Membership and Loans
Membership: Free if you live, work or go to school in Bedminster or Far Hills. Come by the library for your card which is good for 3 years at which time it must be renewed. Nonresident memberships are $50 annually, discounted 50% for seniors 62 years and up. The Library has reciprocal borrowing with all public libraries in Somerset County and with the Raritan Valley Federation of Libraries.
Loans & Limits: All books, magazines and CDs have a 14 day loan period. DVD videos are loaned for 7 days. Museum Passes, Hotspots, and the Library of Things have their own lending policies. Please visit the homepage of the library for details.
Fines: 10 cents per day per item except for DVD videos which are one dollar per item per day. Hotspots and Museum Passes have their own fine schedule. Patrons who do not return materials are expected to pay the accumulated fines and item’s replacement cost.
Reserves: Members may reserve items which must be picked up within 3 days of notification or the item will be given to the next person in line or returned to the shelves.
Interlibrary loans: Members may request items from other libraries. As with Reserves, come by or call 908-234-2325 ext. 0 or email ref@dillonlibrary.org
Renewals and Holds: Items may be renewed for up to three additional loan periods unless another library patron has placed a hold request on the item or the item is in interlibrary loan. DVDs may be renewed twice for another 7 days. These items may renew automatically. To renew or place a hold do any of the following:
- Call (908) 234-2325 ext. 0
- Email ref@dillonlibrary.org
- Log into your account online and follow the prompts
- Questions or need help? Ask a librarian at ref@dillonlibrary.org
Code of Conduct
THE LIBRARY CODE OF CONDUCT – PUBLIC NOTICE
The posted notice reproduced below is to aid the Library staff in controlling problems involving obscene internet material, theft, and abusive behavior. These notices are posted on the door into the Adult Library.
POLICY ON THE DISPLAY OF COMPUTER IMAGES, PHOTOS, OR VIDEOS
Library staff is not responsible for monitoring use of the Internet. Computer workstations are located in public areas that are shared by library users of all ages, backgrounds, and sensibilities. Individual Internet users are expected to consider this if accessing potentially controversial information, images, or video. Inappropriate patron behavior while accessing the Internet will not be permitted to interfere or disrupt library operations. The Clarence Dillon Public Library reserves the right to terminate Internet sessions at any time.
Responsibility for (and any restriction of) a child’s use of the Internet rests solely with his or her legal guardian.
The following activities are not permitted:
– Using images or video to harass other patrons or library employees may constitute sexual harassment and will be brought to the attention of the local police department.
– Displaying, sending, receiving, or printing text, images, graphics, or video that violates laws relating to child pornography (N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4)
– Displaying, posting, exhibiting, vocalizing, giving away, or publicly communicating obscene material (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-4)
POLICY ON THEFT OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
– Theft, removal, or attempt to remove any library materials, equipment, or property without checkout or other official authorization is prohibited. (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-13)
– In order to prevent the theft of library materials, state law authorizes the detention for a reasonable period of time any person using these facilities who is suspected of committing a theft of library materials (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-15).
POLICY ON ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR
All persons shall respect the rights of others, and shall not harass, annoy, or interfere with any other person by means of physical contact, communication, or other intrusive behavior. No one shall interfere with Library personnel in the performance of their duties. Using abusive, obscene, or racially offensive language is prohibited. Patrons shall not interfere with the use of the library by other patrons, or interfere with library employees’ performance of their duties. Anyone who fails to abide by this policy will be required to leave the premises.
AS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CLARENCE DILLON PUBLIC LIBRARY
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR on the Library premises includes but is not limited to:
- Any activity that constitutes a violation of federal, state, or local criminal statutes or ordinances
- Harassment, use of abusive or threatening language or threatening gestures, unwanted physical contact or other inappropriate actions
- Following or staring at others with intent or effect to annoy
- Damage, defacement, or theft of any library property or material
- Possession, distribution, or use of alcohol, except at authorized library events
- Possession, distribution, or use of controlled substances
- Unreasonable noise levels including shouting, loud talking or disruptive conversations in person or on cell phones
- Solicitations, petitions or canvassing in the Library or on Library premises
- Bringing animals into the Library, with the exception of service animals or those allowed at a library-approved event
- Lack of personal hygiene that interferes with the use of and enjoyment of the Library by others
- Use of electronic equipment at a volume that disturbs others
- Leaving children or adults who are in need of supervision unattended
- Inappropriate use of the elevator
- Soliciting or panhandling
- Carrying a weapon into the Library
- Harassing other patrons
ENFORCEMENT
In the case of a lesser violation of these rules, in the judgement of a staff member, the offender will receive up to two verbal warnings. At the third offense, the patron must leave the Library for the remainder of the day and evening.
In the case of any misconduct that is extreme, in the judgement of a staff member, the offender may be ordered to leave the premises and potentially, by order of the Library Board of Trustees, be barred permanently from future use of the Library facilities, including the outside premises.