POLICIES
POLICY: L-102 : LOAN PERIODS, FINES AND FEES FOR BOOKS AND MATERIALS
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2013
The Wharton Public Library maintains collections of books, audio tapes, videos, DVDs, music CDs, CD-ROMs, Magazines and Newspapers for use by the public.
Circulation of these items is restricted to patrons with a valid library card.
LOAN PERIODS:
RESERVE/INTERLIBRARY LOAN:
Books or materials requested via InterLibrary Loan may have a shorter loan period as established by the lending library or library consortium.
Fines will be assessed using the Wharton Public Library’s schedule.
FINES: any item exceeding the normal or special loan time will be charged:
Approved on April 16, 2013
Reviewed and revised April 16, 2013
by the Library Board of Trustees
POLICY M-101 MUSEUM PASS POLICY
Free family (up to two adults and three children) museum pass for the Morris Museum is available to Wharton Public Library Adult resident cardholders in good standing on a first come basis.
The Museum pass may be borrowed for three (3) days and may not be renewed or reserved. Passes are located at the Circulation Desk in the Library. Please see a staff member to checkout a pass. A Museum Pass may be checked out to a family once in a six (6) month period. Other arrangements must be approved by the Director.
The pass must be returned to the Wharton Public Library at least one hour before closing the day the pass is due. Passes may not be placed in the outdoor library book drop.
Late fees are $5 per day. A patron who loses a pass will be charged the replacement cost designated by the museum (Morris Museum lost/stolen fee $25).
Patrons should call the museum directly for updated information on hours of operation, parking and/or directions. Each museum reserves the right to determine the rules and regulations governing the use of their museum pass. The museum has the right to change hours of operation, so it is always advisable to contact the museum prior to your visit. Therefore, when borrowing a museum pass, patrons should have a back-up plan in case the museum is unexpectedly closed.
The Library assumes no responsibility of any kind arising out of the use of museum passes or parking accommodations.
POLICY N-101: NOTARY POLICY
Please call the library to verify the notary will be available when you are planning to visit.
Notary services are performed FREE OF CHARGE to residents of Wharton. $1 per document for non-residents.
Valid photo identification is required of any patron seeking Notary Service.
Please be sure the document is completely filled out, leaving no blanks other than where the document needs to be signed, prior to appearing before the notary.
Notary Services are available for the following*:
*Some documents may require technical or legal knowledge and is beyond the scope of this free service. Contact notary if you have any questions. The library does not provide witnesses. Please have your witness(es) present.
In accordance with New Jersey Notarial Law, Notaries will not provide service if the patron, document or circumstances of the request for Notary service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt or uncertainty for the Library. In this event, the Library Notary may, at his/her sole discretion, decline to provide Notary service.
Approved on July 19, 2011
by the Board of Trustees
POLICY U-101 UNATTENDED CHILDREN IN THE LIBRARY
The Wharton Public Library is a public facility that offers services to a wide range of citizens. The library has the responsibility to provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for every patron using its services and facilities appropriately. It is our desire to make every visit enjoyable, safe and memorable for young children.
Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. The library staff realizes that the library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. Children and young people are, however, expected to follow the same standards of patron conduct expected of adults (Library Patron Behavior Policy March 24, 2009). Parents, guardians, caregivers or assigned chaperones are responsible for the behavior of their children while in the library or on library grounds. In order to insure the highest level of safety for our young patrons the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following policy:
Disruptive children:
The Library Staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library.
Children (whether with parents or not) who are being continually disruptive will:
Unattended children at closing time:
Children who have not been picked up at closing time will be given the opportunity to call a parent. Children who have not been picked up within fifteen minutes after closing will be left in the care of the Wharton Borough Police Department or other appropriate authority. Under no circumstances will staff transport children in a vehicle or accompany them home.
Appropriate authority:
Local police
School – during school hours
First Aid Squad/Ambulance/Doctor
Approved on April 21, 2009
by the Library Board of Trustees
POLICY: W101 - WIRELESS INTERNET POLICY
As a service for library users with wireless-enabled laptops, the Wharton Public Library provides unfiltered wireless (WiFi) Internet connectivity. While the Library strives to provide a quality wireless system, it cannot guarantee the signal quality, bandwidth availability or general Internet site availability at any time.
