the next open hours of operation should they find the return receptacle unable to be used.

Overdue Materials

If materials are returned or renewed later than the due date, overdue fines will be charged to the customer, per the chart listed on page 4.

Customers will be notified of overdue items and outstanding bills by mail, telephone, or email.

Customers will be sent notices per the following schedule:

Notices for Print Materials:
1^st notice is sent when the item is 14 days overdue.
2^nd notice is sent when the item is 28 days overdue.
Lost notice is sent when the item is 42 days overdue.

Notices for Non-Print Materials:
1^st notice is sent when the item is 7 days overdue.
2^nd notice is sent when the item is 14 days overdue.
Lost notice is sent when the item is 28 days overdue.

Lost or Damaged Materials

Lost or damaged Inter-Library Loan Items: Any replacement and/or processing fees charged by the lending library will be passed along to the customer who has borrowed the item.

Print Materials overdue for 42 days and Non-Print Materials overdue for 28 days will be considered Lost and the customer will be responsible for paying the replacement cost of the item.

Materials damaged to the extent that the item must be removed from the Library’s collection will be charged to the customer.

The Library will allow replacement in-kind in lieu of payment for lost or damaged materials however; this request must be made to the Library Director or a Department Head. A $7 processing fee will be charged at the time of the in-kind replacement.

Part VIII. SUSPENSION OF PRIVILEGES

The Library will suspend a customer’s borrowing privileges if the customer has accrued a total of $10.00 worth of outstanding fines on his/her library record. A customer’s record will be cleared and borrowing privileges reinstated upon full payment of all outstanding fines.

A customer’s borrowing privileges will also be suspended after he/she has received a bill for the non-return of one item borrowed from the Library. A customer’s record will be cleared and his privileges reinstated upon return of the item and payment of overdue fines and/or upon payment of the replacement cost of the item, including the associated service charge. Customers are encouraged to return items rather than pay for them.

APPENDIX I

LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

APPENDIX II

An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights

(formerly titled “Free Access to Libraries for Minors”)

Library policies and procedures that effectively deny minors equal and equitable access to all library resources and services available to other users violate the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.

Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” The “right to use a library” includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of, library resources, based solely on the chronological age, educational level, literacy skills, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.

Libraries are charged with the mission of providing services and developing resources to meet the diverse information needs and interests of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities that fulfill the needs and interests of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of library resources. The needs and interests of each library user, and resources appropriate to meet those needs and interests, must be determined on an individual basis. Librarians cannot predict what resources will best fulfill the needs and interests of any individual user based on a single criterion such as chronological age, educational level, literacy skills, or legal emancipation. Equitable access to all library resources and services shall not be abridged through restrictive scheduling or use policies.

Libraries should not limit the selection and development of library resources simply because minors will have access to them. Institutional self-censorship diminishes the credibility of the library in the community and restricts access for all library users.

Children and young adults unquestionably possess First Amendment rights, including the right to receive information through the library in print, sound, images, data, games, software, and other formats.1 Constitutionally protected speech cannot be suppressed solely to protect children or young adults from ideas or images a legislative body believes to be unsuitable for them.2 Librarians and library governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections because only a court of law can determine whether or not content is constitutionally protected.

The mission, goals, and objectives of libraries cannot authorize librarians or library governing bodies to assume, abrogate, or overrule the rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians. As “Libraries: An American Value” states, “We affirm the responsibility and the right of all parents and guardians to guide their own children’s use of the library and its resources and services.” Librarians and library governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that only parents and guardians have the right and the responsibility to determine their children’s—and only their children’s—access to library resources. Parents and guardians who do not want their children to have access to specific library services, materials, or facilities should so advise their children.

Librarians and library governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to ensure that all members of the community they serve have free, equal, and equitable access to the entire range of library resources regardless of content, approach, or format. This principle of library service applies equally to all users, minors as well as adults. Lack of access to information can be harmful to minors. Librarians and library governing bodies must uphold this principle in order to provide adequate and effective service to minors.

Note

See Brown v. Entertainment Merchant’s Association, et al. 564 U.S. ____ (slip opinion 08-1448, 2011): a) Video games qualify for First Amendment protection. Like protected books, plays, and movies, they communicate ideas through familiar literary devices and features distinctive to the medium.. And ‘the basic principles of freedom of speech . . . do not vary’ with a new and different communication medium.”
See Erznoznik v. City of Jacksonville, 422 U.S. 205 (1975): “Speech that is neither obscene as to youths nor subject to some other legitimate proscription cannot be suppressed solely to protect the young from ideas or images that a legislative body thinks unsuitable for them. In most circumstances, the values protected by the First Amendment are no less applicable when government seeks to control the flow of information to minors.” See also Tinker v. Des Moines School Dist., 393 U.S.503 (1969); West Virginia Bd. of Ed. v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943); AAMA v. Kendrick, 244 F.3d 572 (7th Cir. 2001).

Adopted June 30, 1972, by the ALA Council; amended July 1, 1981; July 3, 1991; June 30, 2004; July 2, 2008 under previous name “Free Access to Libraries for Minors”; and July 1, 2014.

Appendix III

Old Bridge Public Library Patron Confidentiality Policy

Such records will not be made available to any individual, organization or government agency, except pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:73-43.2 which provides:

Library records which contain the names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of libraries are confidential and shall not be disclosed except in the following circumstances:

The records are necessary for the proper operation of the library;
b. Disclosure is requested by the user; or
c. Disclosure is required pursuant to a subpoena issued by a court or court order.

L.1985, c.172, 2, eff. May 31, 1985

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to limit the public’s right to access under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 et seq.

Procedure for Responding to Requests for Confidential Information

If the staff is approached by a person making a request for confidential records (registration or usage records, computer or reference use, etc.), the following steps will be taken:

The staff member receiving the request will immediately refer the person making that request to the Library Director. If the Library Director is not available, the staff member will locate a senior staff member (department head or librarian). At the same time, the staff member will notify the Library Director by telephone, if possible.
The Library Director or senior staff member (as outlined above) will verify and record the identity of the person asking for the confidential materials. Then, the Library Director or senior staff member will explain the Confidentiality Policy and make a copy available.
If the Library Director or senior staff member receives a subpoena, search warrant or other court order, the library’s attorney will be notified to determine if the request is properly prepared in accordance with local, State or Federal regulations.
If the court order, subpoena, or warrant is not in proper form, the Library Director must insist that any problems be rectified before any records can be released.
Any threats or unauthorized demands (those not properly supported by the necessary legal forms) concerning confidential information will be reported to the Library Director. Such threats or demands will be reported to the library’s attorney and President of the Library Board.
Any problems or questions relating to this policy, that are not addressed above will be referred to the Library Director.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees: 06/13/2012; revised 8/10/16, 12/13/17 and 9/12/2018.

able of Contents

Appendices:

I. Introduction

The Old Bridge Public Library Board of Trustees has adopted this Collection Development Policy. This Policy will serve as a guideline to the librarians who purchase items for the Library’s collections, and will inform the public about the methods through which materials are collected and maintained. In developing the print and electronic resources that are offered the Library, the Selectors bear in mind the Library’s Mission Statement:

“The Old Bridge Public Library provides a dynamic, professional environment to meet the cultural, educational, and recreational needs of our community.”

To fulfill its mission, the Old Bridge Public Library obtains and provides its community with resources that educate, entertain, and enrich individuals. Because it is impossible to acquire all print and electronic materials, every library must practice some selectivity in its collection development. The regulations which govern the acquisitions system at the Old Bridge Public Library are outlined in this policy.

The Library houses a general collection of reliable materials encompassing broad areas of knowledge. Resources of enduring value and items addressing current issues are included. Working within the context of these broad objectives, the Selectors consider community demographics and evidence of areas of interest.

When developing the collections of the Old Bridge Public Library, the Selectors consider the resources of other local organizations and information centers. Many of these items may be obtained through Interlibrary Loan. In addition, information may be obtained through Electronic Databases and the Internet.

All collection development tasks will be performed with objective and discerning judgment. Each area of the collection will be allocated a portion of the Library’s material budget. Usage indicators, cost per item, and the principles outlined in this policy will determine the amount of funds and the number of items purchased for each section. Because the interests and needs of the community may change, as well as budget, the Collection Development Committee re-assesses this allocation on an annual basis. Therefore, the amount of funds given to a particular portion of the collection may change for each fiscal year.

