About Us - Woodbridge Public Library

The Woodbridge Public Library offers information and services to provide its community with opportunities for enjoyment, personal fulfillment, and lifelong learning.

Library cards are free of charge to people who live, work, attend school or own property in Woodbridge Township. (Avenel, Colonia, Fords, Hopelawn, lselin, Keasbey, Port Reading, Sewaren, and Woodbridge.) Middlesex County Community College students are eligible for a card with the proper ID. All people who do not live, work, attend school or own property in the Township may purchase a non-resident card for $75.00 which is good for one year and can be used by the immediate family.

PROOF OF ADDRESS - To obtain a library card, proof of address is required, and you must apply in person at any Woodbridge Library location. Acceptable ID includes the following:

RESIDENTS - Driver's license, automobile registration, rent receipt or recent utilities bill.

NON-RESIDENTS EMPLOYED IN TOWN - current payroll stub from the Woodbridge employer with the Woodbridge address on it or, a letter with the current date on company letterhead

NON-RESIDENTS TOWNSHIP PROPERTY OWNERS - Property bill of sale or current tax bill

Cards may be renewed when they expire subject to the proper identification. All fines and lost books must be paid for before a new card is issued. Please let us know if you change your name, address or telephone number. Lost or stolen cards should be reported to us immediately.

Most books circulate for 28 days. New fiction, selected new non-fiction, school summer reading list books and children's holiday books circulate for 14 days. Other items circulate as follows:

If the book you want is out, you can place a hold (also called reserve) on it. Patrons can place their own holds at any catalog terminal, or as always, ask the librarian for assistance. Holds can also be placed by calling the Library or from any computer with the Library Catalog. Talking books may also be reserved, but not DVDs/videos, compact discs or school summer reading list books. Always have your library barcode number handy when placing a hold.

Library materials returned late are subject to overdue fines. The fines are 15¢ per day for adult books and 10¢ per day for children's books. Fines on adult books do not exceed $15.00 per item; fines on children's books do not exceed $10.00 per item. Overdue fines for other library items vary. See the complete list of Fines and Fees.

Library users are responsible for the replacement cost of lost or damaged materials. Parents or guardians are responsible for materials borrowed with a Juvenile card (issued to preschoolers through seventh grade students.) The Library has established a flat replacement fee for the various categories of library materials. There is also a non-refundable processing fee of $5.00 for all lost materials. See the complete list of Fines and Fees.

The Library uses the services of a collection agency to retrieve books and other materials which have not been returned in a timely fashion, and to collect outstanding fines and fees. A twenty dollar collection agency fee is added to a patron's balance when they are reported to the collection agency.

This is a non-refundable fee that is in addition to the cost of the book and the five dollar processing fee.

An item borrowed at one branch may be returned to another branch. The Fords, Henry Inman and Iselin branches have book drops; the Main Library does not. Woodbridge and Carteret accept returns of items borrowed from either library.

Print and talking books may be renewed one time only, if there are no holds (reserves) present. Compact discs may also be renewed, but not DVDs/videos or school summer reading list books. An item can be renewed by bringing it to the Library, or in the My Account section of the library catalog, or with Telecirc, the automated telephone system which lets you renew books and check your library record with a touch tone phone.

* Note: This policy applies to the use of public Internet terminals in the Main library and the Fords, Henry Inman and Iselin branch libraries.

The Woodbridge Public Library is committed to providing its library users with the best and most current resources available. As part of our goal to meet the recreational, informational and educational needs of our public, the Library makes available free access to the Internet.

The Library endorses the American Library Association Bill of Rights. All Library users are provided equal access to the resources available on the Internet.

The Internet is a world-wide entity with a diverse user population. The Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy, authenticity or timeliness of information accessed via the Internet. It is left to each user to determine what information is appropriate. Parents or guardians of minors using the Internet are responsible for providing guidance to the children under their care.

Users have the right of confidentiality in all their activities with resources and services provided by the Library. The Library supports the user's right to privacy; however, users are advised that because security is technically difficult to achieve, electronic communications and files could become public. The Library staff will not monitor or supervise Internet access, other than for length of use. However, the Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet session at any time.

The Library has no control over any of the resources referenced by this document. Some or all of these resources may be unavailable at any time. Parents or guardians, not the Library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children.

The Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from its connections to the Internet. The Library makes no guarantee, either expressed or implied with respect to the quality or content of the information available on the Internet. Not all the information available via the Internet is accurate, current or complete. The provision of access does not mean or imply that the Library endorses or sanctions the content or point of view of any of the information or commentary which may be found on the Internet. Because the Internet is a vast and unregulated information network, it may enable access to ideas, information, images and commentary beyond the confines of the Library's collection, mission, selections criteria and collection development policies.

Parents or guardians are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents are encouraged to discuss the use of the Internet in relation to family values and boundaries with their children and to monitor their children's use of the Internet.

To assist parents, the Library has available online the pamphlet “Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet” published by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The pamphlet includes "Tips for Parents". Parents are encouraged to review this information with their children.

In addition, the Library has taken certain measures designed to assist in the safe and effective use of these resources by all minors.

To address the issue of access by minors to inappropriate material on the Internet, including material that is harmful to minors, the Library promotes recommended web sites for children and teens; provides training programs on effective Internet use; and encourages staff to guide minors away from materials that may be inappropriate.

All users of the Internet are expected to use this library resource in a responsible and courteous manner, consistent with the purposes for which it is provided, and to follow all Internet-related rules, regulations and procedures established for its use including, but not limited to, those of the Library.

Recognize that the Internet, like all of the Library's information sources, must be shared and used in a manner which respects the rights of others and refrain from activity that prevents others from using it.

Use the Library's Internet resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only.

Respect intellectual property rights by making only authorized copies of copyrighted, licensed or otherwise-controlled software or data residing on the Internet.

Respect the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; and by not seeking disallowed access to any computer system via the Internet.

Using Library Internet workstations in a way that is inappropriate for an open public area shared by people of all ages and backgrounds or that interferes with customers, employees or operations of the Library.

Using the Library's Internet resources to conduct a business or commercial enterprise, or engage in commercial activity such as the distribution of advertising.

Damaging or altering the setup of the equipment used to access the Internet at the Library.

In addition to the policy, general guidelines for the use of all public-access computers govern the use of the Internet in the Library. Violation of the policies and regulations that govern the use of the Library's Internet resources may result in suspension or loss of the privilege to use these resources. Illegal activity involving the Library's Internet resources will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.

The Library offers basic skills classes in the use of the Internet. Time permitting, staff will try to answer specific questions about the Internet and offer suggestions for effective searching. However, the Library cannot guarantee that staff will be available to assist users at all times the Library is open. Staff can also provide information about Internet training opportunities and Internet books and manuals.

You will need a 802.11b or 802.11g wireless Ethernet device installed in your laptop, or a laptop with a built-in Wi-Fi capability.

A charged battery. Some electrical outlets may be available, but the Library cannot guarantee availability.

In many cases you will not need to change the settings on your computer to connect. Your enabled wireless device will recognize the library’s open wireless network. Simply launch your web browser. Your computer's home page will appear and you may begin surfing immediately.

Library staff is not able to provide technical assistance and no guarantee can be made that you will be able to make a wireless connection. The Library staff is prohibited form making any physical contact with your device.

The Library's wireless network is not secure. Information sent to and from your notebook/laptop computer or other wireless device may be captured by anyone else with a wireless device and the appropriate software.

We have tried to make wireless access as available as possible in our Library, but you may encounter some "dead" spots where wireless reception may be limited. If you have trouble accessing the Internet or staying online please move to a different location within the library.

The Library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment or for notebook/laptop computer or other wireless device configurations, security, or data files resulting from connection to the Library's wireless access, or from connection to the Library's power supply. The Library cannot provide security for your laptop or other equipment. Please do not leave valuables unattended.

The Library cannot guarantee that an electrical outlet will be available to patrons wishing to access its wireless connection.

In some locations (Main and Fords libraries), electrical outlets can be accessed in the study carrels.

At the Iselin branch, one work table has been specifically set up for shared access to electric power.

Impeding or blocking pedestrian traffic by accessing electrical outlets is prohibited.

Rearranging of the Library's tables and chairs is prohibited unless the Library gives its prior approval.

The wireless Internet access we offer is unfiltered. By choosing to use this free service, you agree to abide by the Library's Internet Access Policy. This policy states the limitations of internet access, your responsibilities for using that access, and provides examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses.

Woodbridge Library is not responsible for any changes you make to your computer's settings and cannot guarantee your hardware will work with our wireless connection.

An interlibrary loan is a transaction in which library material, or a copy of the material, is made available by one library to another upon request.

The purpose of interlibrary loan is to obtain library materials, either books (print or audio), language tapes and CDs, music CDs, or photocopies not available in the Woodbridge Public Library (WPL) and to loan books (print and audio), language tapes and CDs, music CDs, or send photocopies to other libraries upon request.