The Library does not provide technical support for wireless devices. Library staff members cannot configure your laptop or network card or help you to establish a wireless network connection.
By choosing to use this free wireless service, you agree to abide by the Library’s Internet Policy. Copies of this policy are available at the Circulation Desk. It is the responsibility of the user to understand this Internet user’s policy and his/her obligation to refrain from viewing inappropriate web sites, spamming, or engaging in any illegal activities.
Use of the wireless network is at your own risk, and the Library is not responsible for any alterations or interference with a laptop’s configuration, operation or data files resulting from connection to the library’s wireless network. The Library accepts no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user’s equipment, software, data files, or other personal property brought into or used at the Library facilities.
Requirements: Your laptop must be capable of connecting to the wireless network.
Limits: WiFi is less secure than a wired network and signal strength may vary in the building. There is no printing capability. The Library cannot guarantee that the service will be available at any specific time. This service is not to be used as a permanent connection.
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2013
The Wharton Public Library maintains collections of books, audio tapes, videos, DVDs, music CDs, CD-ROMs, Magazines and Newspapers for use by the public.
Circulation of these items is restricted to patrons with a valid library card.
LOAN PERIODS:
- New Books - Adult 14 days
- Books – Adult & Juvenile 14 days
- AUDIO BOOKS – Adult & Juvenile 14 days
- CD’s - Music 14 days
- CD-ROMS-Software 14 days
- Videos & DVDs 7 days
- New DVD Collection 2 days
- Magazines 7 days
- Newspapers – do not circulate
RESERVE/INTERLIBRARY LOAN:
Books or materials requested via InterLibrary Loan may have a shorter loan period as established by the lending library or library consortium.
Fines will be assessed using the Wharton Public Library’s schedule.
FINES: any item exceeding the normal or special loan time will be charged:
- BOOKS – Adult & Juvenile .15 per day up to $ 5.00 each
- AUDIO BOOKS – Adult & Juvenile .15 per day up to $ 5.00 each
- CD’s music .15 per day up to $ 5.00 each
- Videos & DVDs $1.00 per day up to $ 5.00 each
- CD-ROMS - software $1.00 per day up to $ 5.00 each
- Magazines .15 per day up to $ 5.00 each
- Books may be renewed twice for equal periods providing there are no outstanding holds on the item.
- The library staff reserves the right to limit the number of books or materials on any one subject.
- From time to time it may be necessary for the library to limit loan periods or further limit the number of books or materials for checkout because they are in high demand, such as, books for book discussion groups or materials needed for class assignments.
- There will be a fine maximum of five dollars ($5.00) per item/book.
- Current replacement cost of item plus $3.00 for processing.
- A patron’s borrowing privileges will be blocked by the network system when estimated fines reach $5.00.
- Fines will not be assessed for days the library is closed.
Approved on April 16, 2013
Reviewed and revised April 16, 2013
by the Library Board of Trustees
POLICY M-101 MUSEUM PASS POLICY
Free family (up to two adults and three children) museum pass for the Morris Museum is available to Wharton Public Library Adult resident cardholders in good standing on a first come basis.
The Museum pass may be borrowed for three (3) days and may not be renewed or reserved. Passes are located at the Circulation Desk in the Library. Please see a staff member to checkout a pass. A Museum Pass may be checked out to a family once in a six (6) month period. Other arrangements must be approved by the Director.
The pass must be returned to the Wharton Public Library at least one hour before closing the day the pass is due. Passes may not be placed in the outdoor library book drop.
Late fees are $5 per day. A patron who loses a pass will be charged the replacement cost designated by the museum (Morris Museum lost/stolen fee $25).
Patrons should call the museum directly for updated information on hours of operation, parking and/or directions. Each museum reserves the right to determine the rules and regulations governing the use of their museum pass. The museum has the right to change hours of operation, so it is always advisable to contact the museum prior to your visit. Therefore, when borrowing a museum pass, patrons should have a back-up plan in case the museum is unexpectedly closed.
The Library assumes no responsibility of any kind arising out of the use of museum passes or parking accommodations.
POLICY N-101: NOTARY POLICY
Please call the library to verify the notary will be available when you are planning to visit.
Notary services are performed FREE OF CHARGE to residents of Wharton. $1 per document for non-residents.
