Library Policies

Governance and Organizational Structure

Address, Hours of Operation, Holidays and Closures

240 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028

The Library's hours, holidays, and early closures are subject to change. Please visit the "Directions, Hours, and Holiday Closings" page for the most up-to-date information.

Mission & Vision

Our Mission
To be a part of every resident’s life by providing dynamic and responsive services; interesting and relevant collections; and engaging and enjoyable programs in order to fulfill a need no matter how basic or complex.

Our Vision
Our vision is to provide an ever-evolving and engaging public Library that strives to deliver an optimal user experience to people of all ages.

Our Guiding Principles
Service Excellence
We are first and foremost focused on high customer satisfaction and strive to provide positive experiences for our users. Our employees are knowledgeable, friendly, conscientious, and are committed to responding to our users’ needs professionally, creatively, and efficiently.

Welcoming Atmosphere & Spaces
Our facility is well maintained, clean, and comfortable. We recognize the importance of the Library’s unique architecture and its value within the community. Our spaces are attractive and designed for the user in mind.

Innovation
We pursue innovation to ensure the Library is modern, relevant, and responsive to the needs of our patrons. Enhancements and advancements in appropriate technology are implemented continuously in order to enhance services and provide efficient operations.

Access to Knowledge & Information
We provide open and equal access to information, resources, and facilities in a barrier-free way as possible. Our employees handle requests for information in a matter that protects and respects every user’s right to know and read. We provide access to information that is uncensored and supports the open exchange of ideas in multiple points of view.

Fostering Learning & Creativity
Through our programming, classes, collections, services, and community partnerships, we encourage the continuous intellectual growth of our users throughout their entire lives; most especially in childhood. We support literacy and strive to provide resources for lifelong learning and creativity.

Integrity & Trust
We serve the residents of Glen Ridge with integrity. We are mindful of our financial responsibility to the taxpayer and operate as cost-effectively as possible. We are honest, open, and fair when working with patrons and each other.

Staff Appreciation
We recognize that our staff is our most valuable resource and asset. Our employees are celebrated, respected, and team work is valued. We encourage staff to share their talents and grow professionally. They are provided the resources needed to allow them to perform as effectively and creatively as possible.

Revised September 14, 2022

Library Board of Trustees By-laws

BY-LAWS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE GLEN RIDGE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

ARTICLE I -- BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. The Board of Trustees shall consist of seven members appointed by the Mayor and two ex-officio members, who shall be the Mayor and the Superintendent of Schools or their alternates, in accordance with NJ Statutes 40:54-9 et seq.
Section 2. The ex-officio members, or their alternates, may vote and serve on Library committees. All Board members, with the exception of ex-officio members or their alternates, must be residents of Glen Ridge for at least one year. In the event a Board member, in good standing, is no longer a resident, he/she may be permitted, with the consent of the remaining Board members, to remain on the Board of Trustees until the completion of his/her term, and is eligible for reappointment by the Mayor, provided there are at least five Board members who reside in the Borough at that time.
Section 3. Any Board member who misses three meetings in a calendar year may be asked to resign upon recommendation from the Library Board President to the Mayor and Council.
Section 4. Any Board member is entitled to an adult Glen Ridge Library Card regardless of town of residence.

ARTICLE II -- OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the Board of Trustees shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary, who shall be elected from their own members at the annual meeting of the Board. Officers shall serve a term of one year or until their successors are duly elected. A vacancy in office shall be filled by election of a successor for the unexpired term of the vacant office by the second regular meeting after the vacancy occurs.
Section 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board, appoint all committees, authorize calls for any special meetings, and generally perform the duties associated with that office. The President shall serve as an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 3. The Vice-President, in the event of the absence or disability of the President or of a vacancy in that office, shall assume and perform the duties of the President.
Section 4. The Secretary shall keep an account of all proceedings of the regular and any special Board meetings, , and shall perform such other duties as associated with that office.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall have charge of the special Library funds and income other than Borough appropriations. The Treasurer shall report regularly on the state of these funds and render an annual financial statement to the Board. All bills to be paid through Borough appropriations shall be approved by the Library Director and the Treasurer, or, in the absence of the Treasurer, another officer of the Board.
Section 6. The Treasurer, President, Vice-President and Secretary are authorized to sign checks for Library and Trustee accounts. All checks shall have two signatures.

ARTICLE III -- LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Section 1. The Board shall appoint a qualified Library Director who shall be the executive officer of the Library and shall have sole charge of the administration of the Library under the direction and review of the Board.
Section 2. The Library Director shall attend all meetings of the Board and shall render reports to the Board regularly and annually. The Library Director may attend all committee meetings, ex-officio.
Section 3. The Library Director shall recommend candidates for positions on the staff, shall be responsible for the care of the building and equipment, for the direction of the staff, for the efficiency of the Library’s service to the public, and the operation of the Library under the financial conditions set forth in the annual budget.
Section 4. The Library Director shall be responsible for maintaining written reports and financial records of the Library following the regulations of the New Jersey Records Retention guidelines.

ARTICLE IV -- COMMITTEES
Section 1. There shall be five Standing Committees:

Finance
Building and Grounds
Marketing
Personnel
Technology

Each Committee shall consist of a Chairman, at least one other member, and the President, ex-officio. The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer.
Section 2. The President may appoint Special or Ad Hoc Committees for the study and investigation of special problems. Such committees will serve until the completion of the work for which they were appointed. The Nominating Committee shall be appointed to prepare a slate of candidates for election at the annual meeting.
Section 3. One member of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed to act as a liaison between the Board and the Friends of the Library.

ARTICLE V -- MEETINGS
Section 1. The Board of Trustees shall meet once a month, with the exception of July and August, at a time that shall be fixed by resolution of the Board.
Section 2. The annual meeting, which shall be for the purpose of election of officers, shall be held at the time of the regular monthly meeting in January of each year.
Section 3. Meetings shall follow procedures mandated by the Open Public Meetings Act, New Jersey Statutes 10:4-6, et seq.
Section 4. Special or emergency meetings of the Board may be called to discuss urgent business without advance public notice following the regulations outlined in NJS 10:4-9. Only the business stated in the call for the meeting shall be discussed at such a meeting. The Secretary or another designated person shall keep minutes of special or emergency meetings.
Section 5. Notice of all meetings shall be provided to all members of the Board at least five days before the meeting.
Section 6. The order of business at regular meetings shall include:

New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act statement
Correspondence
Minutes of the previous regular meeting and any intervening special meetings
Report of the Treasurer
Report of Standing Committees
Report of Special Committees
Report of Library Director
Unfinished business
New business
Adjournment

Section 7. Closed Executive sessions may be called to discuss legal, personnel or other matters.
Section 8. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting shall consist of five voting members of the Board present in person.
Section 9. An affirmative vote of the majority of all members of the Board present at the time shall be necessary to approve any action before the Board. The President may vote upon and move or second a proposal before the Board.

ARTICLE VI -- AMENDMENTS
Section 1. The By-Laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting by an affirmative vote of at least five members of the Board present, provided written notice of the proposed amendment shall have been emailed to all members in the call for the meeting.

Revised May 1967, May 1984, March 2000
Amended January 8, 2001, June 10, 2002
Amended 2006
Amended and approved May 4, 2009
Amended and approved March 14, 2012
Amended and approved June 10, 2015
Amended and approved April 5, 2018
Amended and approved December 14, 2022

Strategic Plan 2020 to 2025

Click here to view the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.

Organizational Chart

Click here to view the Library's Organizational Chart.

Library Volunteer Program

The Glen Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees recognizes that volunteers are a valuable resource for the Library. Their energy and talents help the Library meet its commitment to providing quality service to the public .Volunteers enhance, rather than replace, adequate staffing. Volunteer services aid te Library in making the best use of its fiscal resources and help connect the Library to other community groups and organizations .Volunteers can also be valuable advocates for the Library in the community. The Library and its volunteers must work together to ensure a successful relationship. Library staff will continually work to recognize the contributions of Library volunteers and seek to expand the Library volunteer group as needed.

Glen Ridge Public Library volunteers are coordinated by the Director, Assistant Director, or designee, and must be at least 12 years of age. Each volunteer must complete the Library Volunteer Application which will be kept on file in the Library. Forms are available at the circulation desk. Volunteers may also be interviewed to determine their interests and levels of experience. Volunteer talents, experience, availability and interests will be considered in job assignments.
Glen Ridge public Library volunteers are bound by the rules contained in all Library policies and guidelines, especially those that relate to patron privacy and confidentiality. Library volunteers are recognized by the public as representatives of the Library and will be guided by the same work and behavior policies as employees. Library volunteers will be familiar with the Library Volunteer Guidelines.

Volunteers work with the status of “at will” employees and the Glen Ridge Public Library ahs the right to terminate the volunteer’s working association with the Library at any time, for any reason. Volunteers working in the Library are covered by the Glen Ridge public Library's Property and Liability Insurance policy.
Volunteers are asked to record their hours of service in the Volunteer Log Book located in the Staff Room. The Library accepts volunteers requiring court ordered community service at the discretion of the Library Director. Court ordered community service volunteers are required to be interviewed by the Library Director prior to being accepted for service.

Volunteers under the age of 18 required to perform service for specific programs are accepted on a short-term basis. Parents/guardians of junior volunteers must sign a consent form for their children to perform volunteer service hours at the Library.

Support Organizations - Friends of the Library

The Friends of the Glen Ridge Library is a 501 (c) 3 registered non profit organization that was established in 1978 in an effort to support the Glen Ridge Public Library through advocacy and fundraising. Since that time, the Friends have sponsored and established many programs, initiatives, and raised funds for various projects to benefit the library and the community.

The Friends have successfully raised awareness and funds for past library renovation and rehabilitation projects in 1993 and 2007. Raised funds in 2012 for the digitization of the library's local history collection and renovation of the Local History Archive Room located on the 3rd floor.
Established an annual Friends of the Library Scholarship for a graduating Glen Ridge senior.
Sponsor the Museum Pass Program which provides residents the ability to visit nearby museums for free.
Host several annual fundraisers such as the Friends of the Library Town-Wide Yard Sale which has become one of NJ's largest town-wide yard sales and Shredding Day which provides the community the opportunity to bulk shred their documents for a suggested donation.
Support the Library's operating budget to enhance services, electronic offerings, programs, and collections.
Partner with the Borough of Glen Ridge on events such as the Holiday Tree Lighting, Selected Shorts, and Shredding Day; and participate in local events such as the Arts Festival/Eco-Fair and National Night Out.

MISSION
The Friends of the Glen Ridge Library's primary goals are to stimulate community awareness and use of the Glen Ridge Public Library and to support the library in developing its services and facilities. To this end, the Friends work to obtain public support for the Library budget; and to encourage gifts, endowments and memorials that provide financial support to the Library.

Circulation Services

Library Cards

Any person wanting to check materials out of the Library must have a valid Glen Ridge Public Library card, BCCLS (Bergen County Cooperative Library System) Card or have a Library Card from a participating ReBL Library. Identification verifying status as a resident, property owner, employee or student of Glen Ridge is required to qualify. The first card issued is free. A $3.00 fee is charged for replacement cards.

Library cards are issued for three years to residents. You will need to show proof of residency when renewing your card.

Acceptable identification:
A valid New Jersey driver’s license
or
New Jersey identification card with current address plus one of the following documents:

Most current property tax bill
Most current utility bill with current address
Most current bank statement with current address

PO Box addresses are not acceptable.

A patron without proper identification will not be issued a Library card.

The patron must be present to receive a Library card.

Children are welcome to have their own Library Card. A parent/legal guardian must come in to obtain a card for their child aged 12 and under and show the above identification. A parent/legal guardian must also have a Glen Ridge Library Card. The parent/legal guardian is responsible for all items taken out on the child’s card.

LOST CARDS
Any items checked out on a lost/stolen card, before notification to the Library of the problem, are the responsibility of the patron whose name appears on the Library card. The fee to replace a lost card is $3.00.

RENEWALS
Renewals vary depending on the item. Items that cannot be renewed are those that have a patron reserve, items that have exceeded their renewals or items on accounts that have accrued late fees more than $10.00. Items borrowed from other BCCLS libraries adhere to the owning Library’s loaning policies. Items borrowed through inter-Library loan can only be renewed if the owning Library’s rule permits it.