Materials may be obtained or lent in a variety of ways. WPL participates in OCLC and JerseyCat. Requests may also be sent via fax, mail and, by special arrangement, a hand-carried American Library Association form. The method used is determined by the Interlibrary Loan Librarian.

1. This service is offered to all patrons holding valid WPL library cards, regardless of the type of card held.

a. Books (print and audio), language tapes and CDs, and music CDs, not owned by WPL, as well as materials missing from the collection may be borrowed. Photocopied articles from periodicals not owned may be obtained.

b. Materials which will not be borrowed include: Books that are on order until it is determined they cannot be acquired by WPL and videos/DVDs.

b. Photocopies will generally not be requested from libraries that charge fees. If a patron indicates they are willing to pay, effort will be made to obtain the article. The patron is responsible for the cost and must pay by check, made out to the lending library. Many libraries charge for photocopies over 20 pages in length. In this instance the patron is responsible for the cost.

4. Interlibrary loan requests may be placed at the Reference Desk or via our forms page.

Service Provided:
a.    A patron may request no more than 20 Interlibrary Loans per calendar month.
b.    Requests are limited to print materials, audio books, language tapes and CDs, and music CDs.
c.    Renewals and extensions may be denied when the book is overdue.
d.    Patrons may request the same title once per calendar quarter.

5. Patrons will be notified when the requested materials are in the library by telephone and/or a letter sent through the mail.

a. The borrower is responsible for returning materials on time. Books that are overdue will be fined at the same rate as books belonging to WPL.

b. The borrower is responsible for lost or damaged books. A bill will be requested from the lending library and the patron will pay this bill in a check made out to the lending library. If the patron does not make payment, WPL will assume responsibility and patron will be blocked.

7. Books may generally be kept for a period of two weeks. Arrangements may be made to renew books if the patron needs the material longer than the lending period. The patron must speak to a librarian at the Reference Desk to do this.

8. Service will be given as speedily as conditions permit. An attempt will be made to obtain photocopies via fax if the material is needed immediately. However, it must be understood that not all lending libraries will accommodate this request.

9. Interlibrary loan service may be suspended for those who abuse the privilege.

10. Statistics will be kept in accordance with internal, Regional Cooperative Library and State guidelines and requirements.

The library has meeting rooms for library-sponsored and library-affiliated programs such as those for literacy, library partnerships with government and community social service agencies, and Township board and agency sessions. Meeting rooms may be reserved by other organizations if there is not a schedule conflict with these programs, which have priority.

Meeting room requests are made through a written reservation request form available from the library system agencies during business hours or from the library website: http://woodbridgelibrary.org/. Meeting room capacity is as follows:

AGENCY	LEGAL ROOM CAPACITY (Auditorium Style)	LEGAL ROOM CAPACITY (Chairs & Tables)
Main	90	---
Fords	100	56
Henry Inman	60	48
Iselin	104	48

§ Main Library meeting room - $100
§ Branch (i.e. Fords, Henry Inman, Iselin) meeting room - $ 75

LOCATION(S)	DAY(S)	SESSION
Main	Monday - Friday	9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Branches	Monday / Wednesday - Friday	10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
All	Monday - Friday	1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Main	Monday - Thursday	6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Branches	Monday - Tuesday / Thursday	6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Main	Saturday	9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Branches	Saturday	10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Main	Saturday	1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Main	Sunday	1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Applications are approved or rejected based on the availability of space and whether use of the room complies with the regulations set forth in this policy and the Woodbridge Public Library Rules of Conduct [Visit http://woodbridgelibrary.org/]. A room may be used only for the applicant’s stated purpose. Noncompliant applications will be refused.

1. Meeting rooms are not intended for individual use and are restricted to groups with a minimum of 10 or more people in attendance. Groups are responsible for not exceeding the legal meeting room capacities.

2. Meetings are scheduled only for hours the library is open to the public and must end 30 minutes prior to library closing times.

3. Library meeting room bookings for organizations are limited in number due to high demand; no organization may monopolize library meeting rooms. To ensure equitable access to meeting rooms, an organization may book a maximum of one meeting room session per month or 12 meeting room sessions throughout a year.

4. A room reservation form must be submitted to the appropriate Branch Head (at Fords, Henry Inman, and Iselin) or to the Administration Department (for all library system branch meeting rooms and Main’s) for approval at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting date. It must be signed by an adult who is a member of the organization applying to use the room.

