Policies

• Cards are issued for two (2) years.

​Children of any age may get a library card - it is up to the discretion of the parent or guardian.

• Parents must sign the child's application if they are under 14 years old.

• Children, if they are able, can sign their own card.

• Non-resident senior citizens (65 and over) may pay $50 for a card. A senior citizen is a person 65 years old or over.  They must provide proof of age to get a card.  A card showing they receive Social Security or Medicare is acceptable.  A senior citizen reduced fare card is also acceptable. A driver’s license will show date of birth.

• Non-residents under 65 years of age has the option of paying $25 for a three (3) month membership, $50 for six (6) months or $100 for a full year.

• Patrons who work in Cherry Hill but do not live in the township may purchase a card for $50. They must show a current pay stub or bring a letter from their employer saying they work in Cherry Hill. Cards are good for one year.

• All non-resident taxpayers of Cherry Hill, i.e. people who own property and pay taxes to the Township of Cherry Hill. Any adult members of the household may obtain a card.  They must show I.D. and proof of paying taxes.

• All personnel of Cherry Hill schools, public and private (including Camden County College) but excluding commercial or trade schools.  They should present an I.D. card, pay stub or a letter from the school as proof.

• All township employees including personnel from the Cherry Hill Police and Fire Department.

• The head or owner of any business located in Cherry Hill. They must show proof of ownership and must show I.D. with their home address.

• All students attending public or private schools or colleges located in Cherry Hill.  Students must show I.D. with their home address and proof of attendance at the school.  A report card, tuition bill or school I.D. is acceptable.

• All clergy whose church, temple or synagogue is located in Cherry Hill.   

• Valid New Jersey driver's license 

• Valid motor vehicle registration 

• Current automobile insurance card 

• Past months utility bill (gas, electric, telephone, etc.) 

• Past months bill from a major company (credit card, department
  store, etc.) 

• Current Cherry Hill Township tax bill 

• Cherry Hill High School ID card or current report card 

• Current lease 

• Mortgage documents 

​All identification MUST be current (within the last year). Identification must have a name and a street address. In the case of a post office box address on all identification, the library will call the Camden County Board of Elections (open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to verify residence.

• Interlibrary loans - 2 weeks with one 2 week renewal unless recalled by the lending library.

• Rapid Reads – 1 week, no renewal

• Items with long waiting lists, 2 weeks - no renewals

• Book Clubs To Go (Bags) - 6 weeks, no renewal

• Entertainment DVDs – 7 nights ($2), one renewal ($2)

• Video games – 1 week, no renewal

• Magazines - 3 weeks, 1 renewal

• Renewals - all items may have two, 3 week renewals except as noted above. Any item on hold cannot be renewed.

• Books - 60 items per card

• No more than 4 books with the same first five Dewey numbers per card

• Music - 6 per card

• Audio books - 6 per card

• Entertainment DVDs – no limit

• Instructional/Educational Video and DVDs – 6 per card

• Video games – 2 per card

• All Magazines - 6 per card

• Book Clubs to Go Bag - 1 per card

• $0.15 per day

• $0.25 per day for interlibrary loans (ILL), items on reserve and Rapid Reads

• $1.00 per day for Entertainment DVDs, video games, and Book Club To Go bag

• Certain children and teen items are now fine free. Click here for more details.

​Maximum Fines:

• $4.00 per item

• ILLs, DVDs, reserve books and video games - $5.00 maximum

• Paperbacks and periodicals - $2.00 maximum

• Missing book from Book Club To Go bags - $10.00 per book

• $10.00 referral fee from Unique Management Services will be placed on accounts that have assumed lost items

• Card are blocked when fines total $10 or more 

​Rental Fees for Library Items:

• Entertainment DVDs - $2.00

• Video Games - $3.00

​Prices for lost and damaged items:

• CD or DVD case - $1.00 for single, $2.00 for double case

• Missing barcode - $1.00

• Missing RFID tag - $1.00

• Lost library card - $2.00 for replacement card

• Lost items - determined by the price listed in the library catalog. 

• Lost item processing fee - $2.00

​Miscellaneous Items:

• CDs - $1.00

• Headphones - $3.50

• Flash drives - $8.00 (4 GB)

• Interlibrary Loans - $2.00 per request

• Printing - $0.20 per page for black & white, $0.50 per page for color, photo prints $2 (available in the computer lab only)

• Notary - $3.00 per seal

• Proctor Fee - $15.00 (non-resident)

• Eating or drinking except in designated areas.

• Smoking on library property, which includes the entire indoor area, the terrace, and areas outside the entrance doors of the library.

• Carrying a weapon into the library unless by law enforcement officers or other lawfully permitted individuals.

• Bringing animals into the library except those certified to assist a patron with a disability (service or guide dog) or for a special library event.