Valid photo identification is required of any patron seeking Notary Service.
Please be sure the document is completely filled out, leaving no blanks other than where the document needs to be signed, prior to appearing before the notary.
Notary Services are available for the following*:
- Administering Oaths
- Administering Affirmations
- Taking acknowledgments
*Some documents may require technical or legal knowledge and is beyond the scope of this free service. Contact notary if you have any questions. The library does not provide witnesses. Please have your witness(es) present.
In accordance with New Jersey Notarial Law, Notaries will not provide service if the patron, document or circumstances of the request for Notary service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt or uncertainty for the Library. In this event, the Library Notary may, at his/her sole discretion, decline to provide Notary service.
Approved on July 19, 2011
by the Board of Trustees
POLICY U-101 UNATTENDED CHILDREN IN THE LIBRARY
The Wharton Public Library is a public facility that offers services to a wide range of citizens. The library has the responsibility to provide an environment that is safe and comfortable for every patron using its services and facilities appropriately. It is our desire to make every visit enjoyable, safe and memorable for young children.
Children of all ages are encouraged to use the library for homework, recreational reading, and program attendance. The library staff realizes that the library will be noisier at busy times and that children by nature can cause more commotion. Children and young people are, however, expected to follow the same standards of patron conduct expected of adults (Library Patron Behavior Policy March 24, 2009). Parents, guardians, caregivers or assigned chaperones are responsible for the behavior of their children while in the library or on library grounds. In order to insure the highest level of safety for our young patrons the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following policy:
- Children ten-years-old and under must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, caregiver, assigned chaperones or other designated responsible person while in the library or on library property.
- Children six-years-old and under may never be left unsupervised in any area of the library.
- If the child, ten-years-old and under, is attending a library program, we require the parent/caregiver remain in the library throughout the program.
- If a parent or caregiver cannot be located, staff will contact the Wharton Borough Police Department or other appropriate authority to report an abandoned child.
Disruptive children:
The Library Staff is not expected to assume responsibility for the care of unsupervised children in the library.
Children (whether with parents or not) who are being continually disruptive will:
- be given a warning that he/she must settle down or will be asked to leave the library.
- be asked to leave the library, if after a second warning he/she continues to be disruptive.
- be permitted to call a parent. If he/she cannot safely leave the library to return home on his or her own, they may wait with a staff person until the parent arrives.
- be allowed to remain at the library under close supervision, if no parent can be contacted the library staff may contact the Wharton Borough Police Department or other appropriate authority depending upon the severity of the situation.
Unattended children at closing time:
Children who have not been picked up at closing time will be given the opportunity to call a parent. Children who have not been picked up within fifteen minutes after closing will be left in the care of the Wharton Borough Police Department or other appropriate authority. Under no circumstances will staff transport children in a vehicle or accompany them home.
Appropriate authority:
Local police
School – during school hours
First Aid Squad/Ambulance/Doctor
Approved on April 21, 2009
by the Library Board of Trustees
POLICY: W101 - WIRELESS INTERNET POLICY
As a service for library users with wireless-enabled laptops, the Wharton Public Library provides unfiltered wireless (WiFi) Internet connectivity. While the Library strives to provide a quality wireless system, it cannot guarantee the signal quality, bandwidth availability or general Internet site availability at any time.
The Library does not provide technical support for wireless devices. Library staff members cannot configure your laptop or network card or help you to establish a wireless network connection.
By choosing to use this free wireless service, you agree to abide by the Library’s Internet Policy. Copies of this policy are available at the Circulation Desk. It is the responsibility of the user to understand this Internet user’s policy and his/her obligation to refrain from viewing inappropriate web sites, spamming, or engaging in any illegal activities.
Use of the wireless network is at your own risk, and the Library is not responsible for any alterations or interference with a laptop’s configuration, operation or data files resulting from connection to the library’s wireless network. The Library accepts no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user’s equipment, software, data files, or other personal property brought into or used at the Library facilities.
Requirements: Your laptop must be capable of connecting to the wireless network.
Limits: WiFi is less secure than a wired network and signal strength may vary in the building. There is no printing capability. The Library cannot guarantee that the service will be available at any specific time. This service is not to be used as a permanent connection.