NON RESIDENTS WHO WORK OR GO TO SCHOOL IN GLEN RIDGE
Those who do not live in Glen Ridge but work or go to school here are eligible for a Courtesy Card.

COURTESY CARDS
Patrons who work or attend school in a BCCLS town, but do not live in a BCCLS town, may be issued a Courtesy Account. Courtesy patrons are restricted to on-site use at the issuing library. Courtesy Accounts are not permitted access to eBCCLS content. You will need to show proof of employment or schooling when applying and/or renewing your card. Courtesy Cards are issued for one year.

PAYMENT FOR LOST OR DAMAGED MATERIAL
Patrons will be charged the replacement cost based on the current BCCLS unit pricing for any lost material or items damaged beyond repair. If a patron wishes to replace a lost/damaged item, he/she may only do so with the Director’s or Department Supervisor’s permission. A processing fee will apply. The replacement must be a new, unused copy of the latest edition and it must be the identical material type. Audiovisual materials must also be shrink-wrapped. If the lost item is subsequently found and returned by the patron, a refund will not be given. Items lost or damaged while on loan from another Library may not be replaced.

EQUITABLE ACCESS TO LIBRARY MATERIALS
Library materials are a shared resource for the community and are expected to be borrowed for reasonable time lengths to ensure equitable access to all library patrons. The Glen Ridge Public Library can review individual item use by households or individuals should questions arise regarding equitable access. The Library Director can determine based on community interest, scarcity of materials or excessive long term holdings by households or individuals that a violation of this has occurred and can restrict access to material in question for a reasonable time period not to exceed 12 months from date of return.

Upon return, all material must be returned to the collection and may not be immediately reborrowed by the user for 24-hours.

OVERDUE MATERIALS
See the Fines and Fees Policy

RESEARCH FEE FOR OUT-OF-TOWN REQUESTS
If you are unable to visit the Glen Ridge Public Library, the research staff can search for the information you need using the Library’s print and electronic resources. For information not available in the Library, we can attempt to find additional resources.
Depending on the project’s scope and time necessary for staff to devote to your research need, a research fee may be assessed at the discretion of the Director and/Reference Librarian. You will be notified if a fee will apply prior to the search being done. Monetary or time restrictions may be placed on a project. In addition to the time spent searching, you will be charged for time required for retrieving and returning items as well as preparing materials to be sent. You will be billed for search time even if the information/image requested is not found.

Fee: Hourly equivalent of the current fully loaded compensation of professional librarian conducting research plus 50%.

Other applicable charges: Material costs incurred during the research will be billed as well. Examples are but not limited to copies, printing, CDs, postage fees, long distance phone calls, faxing, etc.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees April 11, 2012
Revised February 13, 2019
Revised October 23, 2019

Fines & Fees

A public library exists to serve the community and is based on the concept of sharing resources. When one person violates that principle by retaining materials beyond the established limits, that person takes unfair advantage of the community as a whole. Patrons are encouraged to follow lending loan periods and return materials on time. Upon return, all material must be returned to the collection and may not be immediately borrowed by the user for 24-hours. The Glen Ridge Public Library agrees with the American Library Association policy statement that the “imposition of monetary library fines creates a barrier to the provision of library and information services.”

APPLICATION
This policy applies to Glen Ridge-owned material only. Materials borrowed via BCCLS are still subject to fines.

REGULATIONS

Library materials are available to use free of charge.
Daily overdue charges WILL NOT apply to the items listed below:

PRINT MATERIALS	DEFAULT REPLACEMENT COST FOR MATERIAL (SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT)*
Children’s Books	Varies by type
Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction hardcover books	$35.00
Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction softcover books	$20.00
Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction hardcover books	$35.00
Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction softcover books	$20.00

NON PRINT MATERIALS
Audiobooks	$45.00
Music CDs	$15.00
DVDs	$20.00

*Default replacement fees are used when the exact price is not available. When the exact price is available, the patron will be charged that price. Lost items are also assessed a $5 processing fee.

3.   The library will notify a patron fourteen (14), twenty-eight (28), sixty (60), and ninety (90) days after the items’ due date. Notification is done through email or by postal mail depending on what the patron has selected as his/her notification option. At ninety (90) days, the patron will be issued a bill for the Replacement Cost. This bill will be mailed to the patron at the address on file. It is the patron’s responsibility to notify the library of any changes in their contact information or notification method.

4.   If materials are kept for ninety (90) days past the due date, a lost item replacement fee will be assessed except for the non print materials listed below.

5.   There are no refunds on Replacement Cost payments.

6.   Due to the limited supply of some library materials, daily overdue fees are assessed on some items as prescribed below:

NON PRINT MATERIALS	DAILY OVERDUE FINE	MAXIMUM FEE	DEFAULT REPLACEMENT COST FOR MATERIAL (SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT)
WiFi Hotspot	$5.00	$20.00	$100.00
Museum Passes	$5.00	$20.00	Varies
Library of Things	$5.00	$20.00	Varies

7.   When the maximum fee level shown above has been reached, the item’s status will change and the default Replacement Cost for Material will be charged to the patron’s account.

8. On the day after the due date, all materials will be considered overdue if they have not been renewed or returned. If a patron has ten (10) or more items overdue OR an item more than 45 days overdue their account will be blocked.

9.   No fines will accrue on days that the library is closed.

10.   The library notifies patrons of overdue materials via email or postal mail.

11.   Any unrestricted patron with an account balance of ten dollars ($10) or more, or an unpaid lost item shall forfeit borrowing, renewing, and access to public computers until the charge is below ten dollars ($10). Any restricted (courtesy/ReBL card holder) with an account balance of five dollars ($5) or more, or an unpaid lost item shall forfeit borrowing, renewing, and access to public computers until the charge is below five dollars ($5).

12.   Patrons experiencing unusual difficulty in returning their materials or paying their fines should contact the Library Director.

13.   Patrons should resolve disputed fees before paying them. Once payment has been accepted, refunds will not be issued.

14.   Patrons have the option of paying fines by credit card, cash, money order, or check at the Library. Patrons may also pay from their online library accounts. This option includes a transaction fee assessed by BCCLS for the service. There are no refunds on credit card transactions.

15.   The library will charge fees for certain services such as printing, laminating, notary public, and merchandise.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees - October 23, 2019
Revised by the Library Board of Trustees - March 10, 2021
Revised by the Library Board of Trustees - September 11, 2024

Credit and Debit Card Acceptance Policy

The Glen Ridge Public Library (“Library”) accepts credit and debit cards as a form of payment for fines, fees, or donations by adults aged 18 and older. A third-party provider (Square, Inc.) is used to process the transaction at the Glen Ridge Public Library. Payment via credit/debit card can be made at the main circulation desk.

The types of credit/debit cards accepted by Square, Inc. are: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay. NFC contactless payments are also accepted.

The minimum to use a credit/debit card for payment is $1.00*. The Library requires full payment of any outstanding bills when a patron uses a credit/debit card for payment to the Library.

The following may be paid for via credit/debit card:

Overdue fines
Copies and computer prints
Lost and/or damaged material (Glen Ridge items only)
Donations to the Glen Ridge Public Library. Donations to the Friends of the Library can be made via PayPal on the Library’s website.

SECURITY
The Library reserves the right to refuse service or cancel transactions at any time if fraud or an unauthorized or illegal transaction is suspected. If card and receipt signatures do not match, library staff will ask for government issued photo identification to verify the cardholder.

Unsigned cards will not be accepted.

Completion of a payment transaction is contingent upon both the authorization of payment by the applicable credit card company or financial institution and acceptance of payment by the Library. In the event that a credit/debit card payment is unable to be processed, the patron will be responsible to provide payment via cash or check for all amount due.

PROHIBITED CREDIT/DEBIT CARD ACTIVITIES
The Glen Ridge Public Library prohibits certain credit/debit card activities that include, but are not limited to:

Accepting payment cards for cash advances or cash back
Discounting fines or fees based on the method of payment
Adding a surcharge or additional fee to card transaction
Refunds in excess of the original amount paid
Payments over the phone or via email
Split-tender transactions

PAYMENT RECEIPTS
The patron will receive a paperless receipt by entering your email address during the transaction. A paper receipt will only be provided by library staff upon request.

REFUNDS
When a fine or fee has been paid using a credit/debit card and a refund is necessary, the refund must be credited to the account that was originally charged. Credit/debit card refunds cannot be made more than 60 days after the transaction. Refunds may take up to 14 days to process as per Square, Inc. If a refund is deemed necessary after the 60 days, a refund may be made via check issued by the Library. Refunds are made at the discretion of the supervisor on duty and are subject to approval by the Director.

CHARGEBACKS/DISPUTES
In the event that the Library is notified of a dispute, the Director and Bookkeeper will investigate the transaction and respond as necessary.

PRIVACY STATEMENT
We respect your privacy! Credit/debit card transaction details collected are encrypted at point of swipe. Square, Inc. complies with all required PCI-DSS (PCI-DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards). For more information, please see http://squareup.com/security.

The Glen Ridge Public Library will have access to the last four digits of the credit/debit card number used in the transaction only. The Glen Ridge Public Library does not retain payment card data on the mobile device or within the application. This information will only be used for transaction retrieval. This information is kept private and is not used for any other purpose. Transaction information is available until the Glen Ridge Public Library terminates its account with Square, Inc. For information regarding how Square, Inc. uses your information, refer to the Square privacy policy at https://squareup.com/legal/privacy.

DISCLAIMER
By processing, you agree to accept and assume all risks and responsibilities for the losses and damages that may arise from your use of this payment service and release the Glen Ridge Public Library and the Borough of Glen Ridge from all liability.

Policy approved by the Glen Ridge Library Board of Trustees April 13, 2016
*revised July 11, 2016 as per Square policies

Inter-Library Loans

Recognizing that no Library can meet all the needs of its patrons, the Glen Ridge Public Library provides inter-Library loan services. The Library will request materials for its patrons and supply materials for patrons of other libraries. The Library follows the loaning practices outlined in the BCCLS and JerseyCat Policies and Procedures manual.

The Glen Ridge Public Library considers inter-Library loan requests as circulation records and thus subject to the Library’s policies on Privacy and Confidentiality.

Items received through BCCLS are not subject to fees. Items obtained through other inter-Library loan systems may be subject to a fee at the supplying Library’s discretion. Patrons are responsible for any items that have to be mailed back to the lending library. Patrons are also responsible for any charges made by the supplying Library. Patrons are responsible for payment of any item that is lost or damaged while on loan from another Library.

The inter-Library loan of reference materials, fragile items, new and popular audiovisual materials and books have no guarantee that the requested item will be obtained. The delivery date of an item cannot be guaranteed. Patrons are limited to submitting no more than five requests per household per day.

Patrons will honor any restrictions placed on items by the supplying Library, as well as the due date set by the supplying Library. If an extension of a loan is requested, the Library will make an effort to have the loan period extended. However, there is no guarantee that an extension will be granted and items are subject to recall by the supplying Library.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees April 11, 2012

Laptop Loan

GENERAL USE

A limited number of Chromebooks are available to use while visiting the Glen Ridge Public Library. Chromebooks will be loaned on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved.
Chromebooks will only work while connected to the Library’s WiFi. Chromebooks are available for use inside the Library only.
Patrons from the ages of 18+ can borrow Chromebooks for use in the Library and must leave a current photo ID with an address at the Circulation Desk while the device is being used.
Patrons may borrow a Chromebook for 2 hours. If no other patron is waiting, the current user may use it for up to a total of 3 hours per day. Chromebooks are available for use inside the Library from library opening until 15 minutes before closing time.
Chromebooks must be examined by a library staff member prior to being loaned to a patron.
Patrons will receive a Chromebook and power cord.
Patrons may print using the Library’s wireless printing service.
Patrons will need a pre-existing Google account in order to access Google Docs and Google Drive from the device. Staff cannot create accounts for users.
Patrons will not be able to save work to the Chromebook. Patrons should save their files to a flash drive, personal email or cloud-based service.
All devices must be returned to the Circulation Desk.
Failure to comply with any of the above rules will result in the patron’s library privileges being suspended immediately and/or in the future.
The Library Director reserves the right to limit or restrict library equipment usage.

FEE FOR DAMAGE OR LOSS: The Glen Ridge Public Library reserves the right to charge fees for damage or loss of the Chromebook and/or power cord, up to and including the current replacement cost.