• Leaving a child under the age of ten unattended in the library without supervision. See our Safe Children Policy.

• Talking loudly, making noise, or engaging in other disruptive behavior, such as argumentative behavior with other patrons or staff, especially the use of loud, obscene or abusive language; or using a personal computer, tablet, cell phone, or other device that disturbs staff or the public.

• Any behavior perceived by staff or another patron as sexual harassment, invasion of privacy, voyeurism, petting; or staring at another person with the effect of harassment to that person, by following another person about the building with the effect of harassment to that person, by behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other patrons, or other unwanted attention.

• Interfering with another person’s use of the library or with the library staff’s performance of their duties.

• Improper attire, including but not limited to being without shoes and/or shirts

• Damaging or misuse of library property or stealing library materials.

• Selling or soliciting of donations, contributions or signatures.

• Photography or filming on the library premises without the permission of the Library administration and any individuals or groups being photographed.

• Obstructing the entrance area of the library, either inside or outside the building

• Running, rollerblading, skateboarding or similar activities in the library or library grounds

• Engaging in any illegal or unsafe activity not otherwise listed.

• Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other persons shall be required to leave the building.

• Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with a public library while in the building.

Persistent or severe violations of the Library’s rules may result in the suspension of library privileges, including the right to enter or use the facilities and/or borrow materials. The Library Director is authorized to promulgate procedures for enforcing this policy.

The Library reserves the right to:

Individuals who violate this policy may be asked to leave the library immediately. Patrons will be asked to leave immediately for reasons included but not limited to:

Suspension of library privileges for a determinate or indeterminate period of time may also occur. Notice of suspension will be given to the patron. Violators may be subject to penalties under local ordinances and applicable laws.

Library privileges will be automatically revoked for patrons who have disciplinary interventions with police at the library. This includes the right to enter the building, use its facilities, and/or borrow materials.

Amended & Board Approved: September 2015

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Social Media Policy

Purpose

Social media provides a valuable and timely way for the Cherry Hill Public Library to disseminate information about and promote library news, events, projects and services. It also serves to inspire conversation and expand the Library’s connection with the community. The Cherry Hill Public Library regards Social Media as equally important as any other venue for the dissemination of library information.

Definition of Social Media

Social media is defined as any web application, site, or account created and maintained by the Cherry Hill Public Library.

Usage Rules

The Cherry Hill Public Library welcomes the comments, posts, and messages of the community and recognizes and respects differences in opinion. However, all comments, posts, and messages will be periodically reviewed and the Cherry Hill Public Library reserves the right to, but is not required to, remove any comment, post, or message that it deems inappropriate or off-topic.

The Cherry Hill Public Library is not responsible for or liable for any content posted by any participant in a Library social media forum who is not a member of the Library’s staff.

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

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

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

• Obscene content or hate speech

• Personal attacks, insults, or threatening language

• Private or personal information, including phone numbers and addresses, or requests for personal information

• Potentially libelous statements

• Falsification of identity

• Plagiarized material

• Comments, links, or information unrelated to the purpose of the forum

• Spam or other commercial, political, or religious messages unrelated to the Library or its social media postings

• Solicitation of funds

• Any images, links, or other content that falls into the above categories

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

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

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

Amended & Board Approved: August 2017

Safe Child Policy

Exceptional service is of high priority to the Cherry Hill Public Library; the Library is dedicated to providing a welcoming, exciting and safe environment for its patrons. While children of all ages are welcome and encouraged to use the Library’s materials, programs and services, parents and caregivers must be aware that the Library is an open, public building and the well-being and safety of young children left alone or unsupervised is a serious concern. It is for the safety of each child that the Library has adopted the Safe Child Policy.

An unattended child may be defined as a child unable to care for himself/herself when left in the Library without a parent or responsible adult within sight or sound range, any child left unattended for long periods of time, or any child not picked up at closing time.

The responsibility for the safety and behavior of children in the Library always rest with the parent or caregiver and not with the Library staff.

Policy:

Procedures

If the Library is closing due to inclement weather or other emergency, and an unattended child is left at the Library without transportation home, the Library staff will allow the child to call for a ride home using a library phone. At all regular or early closings, if a child is unable to contact a parent, guardian, or caregiver, the Cherry Hill Township Police will be contacted and the child will be placed in their care. Library staff will remain no longer than 15 minutes after closing.

If a child is found without a parent or caregiver during library hours, the following procedures will be followed:

VIOLATION OF THE SAFE CHILD POLICY MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF LIBRARY PRIVILEGES FOR THE FAMILY.

Confidentiality Notice: This memorandum contains advisory, consultative and deliberative material and is intended only for the person(s) named as recipient(s).  Any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information without prior authorization from the original author is prohibited.

