POLICIES 2013
Library Membership
All residents of Jamesburg may obtain a library card upon proof of
residency. Children, under the age of 18, must be accompanied by a parent
or legal guardian with proof of residency.
Non-resident cards who are employed in Jamesburg may apply for a library
card. Proof of employment in Jamesburg is required as was as proof of legal
address.
Residents of other communities may purchase a “non-resident” card
for $30.00 per year. This “non-resident” card entitles the holder to
full borrowing privileges. This is an individual card and not a family
membership.
The Jamesburg Library has a reciprocal borrowing and lending agreements
with many libraries. Residents of the communities with whom Jamesburg
Library has borrowing agreements may use the Jamesburg Library provided
they have a valid and current library card from their home library.
Circulation Policy
Patrons must present a valid library card to borrow materials. The library
reserves the right to ask for additional ID.
Adult and juvenile books, audio books, compact discs, non-fiction DVDs
and periodicals circulate for 21 days. New books have a 14 day circulation.
The overdue fine is 15 cents per day.
All entertainment DVDs circulate for 3 days and the overdue fine is $1.00 per
day.
Fines for overdue items are charged for each day that the library is open.
The maximum fine for each item is $5.00. Lost or damaged items will be
billed at replacement cost. If overdue items are not returned and attempts
to retrieve the items are ignored, the library may prosecute the violator
under appropriate Borough ordinances. Fines of $5 or greater will block
the patron from taking out materials until the fine is paid. Damaged books
requiring repair will be assessed a $5 repair cost. Patron repairs are highly
discouraged.
Patrons must contact the library staff by telephone and give permission for
another person to pick up library materials to be checked out on that patron’s
card. The caller’s identity will be confirmed by the staff. The designated
person must present the library card at check out.
Returns
The outside book drop box is available to return materials when the library is closed. Materials must be brought inside when the library is open.
Renewals- New books and DVDs cannot be renewed.
Materials may be renewed by phone during regular library hours or on the iBistro site at any time.
Renewals
New books and entertainment DVDs cannot be renewed.
Materials may be renewed in person or by phone during regular library
hours. The iBistro link on the website is available for renewals at anytime.
POLICY FOR CONDUCT IN THE LIBRARY
The Library Board of Trustees encourages the use of the library by citizens of Jamesburg and members of the library and provide facilities which are clean and comfortable and in excellent condition, enforcing regulations as necessary:
1. Food or drink is prohibited except at supervised activities in the meeting room.
2. Disruptive, disorderly improper behavior or language is prohibited.
3. Smoking is prohibited within the building or on library grounds.
4. Cell phones shall be silenced while in the library. Necessary conversation will be taken outside.
5. The library Staff and Board reserve the right to take action necessary to insure that these regulations are followed.
6. The staff reserves the right to summon the police or other authorities if necessary.
7. Damage to library property will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
Children in the Library
The rules and policies of this library have been developed to provide a high quality and fair environment for library users. Parents are expected to understand and explain library rules to their children. Children under the age of nine(9) must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver over the age of 14 at all times while in the library. All members, including children and teens, are expected to use appropriate language and behavior on the premises, including the outside grounds.We expect parents who attend children's programming with their children, to demonstrate good listening habits. If the library is closing and an unattended child is without transportation home, library staff will allow the child to call home. If the child is still unattended when the library closes, local law authorities will be contacted and the the child placed in their care. Under no circumstances shall a staff member drive a child home.
MEETING ROOM POLICY
The Madeline Herche Memorial Room is available to local non-profit, non-political and educational groups during regular library hours.
Meeting room applications are available at the circulation desk. Completed applications must be submitted to the Director at least 2 weeks prior to the date requested. The Library Board reserves the right to deny or approve the use of the meeting room. The library does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, gender, nationality, or religious affiliation.
Selling or promotion of products or services shall not be permitted.
There must be one adult for every ten minors. The size of the group shall be restricted by fire code.
Organized groups must provide a Certificate of Insurance with the application.
The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to take any action necessary to preserve order or to protect the property and facilities within its jurisdiction at the expense of the offender.
Attendance must be open to the public at all times unless prior approval is obtained from the Board of Trustees.
NOTARY PUBLIC RULES
The Jamesburg Public Library offers Notary Public services to all for a fee of $2 per signature.
Valid photo identification is required.
The Library will not provide witnesses and a witness may not be solicited from patrons using the library. In order to be a witness, the person must personally know the person whose document is being notarized and present a valid photo ID.
All documents must be in English. New Jersey law requires that a notary and resident seeking notarization must communicate directly with one another and not use a translator.
Copies of birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, passport or any other legal documents will NOT be notarized.
New Jersey Notarial law states that 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 at her discretion decline to provide for notary service.
Computer Use:
1. All patrons wishing to use a computer must sign in with their full legal name.
2. Children nine years and younger must be accompanied by an adult when using the computer.
3. Sharing computers is prohibited.
4. Disruptive or disorderly users will be removed from the library.
5. No persons may use their own software or discs.
6. Downloading and saving file is permitted only on flashdrive purchased from the library.
7. Anyone abusing the internet privilege will be asked to leave the library.
8. Printing is available at a nominal fee.
9. The library reserves the right to limit computer use to one hour session per person per day.
10.Viewing materials that make others uncomfortable is heartily discouraged.
SERVICES
FAX Services – Jamesburg Public Library offers a fax service to our patrons. The cost is $2.00 for the first page in state and 800 numbers $1.00 for additional pages. $4.00 for the first page out-of-state, and $1.00 for additional pages. $6.00 for the first page out-of-country and $1.00 for additional pages. A cover page is free. The charge for receiving faxes is $1.00 per page. The library FAX number if 732-521-6136.
Copy machine – Patrons may make copies for 10 cents each.