The Library supports the individual’s right to access ideas and information representing all points of view. Patron suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. The Old Bridge Public Library Board of Trustees has adopted the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, the Freedom to View Statement and the Free Access to Libraries for Minors Statement. These Statements, which are attached, are incorporated into and made a part of this Collection Development Policy.

II. Collection Development Objectives

To encourage lifelong learning by providing information and recreation materials on a broad range of topics to people of all ages.
To provide resources that meet the customers’ interests and needs in a timely manner.
To ensure that each subject area contains materials that are current, accurate and produced by reliable sources.
To strive to provide a balance of viewpoints on all subjects.
To avoid duplication of resources while ensuring wide coverage of topics.
To actively participate in LMXaC the regional consortium which permits reciprocal borrowing among cardholders of the Old Bridge Public Library and those of other local libraries.
To actively participate in the New Jersey’s Interlibrary Loan program which makes it possible to share resources with other libraries, as well as MURAL, the Middlesex Union Reciprocal Agreement Libraries.

III. The Old Bridge Township Community

Old Bridge is a large, sprawling, suburban township located in central New Jersey. The community is accessible to major highways that lead to New York, Philadelphia and Delaware. Educational institutions such as Rutgers University and Middlesex County College are located nearby. The residents of Old Bridge vary in age, ethnic background, and in educational and economic levels.

Old Bridge has several distinct sections: Cheesequake, Laurence Harbor, Browntown, South Old Bridge, etc. Each area is unique in its demographics. In developing the Library’s collections, the Selectors consider the different interests and needs of each community.

The Old Bridge Public Library consists of a large Main Library and a smaller Branch that is located in the Laurence Harbor section of the Township. Due to the diversity in culture, economics, and location, the Old Bridge Public Library provides different levels and quantities of material. Other local libraries are available to provide additional services to the community. Customers from other townships are encouraged to use the resources of the Old Bridge Public Library.

The collections of the Old Bridge Public Library strive to meet the educational and recreational needs of the customers. It is the responsibility of the Director and the Selectors to provide a full range of resources to ensure that these needs are met. Materials addressing these needs will be purchased and/or provided to the patron through the statewide interlibrary loan system.

IV. Materials Selection Responsibilities

The Director, the Adult Services Librarians and the Youth Services Librarians work together to develop policies and procedures for collection development. It is the responsibility of the Selectors to ensure that appropriate materials are purchased for the Library; in doing so, they make certain that their choices reflect the Collection Development Policy of the Old Bridge Public Library. In addition to purchasing items, the Selectors weed the collection to keep them current with need and demand, ensure that items are in good physical condition and spend their budgets in a timely and organized manner.

V. Placement of Material

Several factors determine the placement of material at the Old Bridge Public Library. Dewey Decimal Classification, which divides material by subject, is used to arrange the various collections. Staff members in the Acquisitions Department use the Dewey Decimal Classification and the Library of Congress subject headings to determine the location of the items in the Library. Material are classified under broad headings, such as “Adult Fiction”, “Juvenile Nonfiction”, “Young Adult Fiction”, “Mystery”, and “Reference”. Items within the nonfiction collections are further divided by subject. Professional reviews recommending age appropriateness of material aid Librarians in selecting and placing material.

All of the Library’s collections are available to customers of all ages. The location of items in a collection is determined by the classification scheme, professional reviews, and the Librarians’ expertise. It is the responsibility of the parents, not the Library staff, to monitor Library use by children.

VI. Methods for Selection

Selection is a discerning and interpretive process that involves a general knowledge of the topic and an understanding of the community’s needs. Selectors judge an item on the content and style of the work as a whole, not by particular passages. The criteria for selection include, but are not limited to: popular interest, currency of information, appropriateness of the item for the collection, number of other materials owned in that subject area, literary merit, enduring value, accuracy, authoritativeness, contemporary significance, patron request, cost and availability in other local public libraries. Quality and suitability of the format are also considered. Selectors should choose material that will build a well-rounded collection; which includes varying viewpoints and opinions that will meet supplementary study needs.

VII. Selection Tools

The Librarians consult a number of resources in selecting items for the collection. These resources include, but are not limited to: professional journals, trade publications, reputable Internet sites, subject bibliographies and publishers’ promotional material. The Library staff welcomes suggestions from customers; these requests provide Librarians with useful information about interests or needs that may not be adequately met by the collection. Librarians will use the decision-making process described above when considering whether to purchase items suggested by patrons.

VIII. Standing Orders

Items that are updated annually or every few years are placed on standing order so that the new editions are automatically received by the Library. The list of these materials is reviewed by the Selectors on a periodic basis.

IX. Materials Format

Materials are purchased in the most appropriate format for Library use. It is the responsibility of the Old Bridge Public Library to meet the varied needs and interests of a broad public audience. Therefore, the Library does not purchase textbooks and other scholarly material.

The majority of the resources that are housed within the Old Bridge Public Library are unabridged or complete in their entirety. However, the Library does also collect abridged and/or edited versions of some materials. When deciding whether to purchase an item in an abridged or unabridged format, Selectors consider factors such as patron requests and the materials budget.

The Library collects and maintains books-on-CD and Playaways. These collections contain abridged and unabridged items. The Library also provides access to ebooks and eaudio materials through various sources such as eLibraryNJ, OneClickDigital and iBistro.

The Library subscribes to current periodicals. Magazines are selected according to their suitability for the widest possible audience. Therefore, the Library does not purchase academic journals, although some articles from such publications may be obtained through online databases. The Library also subscribes to several local and national newspapers.

Videos and DVDs purchased for the Library included feature films, documentaries, classical movies, and children’s stories. The Library also houses collections of CD-ROMs and musical CDs.

The Library has several special collections. A “New Jersey” collection, an English as a Second Language collection and several non-English language collections, Braille materials for children, and local school textbooks (donated by the Old Bridge Township Board of Education) are available.

Collections in foreign languages may be established provided there is adequate evidence of community need, support for cataloging, and collection development.

Selectors will consider adding materials in new formats. Survey results, patron suggestions, and industry reports will be used to determine this. In addition, the Selectors will advise on the availability of materials in the format, the cost per item, and the Library’s ability to obtain and store the items. These considerations will also influence the decision to delete a format from the Library’s collection.

X. Multiple Copies

Although the Library does not have the budget to buy multiple copies of every title, it does purchase multiple copies of titles having high customer demand. The numbers of copies of a particular title that are purchased, and the format in which it is ordered, are determined by the individual Selector. When there are three or more holds per copy of a title, additional copies may be purchased. In subject areas such as cookbooks and computer tutorials where the interest is in the topic rather than in a particular title, the Library prefers to buy one or two copies of several different titles rather than numerous copies of one title. Through this approach, the Library offers a variety, depth, breadth, and relevance to the needs of the community.

XI. Gift and Donations

Gifts of materials are accepted by the Friends of the Library with the understanding that they will be considered for addition to the collection in accordance with the Collection Development Policy. If materials are not placed in the Library’s collection, they may be placed in the Friends’ ongoing or annual book sale. Materials that are in poor condition may be disposed of in other ways. Items will not be held for specific individuals.

If the title is already in the collection, it will be added only if it in good condition, if a duplicate is needed, if copies need replacement and/or if the title has not been superseded.

If the title is not in the collection, it will be evaluated according to the following factors: physical condition, currency and reliability of information, historical value and local interest. In general, collections of materials which necessitate special housing or which prevent integration of the items into the general collections cannot be accepted.

Special gifts may be recognized with a bookplate at the discretion of the Library.

The Old Bridge Public Library will not assign a value to any gift material. The Library will, however, provide a receipt for the number of books, DVDs magazines and other materials donated.

Gifts of funds are always welcomed and appreciated. Recommendations from the donor are honored so far as the suggestions are in accordance with the Collection Development Policy.

Because the goal of the Library is to acquire current materials on a variety of subjects, the Library does not serve as a repository for out-of-print books. Items that are selected for inclusion in the collection are judged on factors such as merit and value. In deciding whether to add an item to the collection, the Selector will determine what other materials on the subject the Library owns and how this new title is needed. If it is accepted, it will be added to the collection and treated as any other item. If it is lost or damaged, the Selector will decide whether it should be replaced. If the book is not added to the collection, it may be given to the Friends of the Library to place in its book sale. The Library will not establish a “Rare Book Room”.