Approved by the Board of Trustees April 11, 2012
Revised September 11, 2014
Revised April 12, 2023

WiFi Mobile Hotspots

In order to promote access to online resources, the Glen Ridge Public Library circulates mobile WiFi Hotspots. Hotspot Internet service is provided by Sprint with unlimited data at 4G LTE speeds. Up to 10 devices may be connected to the Hotspot at once.

ELIGIBILITY
A Hotspot may be checked out by any Glen Ridge resident, 18 years or older, with a valid Glen Ridge Public Library card in good standing. All borrowers must sign this User Agreement.

LOAN PERIOD & CHECKOUT
Reservations for Hotspots are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may be made up to 60 days in advance, either online, by phone, or in person at the Library. Hotspots circulate for a 14-day loan period (no renewals). Only one Hotspot may be borrowed by a household at a time. A cardholder may not borrow a hotspot for 14-days from the system-generated due date, regardless if the borrower brings back a hotspot before it is due. If a reservation is made by the same borrower before the 14-day window has passed, the staff reserves the right to cancel the reservation. You will be notified via email should that occur. Hotspots must be checked out in person at the Glen Ridge Public Library adult circulation desk. Each Hotspot unit circulates in a bag with a micro-USB cord, AC charger with USB port, instruction manual, and copy of this policy. In the event of an emergency where the Library is without LAN and/or wireless Internet, the Library reserves the right to cancel reservations or recall Hotspots in order to provide wireless service at the Library for public use.

RETURNS
Overdue Hotspots will be charged a $2.00 fee per day (max fee $10.00). Hotspots not returned after seven (7) days will be assumed-lost and charged the replacement cost of $100. Hotspots are fragile and must, therefore, be returned at the adult circulation desk and not in the book drops. Patrons will be responsible for damage to the item if it is returned via the book drop.

LOST OR DAMAGED HOTSPOT
The charge for a lost Hotspot is $100. The charge for a damaged Hotspot will be determined by the Library Director. A lost or damaged cord, bag, or charger will be charged at current market replacement cost.

INTERNET USE
The Glen Ridge Public Library is not responsible for information accessed using this device or for personal information shared over the Internet. Hotspot users are encouraged to follow safe Internet practices. The following behaviors can result in the suspension of Hotspot privileges and/or criminal prosecution:

Viewing, displaying or disseminating materials that are judged in accordance with current legal definitions as being obscene
Use of the Internet in any way which violates federal, state, or municipal laws

PRIVACY POLICY
Your Internet usage is not tracked by the Library or the service provider. The Library does not have access to or collect specific usage data. The Library does not provide patron information to the service provider. The only data about the Hotspot program that the Library collects is the

total amount of data transmitted and received by each device during a billing cycle
anonymous circulation data related to checkouts of the Hotspot devices

The Internet service provider for the Hotspot program does not monitor or track the websites that Hotspot users visit or the information that users submit (user names, passwords, credit card information, etc.).

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees on May 10, 2017
Revised November 17, 2018
Revised March 10, 2021

Collections and Information Services

Library Materials Selection

GLEN RIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY

The intent of this policy is to guide the Director and staff in the selection, maintenance and withdrawal of materials and to inform the public/community about the principles upon which selection judgments are made. Since both the collection and the community are constantly changing, the policy will be reviewed for possible revision every five (5) years. The limitations caused by budgets, changes in population, commercial activities, technological innovations, collections of other institutions, crucial needs in certain areas at times, and other unforeseeable situations are definite factors to be considered and monitored.

OBJECTIVES
The goal of the Library is to provide a well-balanced and broad collection of materials for all age groups, diverse types of material based on demand of patrons, and materials for the education and recreation of the community. This goal is augmented by the Library’s membership in the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) which provides access to the collections of its member libraries via reciprocal borrowing and lending. Other requests for unique materials are gotten from JerseyCat, New Jersey’s statewide interlibrary loan system.

RESPONSIBILITY
The responsibility for selection and withdrawal rests with the Library Director, and other designated employees, who operate within the framework of policies determined by the Library Board of Trustees.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Basic to this policy is the Library Bill of Rights as adopted by the American Library Association The Library Bill of Rights 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.
All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Responsibility of the reading habits of children rests with the child’s parent(s) or legal guardians. Selection should not be inhibited by the possibility that books may inadvertently come into the possession of children.

Selection of material of a sexual nature should be made on the basis of whether a book presents life in its true proportions, whether characters and situations are realistically presented, and whether the book has literary value.

SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES
In selecting materials for purchase, adding gift materials or when items are being evaluated for retention or replacement, the following criteria is taken into consideration:

Accuracy and impartiality
Attention of critics, reviews, and the public
Subject matter
Cost
Currency of information
Local importance and/or historical value
Reputation of the author or publisher
Quality of organization, readability, and style
Uniqueness or special features
Advance notices and pre-publication announcements supplied by publishers and professional reviewing services
Physical condition of the item and space limitations
Duplication of material already in the Library
Availability of material in nearby libraries, if local interest is limited to small or specialized groups

Suggestions for purchase from the general public are always given serious consideration using the above criteria.

Non-book materials will be governed by the same principles and criteria applied to book purchases, including all media, realia, and electronic sources.

The Library accepts gifts that will be added to the collection if they meet the same standards as those required of purchased materials.

The Library will not acquire textbooks or other curriculum-related materials unless such materials also serve the general public.

WITHDRAWAL OF MATERIAL
Weeding is selection in reverse and enhances the reputation and reliability of the collection. Discarding or weeding of materials is the best and most economical utilization of space.
Materials may be withdrawn on the basis of the following:

Condition - worn, damaged, or soiled items
Currency - materials containing obsolete or inaccurate information
Demand - items no longer used
The Library also follows guidelines as described in CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries

DISPOSAL OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
This policy safeguards that withdrawn Library materials are disposed of in an orderly and legal manner, and identifies disposal methods.
The Board of Trustees of the Glen Ridge Public Library authorizes the Library Director, or designee(s), to withdraw and dispose of Library materials.
In order to maintain a collection of materials that best serves the community, the Library must periodically withdraw Library materials (books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, etc.) from the collection for a variety of reasons according to Library best practices.
Withdrawn Library materials will be disposed of accordingly:

Withdrawn materials will be made available to the Friends of the Glen Ridge Public Library at their request.
Withdrawn materials will be made available to the public in a variety of ways.
- In the Library building
- Provided to local teachers and schools at their request
- Distributed to various “little free libraries” or other book distribution sites
- Other methods as available, approved by the Library Director
If the withdrawn materials cannot be used or donated they will be recycled or discarded.

OBJECTION TO MATERIAL

In all instances the Library defends the principles of the ALA Freedom to Read Statement and the use of Library materials. No materials are judged on the basis of the author’s race, nationality, or political, social, or religious beliefs. Materials are judged as entire works, not on isolated passages or selections.

Glen Ridge Residents with a current (non-expired) Glen Ridge Public Library card may request reconsideration of a book previously selected by use of the Request for Evaluation of Library Materials form.

REQUEST FOR EVALUATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
Glen Ridge residents with a valid (non-expired) Glen Ridge Library card who want to file a complaint regarding Library materials will be asked to fill out the Request for Evaluation of Library Materials form (see below). Requests for Evaluation may be placed only by individual residents. Organizations or groups are not eligible to file Request for Evaluation of Library Materials forms on behalf of their members.

The Director, or a member of the staff designated by the Director, will review the Request for Evaluation of Library Materials form(s) taking into consideration the Library Materials Selection Policy and review sources. The Director will respond to the patron in writing within thirty days of the date of receipt of the completed Request for Evaluation of Library Materials form(s). Accompanying the decision will be copies of relevant reviews, the Library Materials Selection Policy, the Library Bill of Rights, and/or the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements. The Director will provide the Library Board with a copy of the completed Request for Evaluation of Library Materials form(s) and the written response(s).

The decision of the Director may be appealed by the person submitting the Request for Evaluation of Library Materials form(s) in writing to the Library Board within thirty (30) days after initial receipt of the Director’s decision. The Board will evaluate in an open meeting the work according to criteria in the Library Materials Selection Policy within three Board meetings from the date the appeal is received. After the evaluation, the Library Board will notify the patron by mail of its decision. All decisions by the Board are final.

Until such review takes place and a decision is made, no removal or restriction of the questioned item(s) shall take place. Additional challenges to a title the Board of Trustees has made an appeal decision on will not be accepted for thirty-six months from the date of initial Board review.
Request for Evaluation of Library Materials

Approved by the Glen Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees on 1/11/23

Gifts to the Library

The Glen Ridge Free Public Library welcomes gifts, grants, donations and bequests from individuals, organizations, companies, or agencies. All items donated to the Library are tax deductible to the extent that the law allows. The Library is exempt from New Jersey sales and use taxes, pursuant to Section 9 (a) (1) of the New Jersey Sales and Use Tax Act (N.J.S.A. 54:32B-1, et. Seq.). An exempt organization certificate or number is not required for the Glen Ridge Free Public Library to accept donations that are tax-deductible. No goods, services or other compensation will be given in exchange for any donation.

Bequests, cash donations, securities or other contributions are gladly accepted, provided there are no conditions or restrictions with which the Library cannot comply. According to State law; stocks, bonds and other securities will be liquidated and funds will be deposited into library accounts.
The Library welcomes corporate, foundation, or other matching gifts. Any required forms or reports will be completed as required.
Contributions in any amount to purchase items for the collection are welcomed. The Library’s Buy-a-Book program allows donors to contribute $25.00 or more toward the purchase of books or other items in honor of a person or event, or as a memorial gift. Donated books or items for the collection will bear a gift plate.
New or used books will be accepted with the understanding that they may be used for the Library collection, sent to other libraries/agencies, put in the book sale, or discarded. The Library does not accept used books or other materials which are soiled, in poor condition or outdated. Textbooks, condensed books, magazines and obsolete media are not accepted.
Other items, including but not limited to, furniture, artworks, decorations, supplies, computer equipment or software may be accepted or declined at the discretion of the Library Director, with advice from the staff and Board of Trustees as needed. Appropriateness to the Library collection; timeliness; relation to the Library’s services; space; condition; and restrictions placed by the donor will be considered before accepting or declining a gift.
Once accepted, an item becomes the property of Glen Ridge Free Public Library and disposition will be at the discretion of the Library Director and Board of Trustees. The Library reserves the right to de-accession any gift without consulting the donor.

Approved by the Board of Trustees 11-27-00
Revised 5-8-06
Revised 04-10-24

Library of Things

Overview
The Library of Things is a collection of items for loan that expands the boundaries of traditionally defined library materials. A natural evolution of the library’s existing lending model, this collection supplements the library's approach to meeting the needs of our diverse and growing community. It supports the "sharing economy" and Glen Ridge's sustainability efforts, as patrons sharing items means less waste. The collection also offers an opportunity to "try before you buy," to save money, and to test out something you might not have come across otherwise. With this collection, the Glen Ridge Public Library aims to offer the physical tools needed to support lifelong learning and creativity, and provide new ways for kids and adults to interact and explore. The collection supports the library’s strategic plan to expand access and further establish the library as a community center. Patrons who borrow a Thing agree to abide by the Glen Ridge Library’s Library of Things lending guidelines below.

Types of Materials Included in Collection
The purpose of the Library of Things is to provide diverse opportunities for learning and engagement. To further this goal, the Library of Things may include:

Arts and Crafts, such as a sewing machine and yarn ball winder
Household Tools, such as a Kill-A-Watt meter and a hotspot (internet service)
Audiovisual Equipment, such as a portable record player, analog to digital conversion equipment, and Rokus
Instruments, such as an acoustic guitar and ukulele
Science and Technology Kits, such as a microscope, telescope, simple robotics, and beginner computer programming kits
Games such as video games, puzzles, outdoor games,
Outdoor recreation, such as metal detector and binoculars
Museum Passes

The Library of Things is not intended to be comprehensive and the library is limited by a finite amount of storage space for these items.