Interlibrary Loan – Being a small library doesn’t mean that our patrons must do without their favorite fiction or nonfiction books, or that hard to find books are forever out of reach. If the book (or audiobook, compact disc, DVD, or educational computer software) is not in our collections, we can try to get it for you from another library. As a member of the Libraries of Middlesex County Consortium (iBistro) The search and reserve can be done at your home computer as well. Remember, in order to check out a book from another library, you must have your Jamesburg Library card.
The Jamesburg Public Library owns a collection of Spanish and Spanish/English picture books that circulate for 3 weeks.
Reference Services – Helping you get the information you need is one of our library’s primary missions. Our staff welcomes your questions. If we cannot find the answer within our four walls, we can call upon the services of the new Jersey Statewide Reference Center at the Camden County Library.
Reference inquiries are free to Jamesburg Library card holders
Remember, if you don’t see or find what you want, Please ask for Help!
Notary Public - We now have a Notary Public on staff. Please call ahead to make sure she is in the building before you come. A small fee will be assessed.
Copy machine – Patrons may make copies for 10 cents each.
Interlibrary Loan – Being a small library doesn’t mean that our patrons must do without their favorite fiction or nonfiction books, or that hard to find books are forever out of reach. If the book (or audiobook, compact disc, DVD, or educational computer software) is not in our collections, we can try to get it for you from another library. As a member of the Libraries of Middlesex County Consortium (iBistro) The search and reserve can be done at your home computer as well. Remember, in order to check out a book from another library, you must have your Jamesburg Library card.
The Jamesburg Public Library owns a collection of Spanish and Spanish/English picture books that circulate for 3 weeks.
Reference Services – Helping you get the information you need is one of our library’s primary missions. Our staff welcomes your questions. If we cannot find the answer within our four walls, we can call upon the services of the new Jersey Statewide Reference Center at the Camden County Library.
Reference inquiries are free to Jamesburg Library card holders
Remember, if you don’t see or find what you want, Please ask for Help!
Notary Public - We now have a Notary Public on staff. Please call ahead to make sure she is in the building before you come. A small fee will be assessed.
THE HISTORY OF THE JAMESBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Jamesburg Library Association was organized in 1885 and the books were held in the local drug store then later moved to the Presbyterian Church until 1931 when the books were then housed first in the Grammar School #1 then a protable building. This building was demolished and the library was moved to several other sites through the years. Finally, in 1948 it ended up in the Presbyterian Church again this time in the basement. Library hours were Monday and Wednesday 2:45 to 4:30 and Monday evenings 7 to 8 P.M. The Library served the people of Jamesburg, Helmetta and Monroe Township.
The drive for a permanent library was taken up by the Jamesburg Lions in 1955. However, the project proved to be too large in scope and they turned to the community for assistance. The Library Board of Trustees began efforts to raise the $25,000 needed to finance the construction of the library building. Volunteers canvassed pledges from residents and businesses in the area.
The new building was to be of red brick with the main floor 30 feet by 60 feet. The basement was designed to accommodate community functions of various sorts and act as the cultural center of the area.
By 1957 the Board of Trustees had $6000 cash and $6000 in pledges. In May 1957, the Jamesburg Volunteer Fire Department transferred title of the site to the Library Board of Trustees. Construction began in November of that year. In 1960, the first of a series of Charity Balls was held to raise money to cover the cost of completing construction. The trustees decided they would hold a fund-raiser rather than appeal to the residents and businesses a second time for contributions. The library opened its doors on Memorial Day, 1963. It was staffed by 25 women volunteers and housed 6000 books. There was a ten thousand dollar mortgage which was paid off in just a few years. The Board was very proud of the fact that the library had been built solely by local efforts and not a penny of state or federal aid had been used.
By 1981 the library was severely short of funds. It operated on money raised by the annual Charity Ball, private donations, borough funds and state aid. In an effort to cut costs, the borough slashed funds from $2000 to $250. State aid was cut by 80% because the library could not purchase its quota of 440 books.
A referendum was put on the ballot in the fall of 1981 to “municipalize” the library. It was approved by a 3-1 margin. There have been several attempts since then by the borough council to close the library in order to save tax money but the people of Jamesburg have worked together to keep the library open.
The drive for a permanent library was taken up by the Jamesburg Lions in 1955. However, the project proved to be too large in scope and they turned to the community for assistance. The Library Board of Trustees began efforts to raise the $25,000 needed to finance the construction of the library building. Volunteers canvassed pledges from residents and businesses in the area.
The new building was to be of red brick with the main floor 30 feet by 60 feet. The basement was designed to accommodate community functions of various sorts and act as the cultural center of the area.
By 1957 the Board of Trustees had $6000 cash and $6000 in pledges. In May 1957, the Jamesburg Volunteer Fire Department transferred title of the site to the Library Board of Trustees. Construction began in November of that year. In 1960, the first of a series of Charity Balls was held to raise money to cover the cost of completing construction. The trustees decided they would hold a fund-raiser rather than appeal to the residents and businesses a second time for contributions. The library opened its doors on Memorial Day, 1963. It was staffed by 25 women volunteers and housed 6000 books. There was a ten thousand dollar mortgage which was paid off in just a few years. The Board was very proud of the fact that the library had been built solely by local efforts and not a penny of state or federal aid had been used.
By 1981 the library was severely short of funds. It operated on money raised by the annual Charity Ball, private donations, borough funds and state aid. In an effort to cut costs, the borough slashed funds from $2000 to $250. State aid was cut by 80% because the library could not purchase its quota of 440 books.
A referendum was put on the ballot in the fall of 1981 to “municipalize” the library. It was approved by a 3-1 margin. There have been several attempts since then by the borough council to close the library in order to save tax money but the people of Jamesburg have worked together to keep the library open.
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