Rahway Public Library - Borrowing Policy
Rahway Public Library cards are provided free of charge to anyone that meets the following
qualifications
1. They reside within the City of Rahway
2. Non-residents who own property or a business with Rahway
3. Non-residents who work within Rahway
Photo ID and proof of address is required to verify residency.
Non-residents who work within Rahway must also provide proof of employment at a local
business or employer.
Non-residents who own property in Rahway must provide proof of property ownership in the
form of a City tax bill in addition to their photo ID and proof of address.
Juvenile Cards
Anyone under the age of 18 can receive a juvenile Rahway Public Library card by filling out
the application and securing the signature of their parent or legal guardian. Children must
be present in order to apply for a library card. Emancipated minors who have proof of their
court ordered emancipation, may receive an adult card without parental consent.
Limited Library Card
A Limited Library Card may be issued at the discretion of management to individuals who
can provide valid photo ID but whose living situation is unresolved – such as a crisis center,
half-way house, hotel, motel or other similar circumstances. Management may require
additional written documentation to verify the unresolved living situation. Limited Library
Cards will allow no more than two items to be checked out at a time.
MURAL Access
Middlesex Union Reciprocal Agreement Libraries (MURAL) allow for shared access to
participating libraries within Middlesex and Union Counties. Members of libraries in the
MURAL agreement may have access to materials at the Rahway Public Library using their
home library card, as long as their home library account is in good standing. MURAL
borrowers present proof of ID and their home library card. MURAL borrowers must renew
their access to the Rahway Public Library every year.
Pay Patron
People who are not eligible for a Rahway Public Library card and do not have access to our
collection through a library in MURAL are able to receive a library card, with full borrowing
privileges by showing proof of ID and address, along with an annual fee of $50. Senior
Citizens, 65 and older, will have a reduced fee of $10.
Replacement Cards
If a patron loses their library card and needs to replace it, that can be done by providing
proof of identity and a $1.00 replacement fee for a new card.
Approved by Board of Trustees – June 28, 2022
Library Card Renewals
Rahway Public Library cards are valid for two (2) years. At the conclusion of your two-year
membership, you will be asked to re-verify your address and identity in order to renew your
card for an additional two year term.
The Rahway Public Library requires both proof of identity and proof of address when
applying for a Rahway Public Library Card.
Acceptable proof of Identity shall be one or more of the following
Valid driver’s license
Valid state ID
Valid US/Foreign passport
Valid Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Valid military ID
Valid School ID Card (with expiration date)
Additional documents at the discretion of Library Management
Acceptable proof of address must have the person’s name and address and shall be
one or more of the following – electronic copies are acceptable
Utility bill less than 2 months old
Property tax bill for the current year
Current mortgage bill
Typed lease
Current bank statement
Current credit card bill
Tuition bill for the current term
Current pay stub
School registration for the current term
Current report card
Car registration
Car insurance
Additional documents at the discretion of Library Management
Approved by Board of Trustees – June 28, 2022
RAHWAY PUBLIC LIBRARY BORROWING AGREEMENT – TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
I will not lend my library card for use by others
I will keep my registration information current and inform the library if my card is
missing
I will present my card to borrow materials.
I will handle borrowed items responsibly.
You will have the right/privilege to borrow materials and remove them from the library
premises for a set ‘loan period’ which may vary according to library format of
materials.
Eligible materials will automatically renew before their due date for an additional full
loan period. You will be notified via email of this renewal (if you have email
notifications set up).
You will be obligated to return materials by the end of the established ‘loan period’
without further notice.
Items not returned by the date which concludes the ‘loan period’ are delinquent of
these terms and will be marked as lost after 60 days.
Patrons will be assessed the cost of the item and a $5 service fee for lost items.
Fees of more than $15 result in a block suspending the privileges of the cardholder.
A juvenile account being blocked will result in the block of the adult their library card
is connected to. An adult being blocked will not result in the block of any juvenile
cards connected to their account.
You will receive a printed receipt for items borrowed at the time of borrowing
transaction which you should keep until items are returned as your only notice of the
date items are due.
You may request email notifications for items that are overdue for yourself and your
minor children. This is a courtesy reminder and delivery failure of email notifications
is not grounds for waiver of charges.
Your online account is the official record of your library transactions
You may access your online account by registering for a PIN at the library. If you
forget your PIN you must change it.
You may dispute charges on your account in writing to Library Administration, 2 City
Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065 or inf[email protected]
PAYMENT
The library expects prompt payment of charges incurred. Cash and credit/debit cards
are accepted. Checks are not accepted.
Charges on your account are a debt obligation. The library will actively pursue debts.
The library will employ letters, emails, phone calls, and legal proceedings to collect
on debt.
New Jersey Administrative Code identifies unreturned library materials as ‘theft’. City
of Rahway Municipal Code provides for court summons in the case of library ‘theft’.
New Jersey Small Claims Court permits filing for recovery of library debt.
Approved by Board of Trustees – June 28, 2022