XII. Evaluation of the Collection

To be certain that the Library is fulfilling its mission to provide current, accurate, and reliable materials to the public, the Selectors must continuously evaluate the collection. Resources such as circulation reports, material turnover rates, fill rates, volume counts, customer requests, and community surveys are studied to determine how the collection is being used and how it should change to meet customers’ needs. The collection is checked against standard bibliographic tools, subject specialty catalogs and online resources. Selectors examine the physical condition and frequency of use of items in the collection. Through ongoing quantitative and qualitative methods, the Director and the Selectors monitor the collection to ensure that it is serving the public.

XIII. Weeding of Materials

The Collection Development Policy serves as a guide for weeding and maintaining the collection as well as for the selection of material. Librarians may remove titles from the collection through systematic weeding or because items have been damaged. Material that has been lost or damaged may be replaced using the same criteria as for selection. Other factors which Selectors must consider when deciding whether to discard an item include the number of copies of a title that the Library owns, the last circulation date, the availability of newer material on the subject, the importance of the work in its field and its cost.

Systematic weeding of the collection is required of every Selector. This process enables the Library to serve customers’ needs, to ensure the currency and accuracy of the collection and to create space for newer material. Weeding identifies damaged items, obsolete sources, ephemeral material that is no longer used and extra copies which are not in circulation. Weeding also enables the Selector to evaluate the collection by identifying areas where additional material is needed, older editions that need to be updated; and subjects, titles, or authors that are no longer of interest to the community.

XIV. Reconsideration of Library Material

The Old Bridge Public Library endorses and adopts as part of this Policy, the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, The Freedom to Read Statement, The Freedom to View Statement and the Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors

Copies of these documents are included in the Appendix.

It is the mission of the Old Bridge Public Library to provide information on a broad range of topics to people of all ages. To fulfill this obligation, the Library collects material reflecting different points of view. The Library does not endorse particular beliefs, ideas, or viewpoints; the selection of an item does not imply endorsements of the viewpoints of the author. Materials will not be sequestered on the basis of their contents.

Customers are encouraged to express their opinions of the contents of the Library’s collection. These recommendations often provide Librarians with information about areas of the collection that may not adequately fulfill the needs of the community. Although the Library welcomes the suggestions of its users, it will be governed by the Collection Development Policy when deciding whether to add or delete an item from the collection.

Customers who request the reconsideration of library material must complete and sign the Request for Reconsideration of Library Material form. A copy of this document is included in the Appendix. Provided that this form includes the name and telephone number of the individual(s) making the request, it will be forwarded to the Library Director.

Upon receipt of a formal written request, the Director will obtain information from the Library staff regarding the decision for ordering the material in question. In order to understand the importance of the item to the subject area, the Director may consult with outside professionals in the field.

After studying this information provided by the Selector(s), the Director will respond in writing to the person who initiated the request for reconsideration. The Director will inform the Board of Library Trustees of all requests for reconsideration of Library material and disposition of their requests.

In the event that the person(s) who initiated the request is not satisfied with the decision of the Director, he/she may request a meeting before the Board of Library Trustees by making a written request to the Board President. Upon receipt of the request, the Board may place the issue on its agenda. The person(s) who initiated the request will be notified of the time and place of the Board meeting. The Board of Library Trustees reserves the right to limit the length of presentation and the number of speakers at the meeting.

After hearing from the person(s) making the reconsideration request, the Board will determine whether the request has been handled in accordance with the stated policies and procedures of the Old Bridge Public Library. It will consider the information provided by Library staff, the position of the customer(s) and the decision of the Director.

APPENDIX I.

LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation
Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views.
Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 18, 1948
Amended February 2, 1961 and January 23, 1980
inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996
by the ALA Council.

APPENDIX II.

THE FREEDOM TO READ STATEMENT

The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label “controversial” views, to distribute lists of “objectionable” books or authors, and to purge libraries. These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and suppression are needed to counter threats to safety or national security, as well as to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals. We, as individuals devoted to reading and as librarians and publishers responsible for disseminating ideas, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read.

Most attempts at suppression rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary individual, by exercising critical judgment, will select the good and reject the bad. We trust Americans to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. We do not believe they are prepared to sacrifice their heritage of a free press in order to be “protected” against what others think may be bad for them. We believe they still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression.

These efforts at suppression are related to a larger pattern of pressures being brought against education, the press, art and images, films, broadcast media, and the Internet. The problem is not only one of actual censorship. The shadow of fear cast by these pressures leads, we suspect, to an even larger voluntary curtailment of expression by those who seek to avoid controversy or unwelcome scrutiny by government officials.

Such pressure toward conformity is perhaps natural to a time of accelerated change. And yet suppression is never more dangerous than in such a time of social tension. Freedom has given the United States the elasticity to endure strain. Freedom keeps open the path of novel and creative solutions, and enables change to come by choice. Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of our society and leaves it the less able to deal with controversy and difference.

Now as always in our history, reading is among our greatest freedoms. The freedom to read and write is almost the only means for making generally available ideas or manners of expression that can initially command only a small audience. The written word is the natural medium for the new idea and the untried voice from which come the original contributions to social growth. It is essential to the extended discussion that serious thought requires, and to the accumulation of knowledge and ideas into organized collections.

We believe that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture. We believe that these pressures toward conformity present the danger of limiting the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend. We believe that every American community must jealously guard the freedom to publish and to circulate, in order to preserve its own freedom to read. We believe that publishers and librarians have a profound responsibility to give validity to that freedom to read by making it possible for the readers to choose freely from a variety of offerings. The freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Those with faith in free people will stand firm on these constitutional guarantees of essential rights and will exercise the responsibilities that accompany these rights.

We therefore affirm these propositions:

It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or considered dangerous by the majority.

Creative thought is by definition new, and what is new is different. The bearer of every new thought is a rebel until that idea is refined and tested. Totalitarian systems attempt to maintain themselves in power by the ruthless suppression of any concept that challenges the established orthodoxy. The power of a democratic system to adapt to change is vastly strengthened by the freedom of its citizens to choose widely from among conflicting opinions offered freely to them. To stifle every nonconformist idea at birth would mark the end of the democratic process. Furthermore, only through the constant activity of weighing and selecting can the democratic mind attain the strength demanded by times like these. We need to know not only what we believe but why we believe it.

Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be published or circulated.

Publishers and librarians serve the educational process by helping to make available knowledge and ideas required for the growth of the mind and the increase of learning. They do not foster education by imposing as mentors the patterns of their own thought. The people should have the freedom to read and consider a broader range of ideas than those that may be held by any single librarian or publisher or government or church. It is wrong that what one can read should be confined to what another thinks proper.

It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to bar access to writings on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.

No art or literature can flourish if it is to be measured by the political views or private lives of its creators. No society of free people can flourish that draws up lists of writers to whom it will not listen, whatever they may have to say.

There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.

To some, much of modern expression is shocking. But is not much of life itself shocking? We cut off literature at the source if we prevent writers from dealing with the stuff of life. Parents and teachers have a responsibility to prepare the young to meet the diversity of experiences in life to which they will be exposed, as they have a responsibility to help them learn to think critically for themselves. These are affirmative responsibilities, not to be discharged simply by preventing them from reading works for which they are not yet prepared. In these matters values differ, and values cannot be legislated; nor can machinery be devised that will suit the demands of one group without limiting the freedom of others.

It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept the prejudgment of a label characterizing any expression or its author as subversive or dangerous.

The ideal of labeling presupposes the existence of individuals or groups with wisdom to determine by authority what is good or bad for others. It presupposes that individuals must be directed in making up their minds about the ideas they examine. But Americans do not need others to do their thinking for them.

It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people’s freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large; and by the government whenever it seeks to reduce or deny public access to public information.

It is inevitable in the give and take of the democratic process that the political, the moral, or the aesthetic concepts of an individual or group will occasionally collide with those of another individual or group. In a free society individuals are free to determine for themselves what they wish to read, and each group is free to determine what it will recommend to its freely associated members. But no group has the right to take the law into its own hands, and to impose its own concept of politics or morality upon other members of a democratic society. Freedom is no freedom if it is accorded only to the accepted and the inoffensive. Further, democratic societies are more safe, free, and creative when the free flow of public information is not restricted by governmental prerogative or self-censorship.

It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a “bad” book is a good one, the answer to a “bad” idea is a good one.

The freedom to read is of little consequence when the reader cannot obtain matter fit for that reader’s purpose. What is needed is not only the absence of restraint, but the positive provision of opportunity for the people to read the best that has been thought and said. Books are the major channel by which the intellectual inheritance is handed down, and the principal means of its testing and growth. The defense of the freedom to read requires of all publishers and librarians the utmost of their faculties, and deserves of all Americans the fullest of their support.