Amended & Board Approved: September 2014

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Internet Access

The Cherry Hill Public Library provides library users with the best and most current resources available. We accomplish this, in part, by offering patrons access to the Internet from multiple workstations located throughout the library. The Library does not monitor and has no control over the information found through the Internet and is not responsible for its content, timeliness, or accuracy. Parents or guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for the information selected and/or accessed by their children.

Filtering software is used on the Internet workstations. Because no filtering software is 100% effective, patrons are advised that objectionable material could still be accessed. It is recommended that parents monitor their child's Internet use in the library. Internet users should respect the sensibilities of others when accessing sites that may reasonably be offensive to others.

Normally, the Library staff will not monitor or supervise Internet access, other than for length of use. However, if Internet searching results in disruption of library services, or if patron behavior when using Internet resources becomes inappropriate for a library setting, the library reserves the right to end the session.

All Internet resources available in the Library are provided to each library user. The library may set time limits for its use so that all patrons seeking access will have an appropriate opportunity. The Library reserves the right to end an Internet session when time limits are exceeded.

Confidentiality Notice: This memorandum contains advisory, consultative and deliberative material and is intended only for the person(s) named as recipient(s).  Any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information without prior authorization from the original author is prohibited.

Amended & Board Approved: September 2014

WiFi Policy (2019)

Computer Lab Usage Policy (2014)

Visitor Passes

The library offers 60 minute visitor passes for those who do not have a Cherry HIll Library Card.

(1) N.J.A.C. 15:21-2.5 Library Materials: (d) “Each library shall provide the public free access to the Internet all hours the library is open.”

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Placing Holds and Interlibrary Loans

Search for the item you would like to reserve in the catalog above. Click on the title when you find it in the list and click on "place hold" on the right hand side of the screen. Enter your library card number and your pin. (the last 4 digits of your phone number) Click on "hold" and that is all there is to it. Exceptions: Entertainment Videos and DVD's, Items currently available on the shelf, Rapid Reads, Book Club Bags, Laptops, and Non-circulating items such as Reference Material or Magazines.

Reserving a Book / Placing a Hold

Items in our collection may be reserved at the Information desk, the Circulation desk, or the member may place a hold themselves at the computer terminals.

There is no charge to reserve a book.

Books on order may be placed on hold.

There is no limit to the number of reserves a member may place.

Videos cannot be put on hold through the computer.

Members may put their holds on “Inactive status.” If you are on vacation or unavailable to get to the library for a period of time members will not lose their place in line. However, they must remember to inform the Circulation Department when they want to go back to “active status.”

The borrowing period for reserve books is determined by the following formula: If there are more than three people waiting per book copy, the loan period will be two weeks. For example, if we had three copies of a particular title and there are 10 people waiting, the book would go out for only two weeks. If only nine people were waiting, it would go out for three weeks.

The fine for reserve books is $.25 a day with a one day grace.

Interlibrary Loan Policy

All Interlibrary Loans must be requested through the librarians at the Reference/Adult Services Desk or the Library’s home page through the JerseyCat database. Hand carried Interlibrary Loans must be requested at the Reference/Adult Services Desk. In addition, members may call the library to place an ILL request.

Only members in good standing (not blocked) with a current Cherry Hill Library card can request books on Interlibrary Loan.

A member may ask to borrow four items at a time on Interlibrary Loan.

Members will be charged $2 for a received item if it is NOT picked up.

It takes an average of 10 days to two weeks to get a book on ILL, especially if it is coming from out of state. Books borrowed from South Jersey libraries may take less time to arrive.

Interlibrary Loans are checked out for two weeks. They can be renewed for another two weeks if the lending library approves. Members can call the Circulation Desk to renew, or may renew in person. Books that have been renewed may have to be returned early if the lending library recalls them. Some libraries stipulate that their audiovisual material may only be checked out for one week. Overdue fines for Interlibrary Loans are $.25 per day.

The Cherry Hill Public Library will try to borrow music CDs from within the state of New Jersey only. It is up to the discretion of the Interlibrary Loan Department as to what other audiovisual materials will be borrowed or lent. Educational and some older entertainment videos and DVDs, not new releases, will be lent to other libraries.

Items held by the Cherry Hill Public Library cannot be borrowed on ILL unless lost, missing, on trace, or on claims return.

If a library charges us to borrow an item or to photocopy materials, we will pass the charges on to the member.

Revised June 27, 2008

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Group Study Rooms Policy

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Collection Development Policy

The Cherry Hill Public Library collection development policy fulfills two important functions:

Full Collection Development Policy

Amended & Board Approved : September 2014

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Bulletin Board and Exhibit Policy

Bulletin Board and Exhibit Policy

Amended & Board Approved: January 2015

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