Borrowing
A valid adult Glen Ridge Library Card (age 18 and older) in good standing, i.e., no outstanding fines/fees or overdue material, must be used to borrow an item in the Library of Things. Due to the limited availability of items in the Library of Things, patrons may borrow up to two (2) different items at a time per library card. Borrowers are required to check out and return Library of Things items to the desk at which the Thing was borrowed. Items may not be checked out using self-check or returned to the book drop or another library.
Unless noted, most items are loaned for seven (7) days with no renewals. Late items incur a fee of $5.00 per day with a max fee of $20.00. Museum Passes will incur a $5.00 per day fee (max $20.00). Unreturned items will be charged the replacement fee of the item/pass in question. Items must be available to other patrons for at least 24 hours before placing an additional reservation on the same item.
Borrowers who return LOT items late more than three times during a twelve month period may have their LOT borrowing privileges suspended or revoked. The success of this collection relies on materials being returned on time so that the next borrower can have the item as reserved. Patrons who habitually cannot return items within their allotted time negatively impact other patrons and therefore will not be eligible for borrowing for a period determined by the Director.
Borrowers must reserve Things through the reservation software available on the library’s website. If patrons do not have access to a computer or the internet, patrons may contact the library to make a reservation. The card used to make the reservation must be present at the time of checkout.
Borrowers who do not cancel or pick up their reserved items within 24 hours of their reservation time more than three times during a twelve month period may have their LOT borrowing privileges suspended or revoked. Patrons who habitually do not pick up their items on time negatively impact other patrons and therefore will not be eligible for borrowing for a period determined by the Director.
Not all library materials may be suitable for all members of the community. Responsibility for a child’s use of library materials, regardless of format or content, lies with the parent or guardian, not with the library.
Procurement of Materials
The library staff will select materials for the Library of Things based on the needs and interests of library patrons. The library welcomes input from the community concerning the collection. A suggestion for purchase procedure enables users to request that a particular item or subject be purchased by the library. All suggestions for purchase are evaluated using the same selection criteria as for other materials and are not automatically added to the collection. The Suggest a Thing for Purchase form is available on our website.
Due to limited storage space and the staff time necessary to evaluate, test and maintain each Thing, the library can accept only a limited number of donations. The library does not accept materials that are not outright gifts, and cannot guarantee the permanence of a gift in the collection. Materials donated to the library are received with the understanding that they are subject to the same selection, evaluation and disposal criteria as material acquired for purchase. To suggest a donation please email [email protected] with a description of the Thing and your contact information.
Proper Use and Liability
Use care when handling the Thing. The borrower is solely responsible for the Thing and will be billed for reasonable repair or replacement costs associated with damage or loss of Things and/or peripherals due to neglect or abuse. A list of replacement costs of Things is maintained by the Library and is labeled on each item.
The Glen Ridge Library is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that may occur from use of a Thing.
The responsibility to protect against loss is the borrower’s. Staff will inspect Things upon return. Borrowers are expected to return the Thing with all parts and components in the original library container to the department where the item was borrowed. Items must be returned clean and ready for the next user. Items that are returned in an unacceptable condition will be charged a $10 cleaning fee. Patrons will be responsible for any damage to a Thing while in their possession.
Evaluation of Collections
The library will use circulation data and community suggestions to guide future selections for the Library of Things collection. Items that are not popular and do not circulate will be withdrawn from library collections according to the Withdrawal of Material portion of the Collection Development Policy.

Library's Use of Things
The library reserves the right to take a Thing out of circulation without notice to use for library purposes (workshops, demonstrations, or other programs), or to repair a damaged item.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees April 5, 2021
Revised June 30, 2021
Revised September 11, 2024

Patron Services

Internet and Computer Use

Internet and Computer Use Policy
The Glen Ridge Free Public Library, as part of its mission to provide access to educational and informational resources, has public Internet workstations and wireless Internet service available in Adult and Children’s areas. Consistent with the Library's mission and with professional principles of public librarianship, this Internet Use Policy affirms the safeguarding of First Amendment rights, intellectual freedom, and equity of access, confidentiality of information about users and their use of information resources. All users are expected to comply with the guidelines in this policy and use electronic resources in the same responsible and courteous manner that is expected for all Library materials and services. Abuse or misuse of any Library materials are prohibited by Glen Ridge Municipal Code section 2.60.030.

Public Internet computers are principally for use by Glen Ridge residents with a valid Glen Ridge Public Library card. Courtesy use of Library computers is extended to valid cardholders from other BCCLS member libraries, but session time may be limited if Glen Ridge cardholders are waiting. Likewise, out-of-town visitors may request a guest pass to use Internet computers if no Glen Ridge residents are waiting. They are also expected to abide by all rules and regulations in this policy.

The Library Internet computers have software installed that will log a user on for a set time period. Current time limits are set for a defined amount of time per user per day. Time extensions will not be granted even if computers are available. Only under extenuating circumstances may a user receive extra time and will only be granted at the discretion of the supervisor on duty.

Guests and out-of-town users are limited to one guest pass per day as outlined below. Guest users without a BCCLS Library card may be asked to show a driver’s license or some other form of identification.

Users are expected to work independently and have basic knowledge of computer and Internet use. Staff may assist users for specific questions, but are not trained to provide extended or in-depth tech support. Basic word processing software is available on each public desktop computer. Staff can offer a user general help with word processing, but cannot help compose personal documents or research papers. At certain busy times, users may be asked to wait for help or a staff member may not be able to assist a user based on the in-depth nature of their request.

Each guest pass user will be entitled to one 60-minute pass per day.

There is a workstation in the Adult area dedicated to searching the Library catalog only.
Those using the computer are only permitted to use one valid Library Card. Patrons may not add extra time by logging in with another person’s Library Card after exhausting time on their own card. In addition, a user may not request a guest pass after exhausting the time on their Library Card.
USE OF COMPUTERS BY MINOR CHILDREN
The New Jersey Library Association affirms the right of all users to have unrestricted access to the Internet and acknowledges the right of parents to determine the level of Internet access for their minor children. Parents or caregivers of minor children are expected to supervise their child's Internet sessions. Internet computers in the Children’s Room are solely for use by children up to and including Grade 6. Parents or guardians are solely responsible for what their children access via the Internet. As stated above, no filtering software has been installed on any Library computers or on the wireless network. Parents are cautioned that unsupervised children may see things that the parent finds objectionable. Children should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver or should be provided with parental guidelines for Internet use. The Library staff cannot be responsible for determining what is acceptable for children, but may intervene if a child violates general policies or procedures. Children in Grades 7-12 may use the Internet computers in the Adult Department, with the understanding that Library employees do not assume the role of a parent or caregiver in determining what is and is not acceptable to view. Again, staff may intervene if a child violates general policies or procedures.
EMAIL
The Library allows the general public access to email (electronic mail) through the use of the Library's computer equipment and Internet connection. The Library does not endorse or promote any email provider. Staff will make reasonable efforts to answer email related questions, but cannot be expected to be knowledgeable about the variety of systems and accounts available. The Library is not responsible for providing users with email accounts or assisting users with personal accounts. The Library has no control over the content of messages a user receives. Any illegal email activity may be reported to the appropriate authorities in accordance with the computer use policy. All policies governing acceptable use of Internet sites shall apply to email. Because Internet sites are often part of e-mail messages, users may access those sites, provided they comply with the general Internet use policy established by the Library. Parents of minors shall be responsible for their child's activities and e-mail access.
LICENSED DATABASES
A wide variety of subscription and research databases, including those with full-text of magazine and newspaper articles, are available for public use free of charge. Library staff will do their best to guide users to the most useful sites or databases, but cannot guarantee that requested information is available or can be accessed without cost to the user.

Some databases are available for remote use outside of the Library to users with a valid borrower’s card. As with all information on the Internet, the Library cannot guarantee accuracy of information of subscription databases or research sites accessed remotely.

OFFENSIVE OR ILLEGAL MATERIAL
Internet computers are located in public places shared by people of all ages, backgrounds and sensibilities. Users are asked to keep this in mind when accessing potentially controversial material which could be offensive, disturbing, unsuited to a public setting and/or illegal. Library staff may end an Internet session when such materials display on the screen. Although constant monitoring is not possible, the Library staff reserves the right to request that a user exit a website if another user expresses concern or if the staff member judges the material to be inappropriate for public viewing. Since workstations are located in public areas, the Library staff are confident that individuals will use sound judgment as to what is acceptable to fellow community members. Individuals who become argumentative or refuse to log-off when asked to do so by a Library employee, will have their session ended and may be asked to leave the building. Violators of the computer use policy may lose Library privileges. Illegal acts involving Library workstations may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.
PRINTING
Print-outs will be charged at 20 cents per page for black and white and 50 cents per page color. Additional charges may apply for double-sided or alternate sized printouts (legal, ledger, etc.) Patrons may not use their own paper in the Library’s printer.
The Library’s printing services are meant to assist patrons in the printing of basic print jobs such as research papers, emails, boarding passes, etc. The Library’s printing services are not meant to replace a traditional printer or business center. The Library cannot assist patrons in printing more than five print jobs or more than 50 pages per user per day, as this puts an undue burden on Library staff and hampers their ability to assist other users. Library staff can direct patrons on how to use the Library’s copier/printer but it is not their responsibility to make copies and prints for patrons on demand. Print jobs that are sent via email or via the Library’s Mobile Printing service will not be printed until the patron has arrived to pick up the job. A maximum of fifty-pages per user per day will be printed by library staff.
DISCLAIMER
The Library cannot monitor or control information available on the Internet and is not responsible for its quality, accuracy or content. Users access the Internet and the information and services available on it at their own risk. The Library staff is not trained to offer more than basic computer assistance, but every effort will be made to assist an individual user in finding suitable information or appropriate Internet sites. The Library will continue to purchase books on the Internet and computer use for the circulating collection. Library staff will work to ensure that fair and reasonable access to the Internet is available to all users. However, the Library reserves the right for staff to terminate a session that is disruptive to Library service. All users are expected to use this resource in a responsible, courteous manner, and observe rules and procedures for Internet and computer use.
The Library supports a user’s right to privacy within the limits of conducting activities in a public building and as permissible by law. Because Internet security can be technically difficult to achieve or guarantee, a user should be aware that electronic communications and files could become public. The Library will not be responsible for any personal information a user willingly posts or transmits. Users may bring their own laptop or other electronic equipment for use in the Library, with the understanding that they will follow the guidelines in this policy. The Library will not be responsible for damage or theft of personal equipment. Electric outlets are located in many areas, but will be used at an owner's own risk.
USER RESPONSIBILITIES
Patrons utilizing the Internet computers to play games, send emails, use social networking sites or chat rooms may be asked by the Library staff to end their session if another patron needs to conduct research and no other computers are available. The search for materials and information takes precedence over all other activities. Any problems with the computers should be immediately reported to a Library staff member. A user is not permitted, under any circumstances, to tamper with or modify the equipment or software. Any damage to hardware or software will be the liability of the user, and will be repaired at their expense. Two (2) persons may work together at a single computer station ONLY if it does not disturb those working at stations next to them. Users should respect the privacy of others and should not interfere with searches, nor should anyone attempt to gain access to passwords, data, or files belonging to others. Data, files, programs or other material may be temporarily downloaded and will be erased from the hard drive when a user exits the session. Users may transfer information to flash drives or e-mail information. All computer use shall cease at least fifteen (20) minutes prior to the closing of the Library. Scheduling software will automatically shut down computers. The Library does not maintain any record of individuals using the Internet, but may keep a record of users who violate the Internet Use Policy.
The Library reserves the right to modify the policies as necessary to ensure the fair and reasonable use of the Internet.
Adopted by the Glen Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees 4.20.98
Revised 12.12.01, Revised and updated 12.15.09, Revised 9.14.11, Revised 4.11.12, Revised 3.11.15, Revised 6.30.20, Revised 2.13.24, Revised 9.11.24

Confidentiality of Library Records

The Board of Trustees of the Glen Ridge Free Public Library believes that it is the basic right of every individual to have access to any information he or she wishes without fear of censure or legal consequence.

It also affirms the right of every person to privacy. Library employees and officers will do all within their power to protect each user's right to privacy with respect to all information required for registration and for information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed or acquired.

Library employees shall respect the privacy of library users and only discuss personal information with the individual user, or, in the case of minor children, the parent or guardian responsible for library materials borrowed or used by that minor child. An individual’s use of a public computer in the Library shall be accorded the same privacy as materials owned by the Library.