We state these propositions neither lightly nor as easy generalizations. We here stake out a lofty claim for the value of the written word. We do so because we believe that it is possessed of enormous variety and usefulness, worthy of cherishing and keeping free. We realize that the application of these propositions may mean the dissemination of ideas and manners of expression that are repugnant to many persons. We do not state these propositions in the comfortable belief that what people read is unimportant. We believe rather that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours.

This statement was originally issued in May of 1953 by the Westchester Conference of the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council, which in 1970 consolidated with the American Educational Publishers Institute to become the Association of American Publishers.

Adopted June 25, 1953, by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee; amended January 28, 1972; January 16, 1991; July 12, 2000; June 30, 2004.

A joint statement by:
American Library Association
Association of American Publishers

Subsequently endorsed by:
American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression
The Association of American University Presses, Inc.
The Children’s Book Council
Freedom to Read Foundation
National Association of College Stores
National Coalition Against Censorship
National Council of Teachers of English
The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression

Appendix III: Freedom to View Statement

The FREEDOM TO VIEW, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium expression. Therefore these principles are affirmed:

To provide the broadest access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.
To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
To provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expressions. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content.
To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video, or other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.
To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view.

This statement was originally drafted by the Freedom to View Committee of the American Film and Video Association (formerly the Educational Film Library Association) and was adopted by the AFVA Board of Directors in February 1979. This statement was updated and approved by the AFVA Board of Directors in 1989.

Endorsed by the ALA Council January 10, 1990

Appendix V: Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors

(formerly titled “Free Access to Libraries for Minors“)

Library policies and procedures that effectively deny minors equal and equitable access to all library resources and services available to other users violate the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.

Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” The “right to use a library” includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of, library resources, based solely on the chronological age, educational level, literacy skills, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.

Children and young adults unquestionably possess First Amendment rights, including the right to receive information through the library in print, sound, images, data, games, software, and other formats.¹ Constitutionally protected speech cannot be suppressed solely to protect children or young adults from ideas or images a legislative body believes to be unsuitable for them.² Librarians and library governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections because only a court of law can determine whether or not content is constitutionally protected.

Note:

See Brown v. Entertainment Merchant’s Association, et al. 564 U.S. 08-1448 (2011): a) Video games qualify for First Amendment protection. Like protected books, plays, and movies, they communicate ideas through familiar literary devices and features distinctive to the medium.. And ‘the basic principles of freedom of speech . . . do not vary’ with a new and different communication medium.”
See Erznoznik v. City of Jacksonville, 422 U.S. 205 (1975): “Speech that is neither obscene as to youths nor subject to some other legitimate proscription cannot be suppressed solely to protect the young from ideas or images that a legislative body thinks unsuitable for them. In most circumstances, the values protected by the First Amendment are no less applicable when government seeks to control the flow of information to minors.” See also Tinker v. Des Moines School Dist., 393 U.S.503 (1969); West Virginia Bd. of Ed. v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943); AAMA v. Kendrick, 244 F.3d 572 (7th Cir. 2001).

Adopted June 30, 1972, by the ALA Council; amended July 1, 1981; July 3, 1991; June 30, 2004; July 2, 2008 under previous name “Free Access to Libraries for Minors”; and July 1, 2014.

Appendix V: Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials

It is the mission of the Old Bridge Public Library to serve all residents of our community. As a public library, we serve people from all walks of life and with a variety of backgrounds, viewpoints and tastes. Materials for the informational, educational and recreational needs of members of the community are selected by librarians to meet these diverse needs. The Library Board of Trustees has adopted a Collection Development Policy, the American Library Association Bill of Rights, the ALA Freedom to Read and the ALA Freedom to View statements. The right to read and view is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and is central to a democratic society. The Old Bridge Public Library supports the belief that the right to read and the right to free access to library collections for persons of all ages are essential to all individuals’ freedom of thought.

Request for Reconsideration Form

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees: October 14, 2015

The Old Bridge Public Library (OBPL) provides a wide variety of computing resources to the public. This Policy directs the use of these computer resources including, but not limited to, the network and stand-alone computers and the resources they make available to the public. Interpretation, application, and modification of this Policy are within the sole discretion of the Library. The Library reserves the right to set rules as needed to promote equitable computer use and to revise this Policy in response to changes in or concerns about the computing environment. By using a Library computer, customers agree to the following terms and conditions.

General Procedures

The Library has several distinct areas with computers for public use. As a result, procedures may vary depending on computer location. Procedures may include, but are not limited to, time limits, sign-up sheets, identification, age limits, residency and Library account status. Library use of the equipment takes precedence over customer use at all times.

Customer Responsibilities

Customers are responsible for:

Complying with the OBPL Computer Use Policy, as well as other applicable Library policies, including but not limited to, the OBPL Acceptable Library Behavior Policy.
Observing all local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing computer use.
Any and all access, use, or dissemination of information by means of the Internet. In the case of a minor, the customer and the parent or guardian are responsible jointly.
The resolution of problems related to their computer use, including, but not limited to, access, loss, or damage of data, invasion of privacy, electronic transactions or damage to equipment.
Awareness of computer viruses, worms and other destructive computer programs in order to avoid being a victim or distributor of these processes.
Any and all printouts resulting from their computer use and applicable charges upon completion of such use.
Basic personal knowledge of computer use, software applications and some knowledge of the Internet at the time the Library’s computers are used. Library staff will provide limited assistance as time permits when asked but cannot enter data for patrons. To enhance patrons’ information literacy skills, the library offers a continuing program of free computer classes, which include instruction on using the Internet, email and other computer applications.
Saving work to the cloud or to removable storage devices. Storage devices are available for purchase at the Computer Help Desk.
Configuring personal wireless devices. Library staff may provide general information about the wireless network and applicable device settings.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Uses

Computer Customers:

Must use Library computer resources for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only.
May not violate or damage, equipment, software or data belonging to the Library or others, including, but not limited to, altering existing computer settings, configurations or software.
May not download software onto Library computers.
May use non-Library provided paper at the sole discretion of the Library.
Should respect the rights, property, and sensibilities of all Library customers, and must refrain from computer activities that disrupt, disturb or prevent others from using the Library and its resources or violate another customer’s privacy or sensibilities. Computer content should not be displayed which may be offensive to other Library customers, including minors.
Should not make use of sounds or images that might disturb others.
Are prohibited from using Library computers for illegal or unlawful activities of any kind.
May not misrepresent themselves as another customer, attempt to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others, or make unauthorized use of accounts, access codes or identification numbers in an attempt to obtain unauthorized access to other computers, networks or information systems, or engage in “hacking” activities of any kind or nature.
Must respect intellectual property rights by making only authorized copies of copyrighted, licensed or otherwise controlled software or material.
Are prohibited from sending lewd or threatening messages.
Are prohibited from sending unsolicited email messages to large numbers of people.

Compliance

Failure to comply with this Policy or with Library staff directions may result in restriction or termination of the customer’s Library privileges, or, if applicable, require compensation to the Library. Illegal acts involving Library resources may be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.

Disclaimer

The Library subscribes to the principles of intellectual freedom expressed in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statements and its interpretation of these documents. The Library does not monitor, control, or restrict anyone’s access to equipment or resources, within the limits of this Policy, and local, state and federal law. Customers of the Internet assume the responsibility of evaluating accessed information. Restricting access is the responsibility of the customer or the customer’s parent or legal guardian. The Library encourages parents to discuss the Internet with their children and monitor their children’s Internet use. Child Safety on the Information Highway, jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Services Association, is a useful resource.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees: October 14, 2015

The Old Bridge Public Library (Library) strives to take reasonable precautions to assure a safe and secure environment for our patrons and staff. The Library employs digital surveillance cameras to assist in this effort while protecting the individual’s right to privacy.

Public Notice

Signs will be conspicuously posted at the Library entrance informing the public that video surveillance cameras are in use. Conversations or other audible communications shall not be monitored or recorded by the cameras. Monitoring and recording will be conducted in a manner consistent with all existing local and applicable laws and ordinances.

Surveillance Camera Locations

Cameras are positioned to record activity in public spaces specified by the Library Director such as high traffic areas and will complement other measures to maintain a safe and secure environment in compliance with Library policies. Cameras will be installed in public locations where staff and patrons do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Cameras will not be installed in areas where staff and patrons have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms. Camera locations shall not be changed or added without permission of the Director.

