1100 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034 
Policies
Library Membership
Cherry Hill Residents:
All Cherry Hill residents are entitled to a free membership.
- Cards are issued for two (2) years.
Children of any age may get a library card - it is up to the discretion of the parents or guardian.
- Parents must sign the application if the child is under 14
- Children, if they are able, can sign their own card.
Non-Resident Paid Membership:
There are three types of non-resident paid memberships.
- Non-resident senior citizens (65 and over) may pay $50 for a card. A senior citizen is a person 65 years old or over. He or she must provide proof of age to get a card. A card showing he/she receives Social Security or Medicare accepted. A senior citizen reduced fare card is acceptable also. A driver’s license will show date of birth.
- Non-resident 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.
Non-Resident Free Cards:
Free cards are issued for one (1) year to the following non-residents:
- 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. He/she 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.
NOTE: Current identification is always required whenever a library card is issued or renewed
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Accepted Forms of ID for Proof of Residence
The following forms of identification are accepted by the Cherry Hill Public Library as proof of legal residence:
- 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.
Loan Periods
All items may be borrowed for 3 weeks with the following exceptions:
- 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.
Maximum Number of Items Allowed Out
- 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
Fines and Fees
FINES:
- $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
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 - $0.15/page for black & white, $0.50/page for color, photo prints $2 (available in the computer lab only)
- Notary - $3.00 per seal
- Proctor Fee - $15.00 (non-resident)
Patron Code of Conduct
The Cherry Hill Public Library welcomes the community to the library for reading, studying, using library materials and services, participating in library events, and conducting other customary library business. The library strives to provide an atmosphere conducive to the safe and orderly use of the facility and requests the cooperation of patrons in refraining from behavior that disrupts library services. Parents or guardians, not the library staff, are responsible for the safety, care, and supervision of their children at the library. For the purposes of this policy, any authorized person performing a task on the behalf of the library is considered a staff member.
All persons must leave the Library premises by closing time, when evacuation of the building is necessary or at any time when requested to do so by Library personnel.
For the safety of our patrons and our staff, the following activities are not allowed in the library:
- 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:
- Inspect all pocketbooks, backpacks, bookbags, satchels, briefcases, and other similar personal bags.
- Limit the number of persons who may sit together.
- Impose time limits on the continuous use of library resources, including reference materials, computer equipment, public telephones, study rooms, and staff assistance time.
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:
- Fighting or attempting to engage in a physical altercation.
- Unsafe behavior including horseplay, use of hazardous substances,
- Loud, abusive, inflammatory or derogatory language against any one person or persons.
- Damage or abuse of library materials or furnishings, including misuse of the bathroom
- Intoxication and use of alcohol or illegal substances
- Promotion of an unsanitary condition upon one self, other patron(s) or library property.
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.
Approved by the Board of Trustees: September 2015
Safe Child Policy
Safe Child Policy & Procedures
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
- Children ages 10 and under must be immediately supervised at all times by a parent or caregiver (age 18 or older).
- Middle School & High School aged children (Grades 6-12) are welcome to use the Library unattended provided they comply with the Library’s Patron Code of Conduct, which includes, but is not limited to, the prohibition of food and drink, foul language, disruptive cell phone usage, horseplay and loitering . Those children using the library unaccompanied are still the legal responsibility of their parents.
- A child under the age of 14 with no means of getting home when the Library closes is considered a stranded minor.
- Parents/caregivers are responsible for being aware of the Library’s hours of operation if leaving their child unaccompanied at the Library.
- Library staff will not physically prevent a child from leaving the Library, assume responsibility for a child, accompany or transport an unrelated child off Library premises.
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:
- Staff will attempt to comfort the child, if necessary.
- Staff will try to locate the parent or caregiver in the Library and provide a Safe Child Policy to the parent or caregiver.
- Staff will call the Cherry Hill Township Police to pick up the child if the parent or caregiver cannot be located within the Library. Staff will notify the Director and Library Services Manager of the situation when police are called.
- Staff will encourage an unattended child to contact the parent or guardian if it is within 15 minutes of closing time. If a parent or caregiver cannot be reached or does not arrive upon closing, the Library will call the Cherry Hill Township Police to pick up the child. Staff will notify the Director that police have been called.
- The Librarian-in-Charge and/or the security officer – will remain with the child until the parent or caregiver or police arrive.
- A sign will be left on the Library door stating “Unattended child is in the custody of the Cherry Hill Township Police, 820 Mercer Street, 856-665-1200,” once the child is in the care of the police. The child’s identity will not be stated on the sign.
- Under no circumstances will Library staff provide transportation to stranded children or other patrons.
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.
Adopted: February 2005
Amended: October 2008
Amended & Board Approved: September 2014
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
Computer Lab Usage Policy (2014)
Visitor Cards
The library offers 15 minute Express PCs to the community for those who want to quickly check email or do not have a Cherry Hill Public Library card. The library also offers a free 15-minute guest pass to these Express PCs to non-card holders(1). Non-residents desiring more time on the computer may purchase a two hour Visitor's Pass for $3.00.
(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.”
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
Group Study Rooms Policy
- The rooms are intended for study groups, private meetings, and non-profit organizations. As a township building, all forms of business and for-profit use of the group study rooms (including paid tutoring) are prohibited.
- If at least one person in the group has a Cherry Hill library card (or is eligible for one), the rooms are available in two hour blocks and can be renewed for one hour intervals. If no person has a Cherry Hill library card, the rooms are available in one hour blocks and can be renewed for thirty minute intervals. ID must be shown in order to receive the two hour rates.
- All group study room users must register at the Reference Desk.
- Groups (but not individuals) may reserve a study room no more than one week in advance. Room reservations are only available to cardholders. Exceptions to this rule are made on a case-by-case basis and may be made for such things as (but not limited to) exam proctoring and staff use.
- Drink, food, and cell phone use must conform to the Reference Policy.
- Room reservations are held for fifteen (15) minutes before being given to other waiting groups.
- Situations and issues that arise which are not covered under these guidelines shall be left to the best judgment and discretion of the reference staff.
- Want to reserve a study room?
Please call 856-667-0300 extension 2
Revised November 2014
Collection Development Policy
The Cherry Hill Public Library collection development policy fulfills two important functions:
- First, to provide goals and guidelines to librarians that will assist their judgment in making material selections to the collection;
- Second, to outline the collection development process for the public as well as offer a brief overview of librarian principles and ideals.
Full Collection Development Policy
Amended & Board Approved : September 2014
Bulletin Board and Exhibit Policy
Bulletin Board and Exhibit Policy
Amended & Board Approved: January 2015