Records required for registration, materials consulted, borrowed or acquired will not be made available to any individual, organization or government agency except pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:73-43.2 which reads:

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; or
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, s. 2, eff. May 31, 1985
NOTE: NJ Open Public Records Act does not supersede NJSA 18A:73-43:2

Procedure:

The library staff member receiving the request to examine or obtain information relating to circulation or other records identifying the names of library users must immediately refer the person making the request to the responsible officer of the institution, who shall explain the confidentiality policy.
The director, or designated officer of the institution, upon receipt of a search warrant, subpoena issued by a court, or a court order, shall contact the president of the library board and an attorney who is familiar with library law to determine if such search warrant, subpoena issued by a court, or court order is in good form and if there is a showing of good cause for its issuance.
If the search warrant, subpoena issued by a court, or a court order is not in proper form or if good cause has not been shown, the library with advice of its attorney should insist that such defects be cured before any records are released.
The legal process requiring the production of circulation or other library records is ordinarily in the form of a subpoena duces tecum (bring your records) requiring the responsible library officer to attend court or to provide testimony at his or her deposition. It also may require him or her to bring along certain designated circulation or other specified records.
Staff should be trained and required to report any threats or unauthorized demands (e.g., those not supported by a search warrant, subpoena issued by a court, or a court order) concerning circulation and other records to the director, or other designated officer of the institution.
Any problems relating to the privacy of circulation and other records identifying the names of library users that are not provided for above shall be referred to the director or other designated officer of the institution.

Adapted from the NJLA Confidentiality of Library Records Statement
Approved by the Glen Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees, date 4.20.2010

Patron Code of Conduct

The Library Board of Trustees for the Glen Ridge Public Library has the authority to establish reasonable rules pertaining to the usage of the Glen Ridge Public Library (hereafter “Library”), as well as the right to exclude any person who willfully violates them. The purpose of this policy is to express the roles and responsibilities patrons have to ensure the library’s physical and virtual spaces are welcoming, safe and secure. Public Library spaces are precious community assets that rely on the stewardship, mutual support, and goodwill of all. In order to allow all patrons to make maximum use of the Library during regularly scheduled hours and to provide a safe, suitable environment for the specific purposes or reading, studying, attending programs and using Library materials and resources, all patrons are required to comply with the following Code of Conduct. Patrons are participants in a shared, public use environment and must conduct themselves accordingly. They will be courteous, considerate, and understanding of Library patrons and staff.
Patrons shall not violate any Federal, State, County, or local statute or ordinance.

DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE
The Code of Conduct shall apply to the building, interior and exterior, and all grounds controlled and operated by the Glen Ridge Public Library Board of Trustees (hereafter “premises”) and to all persons entering in and on the premises.
The Code of Conduct has a threefold purpose:

To protect the rights and safety of Library patrons,
To protect the rights and safety of Library staff members and volunteers, and
To preserve and protect the Library’s materials, facilities and property.

TO MAINTAIN PERSONAL SAFETY, PLEASE DO NOT:

Leave any child unattended under the age of eight*), or any other person who needs care unattended in the Library without adult supervision. Libraries are public places and the Library cannot serve in loco parentis (in place of parents). Caregivers and attendants are responsible to remain available for the personal and/or special needs of those entrusted in their care. The Library cannot be responsible for any consequences of caregivers forfeiting their responsibilities. *See Safe Child Policy.
Request staff to protect or monitor personal belongings. The Library is not responsible for personal property. Personal items left by patrons who are not present on Library premises are subject to disposal. For security purposes, do not leave bags unattended.
Film, photograph, or interview patrons within the Library, unless approved by the Library Director. Approved filming or photography should not interfere with Library operations or patrons’ rights to privacy.
Smoke, carry, or possess any lighted tobacco, or use any tobacco product or electronic smoking device in the Library.
Possess, sell, distribute, consume, or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances in the Library as defined by N.J.S.A. 24:21-2.
Bring animals into the Library building except those in Library programming, service animals (as defined by ADA law), or animals used by law enforcement agencies.
Fail to wear appropriate attire, including shoes and shirt.
Bring bicycles, scooters, roller skates, or other types of transportation in the Library building. The only modes of transportation allowed inside the building are individual devices needed by the handicapped, baby carriages, or strollers.

TO PRESERVE A PEACEFUL AND PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT, PLEASE DO NOT:

Harass and/or act abusive, in any manner, towards other Library patrons and staff.
Interfere with the free passage of Library staff or patrons in or on the Library premises.
Engage in disruptive conduct including loud talking to others or in monologues, rude language, making noise, singing, running, pushing, fighting, staring at another person with the intent to annoy, or inappropriate, lewd and/or immoral conduct. This also includes the use of loud, offensively coarse and/or abusive language.
Engage in sexual activity, contact, or assault or any act of lewdness or exposure prohibited by N.J.S.A. 2c:14-1, including, but not limited to, the physical manipulation or touching of a person, or the person’s intimate parts through a person’s clothing, and other physical contact or sexual activity which is inappropriate in a public space.
Use computers and/or the internet to display sexually explicit and/or lewd materials, including, but not limited to materials which are obscene, pornographic and/or inappropriate or harmful to minors.
Panhandle or solicit. Solicitation of contributions or signatures and the conducting of surveys except those directly relating to the Library are prohibited unless approved by the Director or the Library Board of Trustees.
Petition, canvass, or sell merchandise anywhere on Library premises unless approved by the Director or Library Board of Trustees.
Carry a weapon into the Library, unless authorized by law.
Sleep in or on Library premises.
Loiter on Library premises, thereby creating a nuisance to those who are trying to enter or exit the building or use Library resources.
Possess bodily hygiene so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to others.
Pose a health risk due to personal hygiene or conduct.
Place personal belongings including but not limited to, backpacks, large bags, suitcases, shopping carts or other items on or against the building, furniture, equipment or fixtures in a manner that interferes with the library staff or patron use of the Library facility.
Use electronic devices in a manner that disrupts others. Cell phones must be set to silent or vibrate mode. The use of cell phones is permitted, provided such use does not disturb others. Headphones must be used when listening to sound on a library computer or personal device.
Engage in any other activities that are inconsistent with those activities normally associated with the use of public library facilities that include reading, studying and using library materials.

TO PROTECT OUR FACILITY AND HOLDINGS, PLEASE DO NOT:

Steal, damage, deface, destroy, or vandalize Library materials, premises, supplies, or equipment. Any materials removed from the Library must be checked out in accordance with established procedures. No person shall purposely conceal Library materials on their persons or among their belongings. Library personnel may inspect briefcases, handbags, and other packages to assure compliance with Library policies. N.J.S.A. 2c: 20-14.
Abuse or disregard Library loaning policies including, failure to pay fines and fees. All Library material shall be returned in accordance with the terms of the loan.
Misuse the restroom, e.g. as a laundry, or bathing facility, or willfully clog plumbing.
Take Library materials into the restroom.
Move, rearrange, or misuse furniture or equipment. No person shall climb on or place their feet or shoes on furniture, sit on arms of chairs, or lay down on the furniture. Furniture shall not be moved without the express permission of Library personnel.
Enter non-public areas without permission.
Remain inside the Library before or after posted hours of operation.
Drink or eat near Library computers and equipment, or in the Local History Archive and Research Area. Eat in designated areas only. Drinks must be in covered containers. Properly dispose of trash.
Manipulate or/interfere with Library computers, Internet reservations, and/or print management systems.
Violate the Library’s Computer and Internet Use Policy.
Conduct unapproved meetings or fail to adhere to proper Library procedures for reserving the meeting room.

ENFORCEMENT
Library personnel will enforce the above rules. Library patrons violating any of these rules may be asked to leave by the staff member in charge and are subject to immediate loss of library privileges and/or legal proceeding, which may include police intervention and arrest. Refusal to leave when properly directed may result in arrest and prosecution for trespassing. Library personnel shall maintain written documentation of all violations of the Code of Conduct detailing the person cited for the violation and the time, date and nature of the violation.

SANCTIONS AND APPEAL PROCESS
Long term loss (suspension or revocation) of library privileges shall be determined by the Library Director through written notice, to be delivered in person within the Library and/or sent by certified mail to the patron’s last known address. A violation of the law may result in arrest and prosecution.
Patrons who wish to appeal their loss of privileges may submit a written letter of appeal to the Library Director within ten (10) days of the Director’s notice. Written appeals shall be promptly forwarded to the President of the Glen Ridge Library Board of Trustees, who will convene a committee and make a determination within thirty (30) days. The decision of the President’s Committee is final.

Revised by the Library Board of Trustees on June 30, 2020
Revised May 27, 2021 to remove COVID-19-specific rules

Safe Child Policy

The safety of children left alone in the Library is a serious concern of the Library staff. The staff, however, has many duties to perform in order to serve all patrons. Library staff cannot monitor the behavior and safety of children while in the Library. The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the Library rests with the parent/caregiver and not with the Library staff.

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied and closely supervised at all times by a responsible caregiver (14 years or older). If a child under the age of 8 is attending a Library program, a parent/caregiver must be in the building and aware of the location and behavior of their child.

Children ages 8 and older may use the Library unattended for an amount of time appropriate for their age and maturity provided that they comply with all Library rules and the Patron Code of Conduct. Parents/caregivers are still, however, responsible for the behavior of their children. If children do not comply with Library rules and the Patron Code of Conduct, Library staff may ask them to leave the Library and the police may be contacted. If a child of this age group is not able to leave the Library without an adult, they should not be in the Library alone. Children must also have the phone number of a parent/caregiver that may be contacted in an emergency.

UNATTENDED CHILDREN AFTER CLOSING TIME
The Library is not responsible for children without a ride home at closing. Library staff will exercise appropriate procedures to ensure the safety of unattended children when the Library is closing.

Parents/caregivers are responsible for being aware of the Library’s hours of operation. Parents/caregivers must also keep in mind that the Library may close unexpectedly for reasons out of the control of staff, such as a power outage, loss of heat, inclement weather, etc. Children should know what to do should this occur. Library staff cannot give rides to any child.

If no ride has arrived within 15 minutes after closing time the staff will call the Glen Ridge Police Department. Two Library staff members will wait for the Police with the child.
Staff will record the parent’s/caregiver’s name, address, telephone number and the child’s name.
Once found, the parent/caregiver will be given a copy of the Safe Child Policy.
Staff will refer any additional incidents to the Police Department.

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS
The Library may have sudden emergencies such as lack of heat or electricity. This may necessitate the Library closing without warning. Significant inclement weather may also necessitate the Library closing. Children should know what to do if the Library must close unexpectedly. If a child is left unattended during an emergency closing, then the same guidelines outlined above under regularly scheduled closings will apply.

Violation of the Safe Child Policy may result in suspension of Library privileges for the family.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, September 13, 2023.

Child Reported Lost or Missing

CHILD REPORTED LOST OR MISSING
If a parent/caregiver reports a child missing, library staff will follow this procedure:

Obtain name, age and physical description, including clothing and shoes, of the child. Ask where and when did you see the child last? How extensively have you looked for your child?
If the missing child alert begins in the Children’s Department, notify the Main Desk and administrative staff. All employees, but the desk person, will immediately stop working and look for the child.
Begin a Lock-Down: Library staff will monitor all entrances to ensure the child does not leave the premises. Staff will request all people attempting to leave the building remain within the library and will request any people attempting to enter to remain outside. Direct service will be suspended while these procedures are in process. Check all areas of the library including restrooms, offices/non-public areas, outside grounds, etc.
If the child is found and appears to have been lost and unharmed, reunite the child with the searching family member. Inform all staff members the child has been found and police, if already notified. Cancel the Lock-Down. Inform Director of incident if he/she is not present.
A staff member will quickly search immediate area accompanying parent/guardian or caregiver. If child is NOT found within 10 minutes proceed to step 6.
The senior staff member on duty will call police on library phones ext. 111 and request immediate police assistance for a missing child at the Glen Ridge Public Library. Library staff will wait with parents/guardians for Glen Ridge police to arrive and then assist the responding officer as requested.
If any staff member(s) encounter a suspect with the missing child, other than the parent/caregiver, library staff should use reasonable measures to delay the exit of the suspect and child without placing themselves or the child at risk. Library staff should obtain and immediately record a full description of the suspect, including the make, model and license number of the vehicle (if any) and direction of travel and pass this information onto the police.
Inform Director and document the incident.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees November 12, 2014

Meeting Room Rules

The use of the Meeting Room of the Library for scheduled Library purposes shall have priority over all other uses or applications for its use by others.
Scheduling of Meeting Room usage is subject to the following priority order:

Library and Friends of the Library;
Non-profit Glen Ridge organizations.