Data Storage

Cameras shall observe and record activities in real time, and images shall be saved to the cameras’ server hard drives for approximately 30 days. Software shall delete the oldest images automatically as the capacity of the hard drives is reached. The Library reserves the right to preserve and archive any surveillance footage in its discretion.

Accessing Digital Camera Footage

Only the Library Director/designee shall have access to video in real time or in recorded format. The Director / designee may observe or review such footage in the interests of verifying operational efficiency such as access issues, facilities usage, and crowding, and in the pursuit of incidents such as criminal activity, possible litigation, or violation of Library policies. Video footage and/or images may be shared with authorized Library staff when appropriate to identify those suspended from Library property and to maintain a safe, secure, orderly and policy-compliant environment.

Public Disclosure of Footage

Requests to view recorded footage will not be granted by the Director except to law enforcement upon presentation of a subpoena or court order or when otherwise required by law. In the event of a search warrant which is executable immediately or law enforcement is pursuing an investigation affecting the Library in cooperation with the Library administration, the Director / designee will comply and consult with legal counsel to determine the legal and appropriate course of action.

Individuals authorized under this policy may use a still photograph or selected portions of recorded data to request law enforcement review for assessing the security risk of a specific individual or for investigating a crime on Library property.

Confidentiality/privacy issues prohibit the general public from viewing or receiving camera footage that contains patron information. If the Library Director receives a request from the general public to inspect camera footage which contains patron information, the general public will be advised to file a police report.

Adopted by Library Board of Trustees: August 9, 2017

Legal Reference:

N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1.1 et seq., New Jersey Open Public Records Act / Exceptions
N.J.S.A. 40:54-1 et seq. Public Libraries, General Powers
Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 (1967)
New Jersey Constitution (1947), Art. 1 par. 1, 7

Overview

The Old Bridge Public Library (“Library”) encourages the use of the Library by families and youth. We work to create a feeling of safety and comfort in our Library, but the Library is also a public place. In the Library, members of the public of all ages must share space and resources. To facilitate this, the Library has created this Youth Services Policy and our Acceptable Behavior Policy.

Supervision & safety of children

Parents or caregivers shall be responsible for the care and behavior of children while the children are in the Library. For the Library’s purposes, caregivers are appointed by the parents or legal guardians of a child, and must be fourteen (14) years of age or older.
No child under fourteen (14) years of age shall be left without direct supervision of a parent or caregiver for any reason in any part of the Library. Direct supervision entails being in the immediate area, with direct visual contact of the child.
Librarians will attempt to contact the parents of children left unattended in the Library.  In the event a parent cannot be contacted, the Old Bridge Police Department will be notified.
If a child behaves inappropriately in the Library, the Library personnel will attempt to contact a parent or caregiver either within the Library or via phone to correct such behavior. If problems persist, the Library will attempt to contact a parent or caregiver and have the child removed from the Library. If this is impossible, the Old Bridge Police Department will be contacted. Inappropriate conduct is outlined in our Acceptable Behavior Policy.
All children should have the telephone number of someone who can assist them in an emergency.
If a child requires close supervision or constant individual attention, regardless of age, the child should not use the Library on their own.
Parents and caregivers must be aware of the opening and closing time of the Library.  All children should be picked up or have arrangements to leave the Library at or before closing time.
In the event a child or teenager is left in the Library after closing, Library personnel will stay with the child or teenager at the front doors of the Library for fifteen (15) minutes. After this time, if no parent or caregiver has arrived to take the child or teenager, they will be escorted to the Old Bridge Police Department to await pickup.
As a public agency, the Library serves in the best interest of the welfare of all children. The Library is required by law (N.J.S.A. 9:6-8.10) to notify the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) in the event of suspected abuse or neglect of any child. This includes, but is not limited to: mistreatment of a child, lack of proper supervision of a child or repeatedly leaving a child unattended at the Library.

Computer use

A parent or caregiver must accompany a child aged eight (8) or younger while the child is using a multi-media computer.
Parents or caregivers are responsible for monitoring their children’s use of the Internet. Library personnel cannot act “in loco parentis.”
The Internet computers in the Youth Services Department cannot be used for purposes of chat or email.

Borrowing library materials

In order to borrow materials from the Library, a customer must have a Library card.  

A Library card will be issued to residents after proof of residency and address has been provided to the Library. Library card applications are available at the Check Out Desk.

Children of any age can apply for Library cards. Applications must be signed by a parent or legal guardian for those applicants under seventeen (17) years of age. If a Library card is lost, there is a $2.00 replacement fee.

A customer’s Library card or I.D. shall be held by the librarian on duty while security reference materials are being used.

Programs & activities

Most programs are advertised for specific ages of children. These programs have been planned so that they are developmentally appropriate for the children of that age. Please understand that age limitations are important and are implemented for the benefit of all our children.

Some programs require pre-registration and may fill up quickly. Such programs are planned to accommodate a limited number of attendees. This is done to ensure that the attendees receive the attention they deserve and can benefit from the activities in the program. Our programs offer a learning and enrichment opportunity and we believe that small groups promote this.

Registration is done at any Library service desk or our online registration webpage, generally 2 weeks prior to the program.

Programs requiring registration, are on a first-come, first-served basis; the exception to this policy is that Library cardholders take registration precedence over those not possessing a Library card if programs are in danger of meeting their registration capacity.

Waiting lists are maintained in the event an attendee cancels an event registration. Those on the waiting list will be contacted in the order they were placed on the waiting list, with precedence given to attendees possessing a Library card.

To ensure the safety of the children attending programs, parents or caregivers must remain in the building during the program. The Library is a large and public facility. The parent or caregiver’s presence in the building during a program or while a child is using the Department helps to ensure the child’s safety.

Approved by the Board of Trustees, 02/13/2013

The Old Bridge Public Library encourages the interest and involvement of citizens and organizations through bequests, trusts and donations of monetary or other tangible assets for Library purposes. It is understood that special gifts and bequests should not take the place of public support but should enable the Library to provide and enhance services and collections in ways not possible within current municipal and State operating budgets.

The Old Bridge Public Library welcomes gifts of money, books and other materials, equipment, works of art, documents, photographs, or property of any kind which promotes the mission of the Library. The Library reserves the right to refuse any gift that the Board of Library Trustees, in its sole discretion, deems to be not in the best interests of the Library to accept.

If a gift is accepted by the Library, the gift shall be final; no restrictions on the Library’s ownership, possession, use, or disposition of the gift shall be effective other than restrictions approved by the express vote of the Board of Library Trustees and memorialized in writing.

Monetary gifts

The Library welcomes gifts of cash or stock. If the gift is used to purchase library materials, Library staff will try to accommodate the donor’s subject or title preferences. A plate with the donor’s name will be affixed to the item(s) purchased. Because the Friends of the Old Bridge Public Library have a 501(c)3 status granted by the Internal Revenue Service and gifts to that organization are income tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law, monetary gifts should be made payable to the Friends of the Old Bridge Public Library.

Memorial/honoree gifts

The Library welcomes monetary gifts for purchase of materials for collections given in memory or recognition of individuals or organizations. Memorial gifts should be made payable to the Friends of the Old Bridge Public Library. Whenever possible, the Library staff will choose items which accommodate the donor’s subject or title preferences. The name(s) of the honoree(s) will be listed on a bookplate affixed to the material purchased.

Real estate or other personal property

The Library will accept gifts of real property that either support or could be sold to support the mission of the Library. Such offers will be handled by the Director, who in consultation with the Board of Library Trustees, will determine the suitability of the gift and the terms of acceptance compatible with the Library’s mission and policies, the donor’s intent and applicable laws.

Art, furniture and decorative objects

As a rule, gifts of art objects and furniture shall be of local interest to the community, of professional quality, well-executed and in good condition. As with all other gifts, art objects will be accepted only with the donor’s full agreement that the Library has the right to handle or dispose of the gift in the best interests of the Library. Because of the Library’s limited display and storage areas and focus on primary mission as a library and not a museum, potential donors are requested to discuss these gifts with the Director and the Board of Library Trustees. No gifts posing a danger or threat to staff and users of the Library will be accepted nor gifts which require extensive, regular special care or conservation.

