Borrowing Policies

Most books are available for a four week loan period. Exceptions are new fiction titles (two week loan) and certain short loan materials such as encyclopedias (one week). All adult and children's audio books go out for 4 weeks.

Shhhhhh! in the library!

Music CDs and children's audio kits go out for two weeks.

DVDs and videos go out for a week with NEW DVDs going out for three days. Renewals are available unless an item is on reserve for another patron.

Overdue Charges

Late items are charged at the rate of 10 cents per item per day. The maximum late fee for items is $5.00.

Internet Access Policy

The River Vale Free Public Library is pleased to offer Internet access to patrons as part of its mission to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the educational, cultural, and informational needs of the community. The Internet contains an enormous variety of material and opinions from varied points of view. It offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information. However, some information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated or offensive to some individuals. The library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. As with other library materials, restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

The Internet, like all of the library's information sources, must be shared and used in a manner which respects the rights of others. Library personnel do not monitor or supervise Internet access except for the length of time of use. Viewing of certain materials in the public library setting may be considered improper. The library reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time at the discretion of the librarian on duty. (Approved by the Library Board of Trustees June 10, 1997)

Community Room

Use of the community room is open to all non-profit organizations based in River Vale and/or the Pascack Valley service area.The room may be used for public functions of a cultural, civic, educational, or recreational nature suitable to the facilities. The room may never be used for commercial purposes, and no fund-raising activities may be conducted without specific Library Board approval in writing. Private parties and functions are not allowed.

Any organization wishing to use the community room must have an officer of the group fill out an application and submit it to the library for approval by the director.

Applications and the complete Community Room Use and Policy information may be obtained from the library. Please have a staff member check the library calendar for date availability prior to submitting an application.

Disruptive Patrons/Unattended Children in the Library

The River Vale Free Public Library seeks to balance the desire to welcome children of all ages to the library for the purposes of reading, educational and recreational activities with the need to maintain an environment that is appealing to patrons of all ages and that is conducive to study, thought and contemplation. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to discuss acceptable library behaviors with children in their care prior to visiting the library.

Disruptive behavior on the part of any patron is unacceptable. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, loud, boisterous talking or the use of profanity, utilizing computer equipment to access objectionable sites, playing or running in the building, mistreating library property, and other activities that distract others from using the library appropriately. Patrons engaging in disruptive behavior will be asked to desist, and alternative behavior will be suggested. Anyone not complying with the staff member's request may be told to leave the building for the day.

One of the goals of the River Vale Free Public Library is to encourage and foster a lifelong habit of reading in patrons of all ages. It is especially important that children feel safe and comfortable while visiting our building. Library staff is expected to treat young patrons with respect, responding to requests for help in using the library and its collections with appropriate actions. Likewise, the staff expects that parents and caregivers will properly supervise children in their care during the library visit. The following policies will clarify the library's policies in this area:

1. Children under the age of nine may not be left unattended in the building. Due to the fact that the library is a public building open to anyone during business hours, the staff cannot and will not ensure the safety or well being of children left unsupervised.

2. Staff will immediately try to locate the parent or guardian of any child under the age of nine left alone in the building. Township Police may be notified when parents, caregivers or chaperones of unattended children cannot be contacted or located within a reasonable amount of time (15 minutes or less).

3. One half hour before closing time, staff will approach all youth who are in the building to ascertain that they are aware of the library's closing time and that they have transportation home. Those needing rides may use library telephones to call home.

4. Two staff members will wait with any child who has not been picked up by closing time. If, after 15 minutes, the child is still left unattended, the Township Police will be called to assist. Staff should never offer to drive or walk a child home.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, Oct. 15, 2001

Last updated 2/7/2007