The Meeting Room is available for public gatherings of organizations engaged in educational, cultural, intellectual, or charitable activities. It may not be used for the commercial benefit of private individuals or organizations where fees are charged or goods or services are sold.

An application for the use of the Meeting Room signed by a duly elected or appointed officer of the organization shall be submitted to the Director of the Library at least four (4) weeks prior to the date for which use of the Meeting Room is requested. An application (Appendix E) shall be considered granted when signed by the Director or other authorized representative of the Board of Trustees. The signed copy shall constitute the permit. In case of any emergency, such as a severe snow storm, it is the responsibility of the permittee to determine whether or not the event should be canceled and, if this is so, the Library should be notified before 4:00 p.m. The Library will notify the applicant if an emergency closes the Library premises.

The Meeting Room can only be used during the assigned time. One half-hour will be allowed before and after the meeting for setup and clean up. The Room must be left in the same condition as found at the beginning of the meeting. Chairs and tables must be returned to their original arrangement. Program activities may not interfere with the work of the Library.

A group must give adequate notice when canceling a meeting (72 hours if weather is not a reason). Failure to do so may jeopardize future bookings. Fees for canceled meetings are not refundable.

Children’s and youth groups may use the Meeting Room, provided they are supervised by one or more of the organization’s adult leaders, who assume responsibility.

Taping or in any way attaching signs, posters or other materials to the walls is expressly prohibited.

Groups may not store any items at the Library.

The organization using the room agrees that it will pay for all damages to any property of the Library resulting directly or indirectly from the conduct of anyone present at the meeting.

The signer of the application will be responsible.

No meetings, function, or activity shall continue past Library closing including clean-up time.

Alcoholic beverages may be permitted only with prior approval of the Library Board of Trustees following all applicable laws*.

Smoking and any illegal activities are expressly prohibited*.

Maximum capacity for the Meeting Room is 25*.

Groups using the room may neither charge an admission nor solicit money for any purpose. All meetings, functions or activities shall be open to the public. Any person seeking admission shall be admitted provided that the room capacity is not exceeded.

Materials such as brochures, which are distributed at the meeting, must include the name of the organization sponsoring the meeting. The Library neither endorses nor sponsors gatherings other than those which are official Library programs. Neither the name not the address of the Library may be used as the official address or headquarters of an organization.

Any materials, equipment or rubbish left after the use of the Meeting Room or any part of the Library shall be removed. If not removed within 12 hours, the cost of removal will be required from the applicant.

All Library property is made available conditional upon the good behavior of users of the Library facilities. If any Library rules or these regulations are violated, or if any property of the Library is damaged by the permittee or its guests, whether by carelessness or negligence, the Board of Trustees may, in its discretion, deny or reject future applications by the permittee.

Library sponsored programs and Friends of the Library programs are exempt from these regulations except for those marked with an asterisk.

A Library Board-appointed employee must be in attendance at all times when the building is open. Keys to the building must be retained by this employee after regular hours.

This policy becomes effective January 1, 1994
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, December 7, 1993
Revised April 11, 2012

Meeting Room Application

Video Surveillance and Recording

Purpose
Selected areas of the library are equipped with video cameras for the protection and safety of patrons, employees, assets, property, and to identify persons breaking the law or violating the library’s Code of Conduct. A sign is posted at the library entrance informing the public that security cameras are in use.
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the placement and use of digital video cameras, as well as the access and retrieval of recorded digital video images at the Glen Ridge Public Library. Video monitoring and recording will be conducted in a manner consistent with all existing local and applicable laws and ordinances.

Security Camera Locations
Reasonable efforts are made to safeguard the privacy of patrons and employees. The video security cameras are positioned to record only those areas specified by the Director/designee and/or Board of Trustees, and will complement other measures to maintain a safe and secure environment in compliance with library policies. Camera locations shall not be changed or added without permission of the Director.

Cameras may be installed in locations where staff and patrons would not have an expectation of privacy. Examples include common areas of the Library such as entrances, near book and media collections, public seating, meeting rooms, outside property, and in the elevator. Cameras will not be installed in areas where staff and public have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as restrooms; nor are they positioned to identify a person’s reading, viewing or listening activities in the library.

Access to Digital Images
Library Staff, including the Director in the course of their normal duties, monitor and operate the live video security system.

Only the Director is authorized to access the recorded archival data in pursuit of incidents of criminal activity, litigation, or violation of the Library Code of Conduct. Authorized individuals, with notice to the Director, may ask other staff to review recorded data to ascertain security concerns related to a specific incident.

Such persons shall not violate any laws relevant to this policy in performing their duties and functions related to the video security system.

Library employees are to review and comply with this policy.

Use/Disclosure of Video Records
Video records may contain personally identifiable information about an individual who has used any library service or borrowed any library materials (“patron information”), and will be accorded the same level of confidentiality and protection provided to library users by New Jersey state law (including, but not limited to N.J.S.A.18A:73-43.2 “Confidentiality of library users’ records”), and Glen Ridge Public Library policies on confidentiality and privacy.

Video records may be used by authorized individuals to identify those responsible for library policy violations, criminal activity on library property, or actions considered disruptive to normal library operations as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Video records may be shared with authorized library employees when appropriate or, upon approval by the Director, other library staff to identify those suspended from library property and to maintain a safe, secure and policy-compliant environment.

Under certain circumstances, 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.

Video records shall not be used or disclosed other than as specifically authorized by this policy.

All requests for security camera footage or still photographs by law enforcement will be referred to the Library Director. In his or her absence, direct requests to the Supervisor on duty.

In the event of a search warrant, which is executable immediately, library administration will comply with the search warrant and consult with legal counsel. Upon receipt of a subpoena or other court order, library administration shall consult with legal counsel to determine if the document is in proper form and that good cause for its issuance in a court of proper jurisdiction is demonstrated. If not, library administration shall insist any defect be remedied before releasing records which contain patron information.

General Public Requesting Access to Security Camera Footage
Confidentiality/privacy issues prohibit the general public from viewing security recordings. If the library receives a request from the general public to inspect security camera recordings, the requesting individual(s) will be advised to file a police complaint.

Retention of Digital Images
Images from the library video security system are stored digitally on hardware in the library. Security camera footage is kept confidential and security recording equipment is housed in a locked area.

Video recordings of incidents potentially leading to legal action (e.g. including accidents, personal injury, assault, theft) whether it involves the Library or not will be saved for a period of two (2) years. Saved video recordings that are not needed after two years will be deleted.

Unauthorized Access and/or Disclosure
A breach of this Policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Any library employee who becomes aware of any unauthorized disclosure of a video record and/or a potential privacy breach has a responsibility to immediately inform the Director.

Approved by the Board of Trustees February 11, 2015

Bulletin Board Use

The bulletin boards located in the Library are meant to serve as a source of Library, community and local information for patrons. The Glen Ridge Public Library reserves the right to screen materials submitted for posting on the bulletin boards. Those wishing to post an item must have all items approved by the Library Director or designee.
Materials may be posted provided the following:

The item is not a petition, does not advocate partisan political action or promote individual religious views. Legal announcements are acceptable.
The item does not require a disproportionate amount of space.
The item is considered to meet general standards of good taste.
The Library may limit the length of time any item is to be displayed.
County, municipal agencies and civic associations will receive priority when space is limited.

Displaying and/or distributing material does not in any way signify an endorsement by the Library of either the contents of the literature or of the organization from which it comes.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees April 11, 2012

Fair Use of Library Equipment

The Glen Ridge Public Library encourages patrons to take advantage of the equipment available for public use. These items include, but are not limited to, the copier, scanner, fax machine, Card Catalog, etc. It is expected that patrons use the equipment in a manner that is fair to all those visiting and that no one patron monopolizes its use to the extent that it prohibits its availability to other patrons. If it is determined that a patron uses the Library’s equipment past what is considered a reasonable amount of time, the staff reserves the right to ask the patron to suspend usage until others have had an opportunity.

Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees April 11, 2012

Homebound Delivery

The Glen Ridge Public Library will seek to provide homebound service to Glen Ridge residents who are unable, due to medical or physical limitations, to personally visit the library. The program is dependent on community volunteers to provide the delivery service to homebound library patrons once to twice a month.

ELIGIBILITY
Any person residing within the Borough of Glen Ridge who is unable to come to the library because of limited mobility, illness, or handicap may request homebound delivery. Homebound status may be permanent or temporary. The delivery of this service by the library is contingent on the availability of volunteers to act as couriers between the library and the homebound individual’s place of residence. A Glen Ridge Public Library card is required to obtain homebound service. A homebound patron who does not yet have a library card must obtain one by providing proof of residence within the borough.
Upon applying for homebound status, the patron will participate in a phone interview with library staff, during which the library staff will establish eligibility and fill out the Homebound Service Questionnaire. The patron may request specific titles, or the staff member may select titles for the patron based on his/her questionnaire responses regarding different categories of the collection. The library staff will keep a list of items that have been checked out to the patron to assure that duplicate items will not be sent from specified categories.

DELIVERY
Library materials will be delivered to a homebound patron’s residence by a volunteer member of the local community. The library will maintain a list of volunteers and seek to match those needing the service with community volunteers willing to pick up materials from the library, deliver them to the homebound patron and return used items back to the library. Delivery will be once to twice a month, depending on the availability of the volunteer. Time of delivery will be at the convenience of the volunteer. Volunteers are not covered by the borough’s insurance policy when engaged in the pickup and delivery of items to homebound residents. Volunteers must be over 21 years old and hold a valid New Jersey driver’s license.

MATERIALS
All materials owned by the Glen Ridge Free Public Library are available for homebound service with the exception of new release rental DVDs. Depending on availability, items may be requested from other BCCLS libraries. A staff member must place the BCCLS request for the patron. Homebound patrons may check out up to 10 items at a time. Damaged or lost materials are the responsibility of the homebound patron. The homebound patron will not be responsible for overdue fees on items.

Approved by the Board of Trustees March 13, 2013

Homebound Delivery Application

Notary Public Services

The Glen Ridge Public Library provides Notary Public services for the benefit of the residents of our community and adheres to the highest standards of competence and responsibility in providing Notary Public services.

It is highly recommended that patrons seeking Notary Service call the Library at (973) 748-5482 prior to their visit to ensure that a Notary is available at that time. Notary Services are not available in the fifteen (15) minutes after opening or the fifteen (15) minutes prior to the time of closing. Notary Service is provided on a first-come, first-serve basis.

FEES
Notary service is free for Glen Ridge residents. For non-residents, the charge for Notary service is $2.50 per notary signature, as recommended by the state of New Jersey, Department of Treasury.

USER RESPONSIBILITIES

Valid government-issued photo identification is required of any person seeking Notary Service.
All documents must be signed in the presence of the Notary.
All document signers must personally appear before the Notary.
Witnesses will not be provided by the Library and witnesses may not be solicited from patrons 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 photo identification.

LIMITATIONS
New Jersey law requires that a Notary must be able to read the documents to be notarized. Documents in any language other than English will not be notarized at this facility.

New Jersey law requires that a Notary and the person 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 person seeking notarization.

Notary Service is not available for Real Estate Transactions, Deeds, Wills, Living Wills, Living Trusts, Codicils, Form I-9’s, or Depositions, as these types of documents can require technical or legal knowledge and are beyond the scope of this service.

The Library’s notaries cannot certify copies of vital records such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates as these types of notarial acts can require technical knowledge as to the validity of documents that are beyond the scope of this service.

In accordance with New Jersey Notarial Law, Notaries will not provide service if the customer, document, or circumstances of the request for Notary Service raises the issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for the Library. In this event, the Library Notary may, at their sole discretion, decline to provide Notary Service.

NOTARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The New Jersey State Treasurer has determined that the following must be performed in any Notary acknowledgement transaction: “the Notary will review the document presented for completeness. This is not a formal legal review, such as would be performed by an accountant or attorney. Rather, it is a review to ensure there are no blanks in the document. Should blanks be discovered, the signer must either fill them in or strike them out by drawing a line or “X” through them.”

Notaries Public in this Library shall correctly maintain a Notary journal of all notarial acts they perform.