Valuation

The Library will provide a timely, written acknowledgement of the receipt of gifts to the donor, and if desired, to a recognized individual or organization. Acknowledgement of all donations will be noted on the donor page of the Old Bridge Public Library’s web site. Income tax regulations leave the determination of the gift’s monetary value to the donor. Donors must have an appraisal of their gifts for tax purposes completed prior to donation.

Future disposition of gifts

The Old Bridge Public Library is used extensively by the community and sustains property losses through theft, mutilation and ordinary wear. Resources with obsolete and/or misleading information may be discarded with time. The Library cannot guarantee that any gift will be part of the collection or furnishings permanently. Excess articles may first be offered to other Township entities, given to the Friends for sale or discarded.

With thanks to the Flint Public Library, New York Public Library, Middlesex Public Library and the Ephrata Public Library.

Accepted by the Old Bridge Public Library Board of Library Trustees: March 11, 2015

Idea Farm Usage Policy

Purpose:

To ensure equitable, sustainable, and safe use of the Old Bridge Idea Farm Makerspace Workshop and associated components (“Idea Farm”), the following policies and agreements are in place.

1. In using the Makerspace Workshop facilities, the user acknowledges that the equipment being used is highly sensitive, delicate, and may be dangerous if not used properly, and the user therefore releases the Library from any claims, damages or injury arising out of such use.
2. Makers must be at least nine (9) years of age and possess a valid Old Bridge Public Library (“Library”) card, or other LMxAC library card, in good standing.
3. Prior to using equipment in the Idea Farm, Makers must: (a) complete an Idea Farm Safety Class and pass the Safety Test; (b) sign a Liability Waiver Form and (c) verify identity with valid photo ID and library card. A Maker under the aged of 16 17 or under, without a valid photo ID may verify his/her identity with a library card and a valid photo ID of a parent/guardian.
4. Makers must sign in with the staff member on duty at the Information Services Desk, using their Library card. Makers must sign in each time they use the Idea Farm.
5. Makers under age 9 may assist a Library card-holding parent or guardian. Parent/guardian supervision is recommended for all minors, as the Idea Farm workshop contains potentially dangerous tools and equipment.
6. Makers under the age 16 or those inexperienced with sewing machines must attend a sewing class before using the sewing equipment in the Idea Farm. Makers under age 16 12 may not use soldering irons or certain sharp cutting tools unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
7. Makers may not use Idea Farm tools and equipment until safety training has been completed and they are certified by Library staff. Makers must attend safety training in person. Library staff are available to assist in explaining the operation of tools and equipment and upon request, will provide operation manuals to the extent same exist. Due to changes to hardware and software, annual safety training certification is required of all Makers.
8. The Library provides Makers with access to safety equipment in the workshop, including safety goggles, a First Aid Kit, and a fire extinguishers.
9. The Maker agrees that the Library is not responsible for any defects in any of the tools, equipment or materials provided for use in the workshop.
10. The Maker agrees that if any tools or equipment become unsafe or in a state of disrepair, he/she will immediately discontinue use of the tools or equipment and notify Idea Farm staff.
11. The Maker must report any accident which occurs in the Idea Farm workshop to staff.
12. Idea Farm workshop tools and equipment are available to Makers on a first come, first served basis. Please ask staff for a list of tools and equipment available.
13. All tools, equipment or materials used in the workshop are to be returned in the same condition as they were issued, normal wear and tear, excepted. All such items must be returned clean. The Maker agrees to pay for the loss of or damage to any items and further agrees to accept staff’s assessment of fair restitution for damage, delinquency or loss of any item either in part or in total.
14. Items used in the workshop must be returned by the Maker to a Library staff member.
15. The Maker agrees to take precautions to avoid causing unnecessary mess or damage in the Idea Farm workshop. The Maker agrees to clean up his/her workspace in the Idea Farm following use, returning the workspace to its original state. The Maker agrees to inform staff in the case that they are unable to return a work surface, tool or equipment to its original state.
16. The Maker acknowledges that the Library is only able to provide consumable materials on a limited basis. The Maker agrees to avoid wasting consumable supplies and materials.
17. The Maker agrees to abide by the posted price structure for consumables materials. This price structure may be adjusted to cover material cost fluctuations.
18. Failure to abide by terms of usage policy shall result in suspension of Idea Farm usage privileges.

3D Printing Use Policy

Purpose:

The Library desires to offer equitable community access to new and emerging technologies such as 3D printers. The Idea Farm seeks to inspire interest in engineering and design, and help the community to bring their ideas to reality. This policy establishes how and under what circumstances the public may use the Idea Farm’s 3D printers.

The Idea Farm’s 3D printer is available to the public to make three-dimensional objects and prototypes in PLA plastic. Designs are uploaded to the printer from a digital file.

In using the 3D printer facilities, the user acknowledges that the equipment being used is highly sensitive, delicate, and may be dangerous if not used properly, and the user therefore releases the Library from any claim, damages or injury arising out of such use, and for any claim whatsoever arising from the creation or use of any product which is inconsistent of any provision of this Policy.
The 3D printers may be used only for lawful purposes. The public will not be permitted to use the Library’s 3D printers to create material that is:
1. Prohibited by local, state or federal law.
2. Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others. (Such use may violate the terms of use of the manufacturer.)
3. In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. For example, the printers will not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection.
4. The printing of a weapon of any sort, including but not limited to a blade or firearm, any part of a weapon, or any item intended to be used as a weapon is strictly prohibited.
5. The Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
Items printed from 3D printers that are not picked up within 7 days will become property of the Library. Items must be picked up by the individual who printed them.
If there is high demand for printer access, the Idea Farm staff will schedule only one print per day per person or entity. Prints from individuals will be scheduled around 3D printing demonstrations and classes, as well as open workshop hours.
For Makers using the Idea Farm and working with the 3D Printer, prints cannot be initiated if the end of the print would occur after the Library’s open hours. Contact information must be included with a 3D print request.
Failure to pay for a 3D print will result in loss of 3D printing privileges.

Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees 09/10/2014; revised 08/09/2017; revised 9/12/2018.

The Old Bridge Public Library offers limited Notary Public Services for the benefit of the residents of our community. Documents that can be notarized at the library include:

Old Bridge Public School registration forms
Spousal/Child travel consent forms
United States pension certifications

The following guidelines will be followed in the provision of Notary Service:

Patrons are encouraged to make an appointment for notary services, by calling the Library at (732) 607-7933 ext. 5033. Notary Services may also be available without an appointment, on a first-come, first-served basis. However, patrons are advised that there may be times when Notary Service is not immediately available. Patrons seeking notary service without an appointment will be subject to wait times based upon staff member availability.
Valid, original government issued photo identification, such as a Driver’s License or Passport, is required of any customer seeking Notary Service. Copies of identification are not acceptable.
Notary Service is limited to three (3) documents per person, per visit.
Notary Service is provided free of charge to Old Bridge Library card holders. If you do not have an Old Bridge Library card, there is a $2.50 charge per notary signature.
The Library will not provide witnesses, and witnesses may not be solicited from customers using the Library. In order to serve as a witness, the witness must personally know the person whose document is being notarized and must be in possession of valid government issued photo identification.
Documents in any language other than English cannot be notarized at this facility.
Documents must be filled out completely, but not signed, before Notary Service is provided.
Without exception, documents must be signed in the presence of the Notary, and not beforehand.
New Jersey law requires that a Notary and the customer seeking notarization be able to communicate directly with each other. Library Notaries are not permitted to make use of a translator to communicate with a Notary Service customer.
Notary Service is not available for all documents. Examples of documents not acceptable include: Divorce Forms, Deeds, Wills, Living Wills, Living Trusts, Codicils, Depositions, Mortgages, or other Real Estate Closing documents.
Certain public documents cannot be copied and notarized. Examples of these are birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates.
In accordance with New Jersey Notarial Law, Notaries will not provide service if the customer, document or circumstances of the request for Notary Service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for the Library. In this event, the Library Notary may respectfully decline to provide Notary service.
Notary services at the Library are limited to verification of signature consistent with this Policy at the time of signature. The Library will not provide additional verifications, certifications or representations regarding signatures of documents after they are notarized.

Approved by Library Board of Trustees 03/20/02

Amended              06/12/02
Amended              04/13/11
Amended              11/10/21
Amended              11/15/23
Amended              8/19/24

Now Accepting Meeting Room Application Forms

Please Note: Applications for use of the meeting rooms must be submitted at least two months prior to the date of the use / event.

Meeting Room Application

Procedure for Booking a Meeting Room

The Old Bridge Public Library Board of Trustees believes that Library facilities exist for the benefit of the public, and should be available to patrons and other members of the public, subject to rules to insure the safe and orderly operation of the Library and the wellbeing of all patrons. Use of meeting rooms is free of charge, subject to compliance with this Policy.

Permission to use the meeting room does not constitute Library endorsement of the aims, policies or activities of any group or organization. The Old Bridge Public Library follows the guidelines of the American Library Association in promoting the use of its meeting rooms. The meeting rooms are available on an equitable basis regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

View Our Meeting Room Policies

Available Rooms:

Large Meeting Room
(includes kitchen)
150 person maximum

Conference Room
12 person maximum

AV equipment:

Use of audio visual equipment is subject to availability, and use for Library programming and activities will have priority. Any such use is limited to current Old Bridge Public Library Cardholders, and cards must be presented at the time of use. There is no fee for the use of equipment, however, users are responsible for any loss or damage to any such equipment.

DVD/VHS Player + TV
Projector + wall mounted screen (Large Room Only)
Tripod mounted stereo speakers
(Large Room Only – connectable to projector, DVD player, iPods, etc. via RCA stereo cables)
CD Player

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees: January 9, 2013
Revised / Approved by the Library Board of Trustees: November 12, 2015
Revised / Approved by the Library Board of Trustees: February 8, 2023

In order to promote access to online resources, the Old Bridge Public Library (OBPL) circulates mobile WiFi hot spots. OBPL lends hot spots to OBPL cardholders in good standing (i.e. card is not blocked due to unpaid fines or fees) and 18 years of age and older. A patron must present their OBPL card and a current, valid, government issued photo identification to the Circulation Desk staff to checkout a hot spot. Parents and guardians may borrow a hot spot for those under 18.

Hot spot checkout is limited to one per household. A hot spot cannot be borrowed by the same patron, or another person living in the same household, more than once in a 45 consecutive day period. The loan period is three weeks and the hot spots cannot be renewed or reserved. Borrowers cannot loan a hot spot to another person. When the hot spot reaches one day overdue it will be deactivated, rendering the device unusable. An overdue charge of $10 per day will be charged up to a maximum of $100. Hot spots are available at the Circulation Desk on a first-come, first-served basis from the time of opening until 15 minutes before closing.

IMPORTANT: Hot spots are fragile and must be returned at the Circulation Desk and not in the book drops. Devices returned in a book drop will result in a $10 fine. The patron is responsible for any changes in condition while the device is in the patron’s care. Damaged, lost or stolen hot spots will be charged at full replacement cost of $100.

Each hot spot circulates in a bag with a micro-USB charger, Get Started Guide and a copy of this policy. All items must be returned at the end of the loan period. The replacement cost for a damaged, lost or stolen charger is $15.

PLEASE NOTE: The Library reserves the right to refuse lending of these devices to patrons who abuse equipment or who are repeatedly late in returning devices. The Library is not responsible for any liability, damages, or expenses resulting from use or misuse of these devices, connection of the device to other electronic devices or networks, or data loss resulting from use of these devices. The Library is not responsible for information accessed using this device or for personal information shared over the Internet. Engaging in any behavior meant to harm another person, such as cyberbullying, or use of a hot spot to access websites which are illegal or contain illegal content when using the hotspot will result in loss of borrowing privileges.

Proper Care and Use

Do not leave the hotspot in a hot vehicle for an extended period of time.
Do not remove the sim card for any reason.
If the hotspot prompts you to update its software you may accept.
If your device displays a message that says, “Data Limit Reached”, try turning the device off for a few minutes and then restart. This may resolve the issue when it is reactivated.
Do not leave the hot spot plugged in. Once it is fully charged, unplug it and let the battery run down before charging again. Please return the hot spot fully charged.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees: January 11, 2017; revised September 13, 2017.

As a service to the residents of Old Bridge, the Old Bridge Public Library loans area museum passes in order to encourage learning and promote cultural and educational activities. Loans of passes shall be consistent with the following regulations:

How is a pass reserved?

Make a reservation in person at the Circulation Desk at the central Library or by telephone at 732-721-5600, extension 5010. You may also make an online reservation yourself at a specific museum or for a specific date through our booking system.

Is there a charge to reserve a pass? What is the late fee or replacement fee?

There is no charge to reserve a museum pass. However, only two (2) museum passes per library account may be checked out at a time.

If a pass is not returned on time, a fine of five dollars ($5.00) per day will be charged per pass, up to a maximum of the replacement cost of the pass.

If a pass is lost, the borrower will be charged the replacement cost which may be up to five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Who can reserve a pass?

You must have a current Old Bridge Library adult card in good standing to place a reservation. Fines and fees must be paid in full for an account to be in good standing.

A pass cannot be reserved with a child’s or teen’s card. Fines & fees of $10.00 or more on an account will block a reservation.

How many people per pass are admitted to a museum?

It depends on the pass. Each museum has its own admission rules. Check our website or with the library for more information.

What is “Day of Use?”

“Day of Use” is the date on which you plan on visiting the museum. The pass can be picked up the day prior to the Day of Use and MUST be returned by 10 a.m. following the Day of Use. Self-printed passes do not need to be returned. Library issued passes must be returned.

Can I cancel my reservation? What are No Shows?

Reservations can be cancelled. Please let the Library know that you want to cancel no later than the day before Day of Use since others may want to use the museum pass for that day.

You can also view and cancel reservations online.

If you do not pick up your pass by 9:00am on the Day of Use, it will constitute a No Show. Two No Shows in a 60-day period will result in a 3-month block on your museum pass reservations.

Where do I pick up my pass?

All museum passes are now Print-And-Go except for The Morris Museum, which must be picked up at the Circulation Desk of the Old Bridge Public Library central branch. A $5 penalty will be assessed if the pass is returned late.

Print and go passes will be emailed to you directly. There is no need to pick up or return these passes in person.

Do I need my library card to pick up the pass?

Yes, you must present the library card used when reserving the pass.

Where do I return my pass? Are passes renewable?

The pass must be returned to the Circulation Desk or in the book drop on the Day of Use, before the library opens. If the library is closed, the pass must be returned by the library’s opening on the next day we are open. A fee of five dollars ($5.00) per pass per day will be assessed if a pass is not returned on time.

Unfortunately, museum passes are not renewable.

Are there any other important details I need to know before I visit any museum?

The user is responsible for any fees or charges not included with the pass (such as parking, surcharges for special exhibit admission, etc.). Remember to check the museum’s website for information about current exhibits and special programs.

Always confirm operating hours before visiting, as these are subject to change, and always confirm with a museum regarding reciprocal memberships before visiting, as possible restrictions or policies may apply or change without notice.

The Library Board of Trustees, on a very limited basis, may at their discretion authorize the placement and display of commemorative or honorary recognition items within the library building to acknowledge contributions made to the library by individuals or groups. The use of commemorative or honorary recognition items may include, but are not limited to, the appreciation of material donation, financial donation, or service to the library.

The Library Board of Trustees, on a very limited basis, may also authorize the placement and display of commemorative or honorary recognition items for groups that regularly use the library or contribute to the library. The function, design, and placement of all commemorative or honorary recognition items by groups must be approved by the Library Board of Trustees, and the costs associated with the production and maintenance of the recognition items shall be the responsibility of the requesting group. The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to relocate the commemorative or honorary recognition items.

The Old Bridge Public Library Board of Trustees encourages participation in Library activities. In accordance with its role as a community center, the Library maintains art display units, hanging wires with hooks and glass display cases that are used to display artistic creations and personal collections. All art and exhibits are displayed in the Main Branch.

Exhibitors wishing to use display space are required to submit a completed Request for Exhibit Space Form. Materials to be considered for exhibition are subject to the following guidelines:

Exhibit space is available to organizations and individuals engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual or charitable activities.
All exhibits must be approved by the Library Director and/or the Director’s designee. It is at the sole discretion of the Director to approve or disapprove the Request for Exhibit Space. The Director Library may request to view samples of the exhibit prior to approving or disapproving the request.
The Director reserves the right to deny an organization’s or an individual’s request if it is deemed inappropriate for general audiences. The Library’s facilities are public spaces which are used and viewed by community members of all ages. This factor will be a prime consideration in the approval or rejection of a display request.
The Director reserves the right to make a final decision on the content and arrangement of all exhibits. The Director reserves the right to reject any part of any exhibit or to change the manner of the display if deemed necessary. The following types of exhibits are not permitted:
- Commercial exhibits (e.g. for sale product displays);
- Partisan political exhibits or exhibits that promote or detract from the support of an election or defeat of a political candidate or party;
- Exhibits which feature a specific religion in a promotional or exclusionary manner;
- Exhibits which are in violation of any laws, or are deemed to be derogatory or offensive to civil standards, including but not limited to those of a sexual nature or depicting inappropriate nudity.