The Notary will establish the identity of each signer through personal knowledge or with identification documents. Identification documents must have both a photo and signature.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees May 11, 2016
Revision approved by the Library Board of Trustees October 11, 2023

Photography & Filming

INTRODUCTION
The Glen Ridge Public Library (“Library”) has a significant interest in maintaining an environment that allows patrons to freely access library information and resources. This significant interest requires the library to maintain policies that protect the privacy of its patrons and staff members and ensures their freedom from harassment, intimidation, and threats to their safety and well-being. In order to provide appropriate safeguards against such behavior and enforce policies and procedures addressing that behavior when it occurs, the Library has adopted the following policy regarding the taking of photographs or videos inside the Library building.

GENERAL POLICY
Permission is not required for taking photographs and/or videos in public areas of the Library building for personal, noncommercial use if no tripods, lights, or other specialized equipment are used. However, there may be Library locations and/or exhibition areas where the taking of photographs or videos is restricted or prohibited (i.e., restrooms). Taking photographs or videos of, or in, areas reserved for staff use only is also prohibited. If tripods, lights, or other specialized equipment is to be used, written requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance to the Library Director or his/her designee.

Persons taking photographs and/or videos shall not (i) compromise a patron or staff member’s right to privacy; (ii) harass, intimidate, or threaten a patron or staff member; (iii) block library aisles, walkways, stairwells, doors, or exits or otherwise compromise life safety mandates; (iv) violate federal or state criminal statutes or local ordinances.

EXTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOS
Taking photographs and/or videos outside of the library building and/or of the library grounds does not require permission. However, the activity may not impede the ingress or egress of patrons or staff to or from the library building or otherwise compromise life safety mandates.

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOS
The Library may permit use of its facilities for the taking of commercial photographs and/or videos if the project does not interfere with the mission of the Library and is in accordance with the rest of this policy. The Board of Trustees may charge a fee to offset costs incurred by the Library to provide access to the facility and prior permission of the Library Director (or his/her designee) must be sought at least two weeks in advance.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOS OF MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
The Library permits the taking of photographs and/or videos of its publicly available collections. However, persons taking photographs and/or videos are solely responsible for obtaining consent or other permission when taking photographs or videos of copyrighted materials.

PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOS, AND RECORDING
The Library may take and share photos, videos, and audio recordings including patron created content as part of a program at the library and during library events and programs to use in its publicity materials and on its website and social media sites. The library reserves the right to document its services and the public’s use of the library building and grounds. These photographs, videos, and audio recordings may be copied, displayed, televised, and published (including on any library web site or social media site). Any individual that does not wish the library to use a photograph or video recording or audio recording of them or their child must inform a library staff member prior to or while such photographs or videos or audio recordings are being taken.

LIBRARY BOARD MEETINGS
New Jersey law allows sound and video recording devices in public meetings (i.e., meetings of a governmental body required to be open to the public by law), subject to reasonable restrictions, such as advance notice. If you would like to record a Library Board meeting, please notify the Library Director in writing or via email ([email protected]) at least 48 hours before the meeting.

LIABILITY
Persons involved in taking photographs and/or videos are solely liable for any injuries to persons or property that result from their activities on property. They also have sole responsibility for obtaining all necessary releases and permissions required by law from persons who can be identified in any photograph or video or for copyrighted materials, and from the Library in order to take the photos and/or videos. The Library undertakes no responsibility for obtaining these releases or permissions.

COMPLIANCE WITH POLICY
The Library reserves the right to ask any individual or group violating this policy to cease the taking of photographs or videos.

FAILURE TO COMPLY
Failure to comply with Library policies, rules and regulations (including this policy) will be grounds for suspension of library privileges, and removal from the Library.

DAMAGES AND LIABILITY
Any individual or group using the library for filming or photography shall be held responsible for willful or accidental damage to the Library building, grounds, collections, furniture, or vehicles caused by the individual or group.

APPEAL AND REVIEW
The Board of Trustees of the Library will review the Photography and Filming policy and regulations periodically and reserves the right to amend them at any time. The Board authorizes the Library Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances. The Library Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding photography and filming within the Library.

Any appeals for changes to, or exceptions to, any portion of the Photography and Filming policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Library Director in writing within ten (10) days of a decision. The Library Director will respond to the appeal in writing within thirty days of receiving the appeal.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees on June 14, 2023.

Study Rooms

Responsibility for the room lies with the patron who reserves the room. Registering to use a study room confirms that the Responsible Party has read, understands, and accepts the Study Room Use Policy.

Any library guest aged 14 or older can book a private study room if available.

Room 1: 1 person only
Room 2: 1 person only
Room 3: 2-3 people
(use by a single person is allowed only when room 1 & 2 are in use)

You may book up to two hours per day with a maximum of ten hours per week via https://glenridgelibrary.bookedscheduler.com or at the Library at the reservation tablets by the elevator on the mezzanine. Library staff will not take reservations over the phone. Individuals who need assistance making reservations should speak to a staff member at the Adult Desk.

The study rooms may be booked in 30-minute increments.
You may book a room up to 10 hours ahead of time.
Study rooms open 30 minutes after the opening time of the Library and close 30 minutes prior to the closing time of the Library itself.

If you do not arrive within 15 minutes of your reserved time, your booking may be canceled so that others can use the room.
After your reserved time is up, you are free to remain in the study room, but you must vacate the room if others are waiting to start their own reserved time. Individuals who do not leave the room in a timely manner will not be allowed to book future time slots.

For Room 3, only one member of the group is allowed to make a reservation. The other users cannot make additional reservations in order to extend their stay.

Food is not allowed in the study rooms and must be eaten in designated areas only. Beverages with lids are allowed, and the space must be left as you found it. Individuals who eat in the study rooms will not be allowed to book future time slots.

Furniture may not be brought into or removed from a study room.

The Study Rooms are available for individual study or small group meetings. They may not be used for the commercial benefit of private individuals or organizations where fees are charged or goods or services are sold. Use of study rooms as a place to conduct regular business or as a place to hold office hours is prohibited. The 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. Phones should be kept on silent/vibrate and calls on speakerphone are not allowed. If you are using a device that generates sound, headphones must be used. If you are using a device that captures video, no other library patrons or staff should be recorded without their knowledge and permission.

The use of the Study Rooms of the Library for scheduled Library purposes shall have priority over all other uses or applications for its use by others.

In case of any emergency, such as a severe snow storm, it is the responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the Library is open by checking our website at www.glenridgelibrary.org or calling 973-748-5482. Individuals with study room reservations will not be notified in advance of library closures.

The Library is not responsible for monitoring belongings in 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 Study Room. Items left unattended 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.

All Library property is made available conditional upon the good behavior of users of the Library facilities. If any Library rules or these regulations are violated, or if any property of the Library is damaged by the permittee or its guests, whether by carelessness or negligence, the Board of Trustees may, in its discretion, deny or reject future use of the study rooms by the user.

This policy becomes effective March 18, 2024

Approved by the Board of Trustees on March 13, 2024
Revised September 11, 2024

Program Services

Library Programming

The Glen Ridge Public Library (“the Library”) supports its mission of connecting people to reading, learning and ideas by developing and presenting programs that provide additional opportunities for information, learning, and entertainment. Programming is an integral component of Library service that:

Expands the Library’s role as a community resource
Introduces patrons and previous non-users to Library resources
Provides information and/or entertainment
Provides opportunities for lifelong learning
Expands the visibility of the Library within the community

APPLICATION
This Policy governs all Library sponsored or co-sponsored programs.

PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTATION
The Library utilizes staff expertise, collections, services and facilities in developing and delivering programming. The Library’s staff members use the following criteria in making decisions about program topics, speakers, and accompanying resources:

Relevance to community interests and issues
Availability of program space
Treatment of content for intended audience
Presentation quality
Presenter’s background/qualifications in content area
Budget and staffing considerations
Historical or educational significance
Connection to other community programs, exhibits and/or events
Relevance to the Library’s mission and strategic planning goals.
Relation to Library collections, resources, programs, exhibits and/or events.

In addition, the Library draws upon other community resources in developing programs and actively partners with other community agencies, organizations, educational and cultural institutions, and individuals to develop and present cosponsored public programs. Professional performers and presenters that reflect specialized or unique expertise may be hired for Library programs. Performers and presenters will not be excluded from consideration because of their age, sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, military or veteran’s status, , background, or political or social views, or because a program possibly might raise some controversy within the community.

Library staff who present programs do so as part of their regular job duties and may not be hired as outside contractors to conduct programming or for any other purpose.
All Library programs are free and open to the public. The Library’s philosophy of open access to information and ideas extends to Library programming. The Library does not knowingly discriminate through its programming. All Library programs are meant to be inclusive, without the promotion or use of hateful ideology or speech. Library sponsorship of a program does not constitute an endorsement of the content of the program or the views expressed by participants, and program topics, speakers and resources are not excluded from programs because they possibly might raise some controversy within the community. The Library will not permit any programs, which encourage or promote hatred, obscenity or unlawful ideas or activities.

Registration may be required for planning purposes or when space is limited. When registration is required, priority may be given to Glen Ridge residents. Library staff may refuse entrance to programs for any persons not pre-registered, when a space limitation requirement is in effect.
Programs may be held on site at the Library or at an approved off-site location. The Library reserves the right to cancel any program at any time and for any or no stated reason. Programs scheduled on a day when the Library is closed due to inclement weather are automatically cancelled. Rescheduling of such programs shall be at the discretion of the Library.

Programs may not promote or be not used to advance commercial, religious, or partisan purposes, or for the solicitation of business. At events sponsored by the Library, such as author talks and musical performances, pertinent items (i.e. books, musical recordings, etc.) of the author/artist may be sold. The Library must pre-approve any sales of items. External organizations or individuals partnering with the Library on programs must coordinate marketing efforts with the Library Director or his/her designee.

The Library welcomes expressions of opinion from patrons concerning programming. If a patron wants to question a Library program, he/she should first address the concern with a Library staff member. Patrons who wish to continue their request for review of Library programs may submit a request for reconsideration, in writing, to the Library Director. Requests for review of programs will be considered in the same manner as requests for reconsideration of Library materials as outlined in the Library’s Collection Development Policy.

ENFORCEMENT/IMPLEMENTATION
Ultimate responsibility for programming at the Library rests with the Library Director, who administers under the authority of the Board of Trustees. The Director, in turn, may delegate the authority for program management and oversight to Library Department Heads and designated staff.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees - October 23, 2019

Public Relations

The Glen Ridge Public Library ensures that the public receives consistent and accurate information about Library policies, procedures, programs and services, and that the best possible image of the Glen Ridge Library is presented.
The public relations goals of the Glen Ridge Public Library are:

To promote community awareness and active participation in Library services and programs
To develop public understanding and support of the Library and its role in the community

The Board of Trustees recognizes that public relations involve every person who has connection with the Library. The Board urges its own members and every staff member to realize that she or he represents the Library in every public contact. Good service supports good public relations.

MEDIA CONTACT
Contacts with the media will be arranged by the Library Director. Children's programming and services will be arranged by a designated member of the Children's staff after consultation with the Director.

Upon completion, a copy of programming and services releases will be filed with the Director and may not be released to the media until approved by the Director.

Contacts made by the media with the Library will be directed to the Library Director or to his/her designee.

Letters to the editor designed to speak for the Library in an official capacity will not be submitted by Library staff without prior approval of the Library Director.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Speaking engagements made by Library staff on behalf of the Library will be coordinated through the Library Director.

LIBRARY MATERIALS AND PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION
Library Materials and Promotional and informational materials [e.g., handouts, brochures, electronic social networking utilities] designed to be disseminated to the public will meet standards of quality established by the Library and follow standard guidelines for use of copyright law dealing with art, designs and other materials. The Library Director will be responsible to see that such materials produced by or for respective departments (children's and adult services, website, etc.) meet Library standards of quality. All promotional and informational materials must be reviewed by the Library Director and must be approved before released.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
In an emergency situation, official statements to the public and media will be made by the Library Director, the Library Board President, or one of their designees. If it is necessary for the Library staff to provide the public with information, Library administration (the Director and Board Trustees) will inform staff what is to be said.

Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees April 11, 2012

Social Media

PURPOSE
This policy sets forth guidelines for the establishment and use by the Glen Ridge Public Library ("the Library") of all social media sites (including but not limited to Facebook and Twitter) as a means of conveying Glen Ridge Library-related information to its residents, employees and visitors. The Library has an overriding interest and expectation in deciding what is “spoken” on behalf of the Library on its social media sites.

For purposes of this policy, “social media'' is understood to be content created by individuals, using accessible, expandable, and upgradable publishing technologies, through and on the Internet. Examples of social media include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, Imgur, blogs, Myspace, RSS, YouTube, Second Life, Twitter, LinkedIn, Delicious, and Flicker. For purposes of this policy, “comments'' include information, articles, pictures. It also includes other communication mediums created by the Library including but not limited to newsletters, flyers, signage, etc. The opinions expressed by individuals using any Glen Ridge Public Library social media, except as specifically noted, are those of the individual authors. Views presented in these forums do not necessarily represent the views or policies of, or endorsement by, the Glen Ridge Public Library.

General Policy

No Glen Ridge Public Library social media site shall be established without prior approval of the Library Director. The use by any Library employee of the Library’s social media sites are subject to approval by the Library Director or his/her designees. All Glen Ridge social media sites shall be administered by the Library Director and/or his/her designee.
The Borough social media sites shall clearly set forth that they are maintained by the Library and that they follow this Social Media Policy.
Wherever possible, the Library social media sites should link back to the official Glen Ridge Public Library website for forms, documents, online services and other information necessary to conduct business with the Library.
The Glen Ridge Public Library social media sites are not to be used for making any official communications to the Library, for example, requesting materials, inquiries on library accounts, request for renewals, etc. Prominent notice of this paragraph shall be displayed on every Library social media site, along with the appropriate contact information for submitting official communications.
This social media policy shall be placed on the Glen Ridge Public Library website and all social media sites.
The Library Director and/or his/her designee shall monitor Library social media sites to ensure adherence to both this Social Media Policy and the interest and goals of the Library. Glen Ridge has the right and will restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of this Social Media Policy or any applicable law. Any content removed based on these guidelines will be retained by the Library Director and/or her/her designee pursuant to the applicable Library retention policy, including the time, date and identity of the poster, when available.
These guidelines must be displayed to users or made available by hyperlink.
The Library will approach the use of social media tools as consistently as possible, enterprise wide.
The Glen Ridge Public Library website at www.glenridgelibrary.org will remain the Library’s primary and predominant internet presence.
The Library social media sites and this Policy are subject to all applicable federal and NJ laws and regulations, as well as applicable record retention requirements.
Employees representing the Library via its social media sites must conduct themselves at all times as a representative of the Library and in accordance with all its policies.
This Social Media Policy may be revised at any time by approval of the Library Board of Trustees.

Comment Policy

As a public entity the Library must abide by certain standards to serve all its constituents in a civil and unbiased manner.
The intended purpose behind establishing the Library social media sites is to disseminate information from the Library, about Glen Ridge Public Library, to its residents, employees and visitors.
Library Trustees have the same right to self-expression enjoyed by members of the community as a whole when discussing matters of public concern. Trustees should keep in mind the following best practices when posting content about Library-related subjects on social media.
1. If you identify yourself as a Library Trustee, make it clear that the views expressed are yours alone and do not represent the views of the Library or other trustees.
2. Respect the Library’s confidential and proprietary information. Do not post information that is still in draft form or is confidential.
3. No comments with any kind of negative, mocking, condescending, etc. slant should be made at all.
Comments containing any of the following inappropriate forms of content shall not be permitted on the Library social media sites and are subject to removal and/or restriction by the Library Director and/or his/her designees.
1. Profane, obscene, violent, or pornographic content and/or language, or sexually suggestive or links to such materials. Any image or link containing minors or suspected minors in sexual and/or provocative situations will be reported to law enforcement;
2. Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, or national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation;
3. Defamatory attacks;
4. Threats to any person or organization;
5. Solicitation of commerce, including but not limited to advertising of any business or product for sale;
6. Comments that promote particular services, products, or political organizations and comments in support or in opposition of political campaigns or ballot measures;
7. Conduct in violation of any federal, state or local law;
8. Encouragement of illegal activity;
9. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems; or
10. Content that violates a legal ownership interest, such as a copyright, of any party the Library does not permit or allow copyright infringing activities and/or infringement of intellectual property rights on its website or social media sites and will remove any and all content and Submissions if properly notified that such content and/or Submission infringes on another's intellectual property rights.
11. Private contact information such as names, addresses and phone numbers no matter how easily obtained elsewhere.
12. Personal information or medical information of a person other than the poster;
13. Spamming or repetitive content;
14. Links to other websites;
15. Comments from children under 13 cannot be posted in order to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection ACT. By posting on a Borough media site, users acknowledge that they are at least 13 years old;
16. Comments unrelated or off topic to the particular post being commented upon;
17. Comments unrelated or off topic to the overall topic of the Social Media page;
18. Comments containing vulgar, offensive, threatening, or harassing language, personal attacks, or unsupported accusations.
A comment posted by a member of the public on any Glen Ridge Library social media site is the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the Library, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Library.
Any attempt to hack or otherwise compromise the Library’s internet or social media sites will be reported to law enforcement and the perpetrator will be denied access to the sites.
The Library reserves the right to deny access to its social media sites for any individual, who violates the Glen Ridge Library Social Media Policy, at any time and without prior notice.
The Library Director and/or her/her designee shall monitor their social media sites for comments requesting responses from the Library and for comments in violation of this policy.
When a Library employee responds to a comment, in his/her capacity as a Library employee, the employee’s name and title should be made available, and the employee shall not share personal information about himself or herself, or other Library employees.
All comments posted to any Glen Ridge Library Facebook site are bound by any applicable terms and conditions Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, located at http://www.facebook.com/terms.php, and the Library reserves the right to report any violation of Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities to Facebook with the intent of Facebook taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action. All Library policies are applicable to interactions on social media sites when acting in an official capacity and representing the Library.
All comments posted to any Library sites are bound by any applicable terms and conditions of Twitter’s Terms of Service, located at https://twitter.com/tos, and the Library reserves the right to report any violation of Twitter’s Terms of Service to Twitter with the intent of Twitter taking appropriate and reasonable responsible action. All Library policies are applicable to interactions on social media sites when acting in an official capacity and representing the Library.
All comments posted to any Library sites are bound by any applicable terms and conditions of YouTube’s Terms of Service, located at https://www.youtube.com/t/terms, and the Library reserves the right to report any violation of YouTube’s Terms of Service to YouTube with the intent of YouTube taking appropriate and reasonable responsible action. All Library policies are applicable to interactions on social media sites when acting in an official capacity and representing the Library.
Social media is run by a third party separate from the Library and social media sites occasionally become inoperable. The Library reserves the right to disable its social media accounts either temporarily or permanently at any time. There is no guarantee of “uptime.”

Breach of Policy

Staff may be required to remove internet postings on Borough social media sites which are deemed to constitute a breach of Policy, as determined by the Library subject to applicable archiving and retention requirements.
Any social media site created by a Library employee remains the property of the Library, including all the followers and friends generated by the site. If the person who created the site leaves the employment of the Library, they must relinquish everything related to the site including user names, passwords and/or access codes or information.
The Library, its employees, agents, officials assume no responsibility for any damages directly or indirectly, arising from participation in Library-sponsored social media. Violations of this policy by employees may result in discipline, up to and including termination of employment.

Information Disclaimer By visiting this site, you understand and agree that the Glen Ridge Public Library site is provided "AS IS". Glen Ridge Public Library makes every effort to provide accurate and complete information on this website. The information contained herein is not official nor in any way shall it be deemed to constitute legal notice where such legal notice is required by law. The information contained in this site is provided as a service and convenience to people needing information about Glen Ridge Public Library. Portions of the information on this site may be incorrect or not current. Glen Ridge Public Library, its Trustees or employees shall not be liable for damages or losses of any kind arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of information, including but not limited to, damages or losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or timeliness of any such information, or damages incurred from the viewing, distributing, or copying of those materials.
Linking Policy Links to External Sites The Glen Ridge Public Library site contains links to outside websites. These websites are not owned, operated, controlled or reviewed by the Glen Ridge Public Library. These links are provided solely as a courtesy and convenience to you, the visitor. The Glen Ridge Public Library, its Trustees or employees, exercise no control over the organizations, views, accuracy, copyright or trademark, compliance or the legality of the material contained in these outside websites. The Glen Ridge Public Library, its officers or employees, do not sponsor, endorse, or approve the information, content, proceeds, materials, opinions or services contained on such outside websites. The visitor proceeds to these outside websites at his/her own risk. The Glen Ridge Public Library specifically disclaims any and all liability from damages, which may result from the accessing of a third-party site, which is linked to the Glen Ridge Public Library website or from reliance upon only such information.
Endorsement Disclaimer Reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Glen Ridge Library or its Trustees and/or employees.
Copyright and Trademark Limitations Glen Ridge Public Library makes no warranty that materials contained herein are free of copyright or trademark claims or other restrictions or limitations on free use or display. Making a copy of such material may be subject to copyright or trademark laws.
Use of material from this site The Glen Ridge Public Library has made the content of these pages available to the public and anyone may view, copy or distribute Borough of Glen Ridge government information found here without obligation to the Borough of Glen Ridge government for non-commercial, personal use only, unless otherwise stated on particular material or information to which a restriction on free use may apply. The design of this site, original graphics, and original content are all copyrighted by the Borough of Glen Ridge and may not be re-engineered, distributed, modified, transmitted, re-used, reposted, or duplicated without the express written permission of the Borough of Glen Ridge in each instance. All requests to use any part of the original design, code, graphics or content of this site should be made via e-mail to the Borough Administrator.
Unauthorized Modifications Unauthorized attempts to modify or otherwise alter any information or image stored on any Glen Ridge Library website may result in criminal prosecution.

Records Retention
Social media sites contain communications sent to or received by the Library and its employees, and such communications are therefore public records subject to the Open Public Records Act. These retention requirements apply regardless of the form of the record (for example, digital text, photos, audio, and video). The Department maintaining a site shall preserve records pursuant to a relevant records retention schedule for the required retention period in a format that preserves the integrity of the original record and is easily accessible. Furthermore, retention of social media records shall fulfill the following requirements:

Social media records are captured in a continuous, automated fashion throughout the day to minimize a potential loss of data due to deletion and/or changes on the social networking site.
Social media records are maintained in an authentic format (i.e. ideally the native technical format provided by the social network, such as XML or JSON) along with complete metadata.
Social media records are archived in a system that preserves the context of communications, including conversation threads and rich media, to ensure completeness and availability of relevant information when records are accessed.
Social media records are indexed based on specific criteria such as date, content type, and keywords to ensure that records can be quickly located and produced in an appropriate format for distribution (e.g. PDF).
Each employee who administers one or more social networking sites on behalf of the Agency has self-service, read-only access to search and produce relevant social media records to fulfill public information and legal discovery requests as needed. The Library utilizes an automated archiving solution provided by ArchiveSocial to comply with applicable public records law and fulfill the above record retention requirements. The Agency archive is available at: archivesocial.com.

By choosing to comment, social media users agree to the foregoing rules. The Library reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is deemed in violation of this social media policy or any applicable law. The Library further reserves the right to amend or modify this policy at any time.

Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees November 14, 2012
Revised September 12, 2018

ALA & NJLA Policy Guidelines

ALA 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.
I. 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.
II. 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.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. 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.
VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019.
Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

ALA 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 for Free Expression
The Association of American University Presses
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

ALA 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 of 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 guarantee 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 expression. 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 January 10, 1990, by the ALA Council

NJLA Peoples' Rights to Libraries

The New Jersey Library Association affirms its belief in the public right to library service - as stated in the following tenets:

All people are entitled to free access to the information and knowledge within a library.
All people are entitled to obtain current, accurate information on any topic of interest.
All people are entitled to courteous, efficient, and prompt service.
All people are entitled to assistance by qualified library personnel.
All people are entitled to the right of privacy in the selection or use of materials.
All people are entitled to the full service of the library network on a local, regional, state, and national level.
All people are entitled to the use of a facility that is accessible, attractive, and comfortable.
All people are entitled to access to the policies regarding the use and services of a library,
All people are entitled to library service that reflects the interests and needs of the total community.

Reaffirmed by the NJLA Executive Board September 2006
Adopted by NJLA Executive Board, 1978