Applications for the use of exhibit space will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited to one month per calendar year for each organization or individual depending on demand.
The Library cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage if any items exhibited.
Exhibits are booked for a one-month period. Exhibitors will be informed of setup and removal dates. If the exhibitor does not bring the display to the Library within three days following the agreed upon setup date, the exhibit may be canceled.
The setup and removal of exhibits is the responsibility of the exhibitor.
The Library will not provide storage space and reserves the right to dispose of exhibits left after the conclusion of the exhibit period, upon the provision of 48 hours’ prior notice to the exhibitor via the contact information the exhibitor has provided.
No sales of exhibit work may be made on the Library premises.
In the event that a prospective exhibit is denied, or that a member of the public objects to the content of an exhibit, such individuals or groups must complete and sign a Request for Reconsideration of Library Exhibit form. The form will be reviewed by the Director, and judged according to the policies established by the Library. The Director has the discretion to remove an item(s) at issue pending review of a reconsideration request.

Display Exhibit Application

Revised by the Board on May 10, 2017.

Purpose

Social media provides a valuable and timely way for the Old Bridge Public Library to disseminate information about and promote library news, programs, projects and services. It also serves to inspire conversation and expand the Library’s connection with the Old Bridge community.

The Old Bridge Public Library regards Social Media as equally important as any other venue for the dissemination of library information.

Definition of social media

Social media is defined as any web application, site, or account created and maintained by the Old Bridge Public Library that supports the Old Bridge Public Library social media purpose statement.

Usage rules

The Old Bridge Public Library welcomes the comments, posts, and messages of the community and recognizes and respects differences in opinion. However, all comments, posts, and messages will be periodically reviewed and the Old Bridge Public Library reserves the right to, but is not required to, remove any comment, post, or message that it deems inappropriate or off-topic. The Old Bridge Public Library is not responsible for or liable for any content posted by any participant in a Library social media forum who is not a member of the Library’s staff.

Users should have no expectation of privacy in postings on Library sponsored social media sites; by using such sites, you consent to the Library’s right to access, monitor, and read any postings on those sites. Users must understand that social media is a permanent, retrievable, and public. Messages can potentially be read by anyone once posted, regardless of status on friends, follower, or subscriber list. The Library recommends that users do not post their personal information or contact information on social media sites.

The Library reserves the right to reproduce comments, posts and messages in other public venues; such reproduction may be edited for space or content while retaining the original intent of the post.

Content containing any of the following will be removed immediately from any Old Bridge Public Library social media forum:

Obscene content or hate speech
Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language
Private or personal information, including phone numbers and addresses, or requests for personal information
Potentially libelous statements Falsification of identity
Plagiarized material
Comments, links, or information unrelated to the purpose of the forum
Spam or other commercial, political, or religious messages unrelated to the Library or its social media postings
Solicitation of funds
Any images, links, or other content that falls into the above categories

The Library reserves the right to ban or block users who have posted in violation of this policy.

In addition, users are expected to abide by the terms and conditions set by third party social media platforms as well as follow appropriate Federal and State Law.

The Old Bridge Public Library assumes no liability regarding any event or interaction that takes place by any participant in any Library-sponsored social media service, and does not endorse or review content outside the “pages” created by the Library. Participation in the Library’s social media services implies agreement with all Library policies and the Terms of Service of each individual third-party service. If a user does not agree to these terms, they are not to use the services provided.

The Library asks that individual user complaints be addressed directly to the Library Administration so they can be addressed quickly and specifically. Social Media is not the mechanism used by the Library to document or address Library user problems and concerns, or influence Library policy, procedures, or programs.

ADOPTED March 11, 2015 by the Old Bridge Public Library Board of Trustees

The Quiet Study Room Policy is in place to insure fair and equitable Quiet Study Room access to members of the Old Bridge Community. By using a Quiet Study Room, you agree to follow this policy. The Old Bridge Public Library has twelve (12) Quiet Study Rooms with a maximum capacity of four (4) persons per room, and two larger Quiet Study Rooms that seat eight (8) persons. The Quiet Study Rooms are intended to provide a quiet area of study for individuals or small groups.

Acceptable use of Quiet Study Rooms includes: working on homework assignments, study groups, interviews, mentoring and counseling.

An Old Bridge Library Card must be presented when a room is reserved. The cardholder must be part of the group using the room. A valid name and phone number must be given to Library staff when reserving a Quiet Study Room.

Old Bridge Library Card holders may reserve Quiet Study Rooms at the Computer Help Desk for three (3) hour reservations periods. This time may be extended only if there is no demand for Quiet Study Rooms.

If the reservation ends within 45 minutes of the library being closed, the time increment may be extended until the Quiet Study Rooms are closed for the day. Quiet Study Rooms must be vacated 15 minutes before the library closes.

Quiet Study Room patrons who sign up for a new room will be given an open room; if no room is open, they will be given the next room to become available. Quiet Study Room users who have used their room past their reservation period must relinquish the room to new users; those who have spent the most time in a Quiet Study Room on a given day will be the first to give up their room to new room users.

When rooms are not in demand, individuals or groups may continue to use a Quiet Study Room past their reservation period; this extension will automatically occur until room demand increases.

Library Staff will give vacated rooms to Quiet Study Room patrons based on the order in which they requested a room; precedence will be given to individuals who have not yet used a Quiet Study Room on that date; previous Quiet Study Room users will be given a room only if no new users are waiting.

Patrons waiting for Quiet Study Rooms will be notified by phone; if a valid phone number is not left, or if the phone is not answered, the patron will lose his/her turn. After notification, patrons must claim their assigned room within 5 minutes, or it will be reassigned to the next waiting patron.

When a current room user needs to relinquish a room to a new user due to demand, they will be given a five minute warning to vacate the Quiet Study Room.

The Quiet Study Rooms may not be used for commercial or business activities, including any sales, advertising or promotional activity.

While using a Quiet Study Room, patrons must continue to abide by the Library’s Acceptable Behavior Policy and not disturb others or engage in destructive behavior. Failure to do so will result in the patron or patrons’ removal from the Quiet Study Room and/or the Library.

Room capacities must be observed while using the Quiet Study Rooms.

Snack food & drinks are permitted in the Quiet Study Rooms in accordance with the Library’s Acceptable Behavior Policy which states:

“Nonalcoholic beverages in covered containers are permitted only in some areas of the Library. Food and drink are not allowed in computer areas or on computer tables and stands. Consumption of snack food is allowed in all areas of the Library except for the computer areas. It is expected that customers will dispose of litter and debris in trash containers and leave table tops and chairs clean. Meals may not be eaten in the Library. The delivery of food to the Library is not allowed and will not be accepted.”

Quiet Study Rooms that have been vacated for more than fifteen minutes will be reassigned at the discretion of library staff. If Quiet Study Rooms will be vacated for more than 15 minutes, patrons must remove all their belongings from the room.

Patrons are responsible for all personal property brought into a Quiet Study Room. The Library is not responsible for monitoring belongings in Quiet Study Rooms, and shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to any personal items left unattended, damaged, or removed during the course of the use of a Quiet Study Room. Items left unattended for longer than fifteen (15) minutes may be removed by the Library staff. Library staff will place such items at the Circulation desk. Such items will be released to the patron upon identification of the items and presentation of identification. The Library is not responsible for loss or damage to personal items during this process.”

The Quiet Study Rooms are not for social gatherings. Use of the rooms in a manner that is disruptive to other Library users is prohibited. Noise shall be kept to a minimum in these rooms.

Failure to abide by this policy may result in suspension of Quiet Study Room privileges for a period of 3 months.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees 6/11/2014; revision approved 11/9/2016; 08/09/2017.

Monday	10:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Tuesday	10:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Wednesday	10:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Thursday	10:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Friday	10:00 AM — 9:00 PM
Saturday	10:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Sunday	12:00 PM — 5:00 PM

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	10:00 PM — 6:00 PM
Wednesday	12:00 PM — 8:00 PM
Thursday	10:00 AM — 6:00 PM
Friday	Closed
Saturday	10:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Sunday	Closed