5. A meeting room application for any age group through senior high school must be made by an adult sponsor. At least one adult must be in attendance at the meeting and responsible for the group’s behavior and the protection of the building and its contents.

6. The library will not approve a room reservation where intended use is inconsistent with the Woodbridge Public Library Rules of Conduct or inconsistent with meeting room policy and regulations.

7. The library reserves the right to deny meeting rooms to organizations that frequently cancel meetings; do not notify the library about canceled meetings; consistently overstay their reserved time; misuse the meeting room; and that misrepresent their sponsors, content, purpose, and / or audience for the event.

8. Checks for room rental fees and food deposits should be made payable to the Woodbridge Public Library and be imprinted with the name and address of the applicant and / or the applicant’s organization. These fees are due upon room reservation confirmation, and at least one (1) week prior to a meeting. If payment is not received by the deadline, the library will cancel the reservation.

9. An organization must cancel a meeting two (2) weeks prior to its scheduled date or its rental fee will revert to the library. No-show organizations may not book a meeting room for six (6) months.

10. If the library must cancel a meeting room reservation for unforeseen library demands or an emergency, it will make every effort to notify the organization holding the reservation as soon as possible. During adverse weather conditions, reservation holders should contact the library or visit its website for closing information. The library will refund only the room rental fee to an organization when there is an emergency closing.

11. Organizations using library facilities are responsible for all damage to library property which results from their use of these rooms. The applicant assumes full financial responsibility for misuse and damage to the room. The library is the sole determiner of the cost of damages for a room.

12. Applicants assume full responsibility for damage to library property, the property of others or for personal injury resulting from applicant’s acts or omissions

13. The applicant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Woodbridge Public Library (the “Library”) and the Township of Woodbridge (the “Township”), its officers, officials, agents, and servants from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, resulting directly, or indirectly, from any loss, claim, damage or injury to any person or property, arising or alleged to have arisen from the Applicant, its agents, servants, employees or subcontractor’s use of the library facility.

14. Organizations utilizing the meeting rooms are considered a public accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are responsible for providing any necessary aid or service in compliance with the ADA.

15. All meetings are open to the public; nonmembers need not be permitted to speak, interrupt or disrupt group programs and presentations, but must be allowed to attend, observe, and learn.

16. No admission charge may be made by any group using library meeting rooms. Solicitation of money (e.g., admission charges, dues, donations or sales) and fund-raising of any other kind are not permissible during any program held in the library.

17. Meeting rooms may not be used for the purpose of religious worship or instruction.

18. Groups are responsible for their own set-up of chairs, tables, and other arrangements, and must return the room to the condition in which it was found. Set-up and clean-up must occur within the reserved time for the meeting.

19. Organizations must adhere to fire safety regulations, including keeping hallways free of meeting-related furniture and other items.

20. No food or beverages are permitted in carpeted areas of a meeting room; only light refreshments such as coffee and packaged snacks are permitted in uncarpeted areas of the meeting rooms.

§ No catered meals or other food services are allowed
§ The library does not provide coffeepots and other supplies
§ Groups serving refreshments assume all responsibility for clean-up of the meeting room
§ Groups serving refreshments must pay a $25.00 food deposit. If the room is properly cleaned after use, the fee will be refunded

21. Organizations must comply with copyright law in their use of media such as music and video and are responsible for enforcing Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) admission policies associated with rated films.

22. The library is not responsible for supervising children whose parents are attending a meeting within the library. The library’s policy on unattended children states in part that, “Parents are responsible for their children in the library. Children under the age of six in the library must be accompanied at all times by a responsible caregiver age 13 or older.”

23. The library is not responsible for storing or caring for an organization’s materials, nor is it responsible for what an organization leaves behind.

1. Using the name or the address of the Woodbridge Public Library as the address for organizations using the library's meeting rooms. All publicity for an event scheduled for the meeting room shall clearly indicate the name of the sponsoring party. Nothing in the publicity may suggest the library is a sponsor of the event.

2. Having the library publicize an organization’s event (e.g., printing and distributing brochures)

3. Using a room for the commercial benefit of private individuals or for profit-making purposes

4. Holding meetings sponsored by or for a commercial organization for anything other than an informational purpose or at which goods or services are advertised or sold, whether for profit or to raise funds for nonprofit organizations

5. Any sales or business transactions on the premises, including taking orders for items

12. Setting up food service (e.g., catering stations) or eating in hallways / outside meeting rooms

14. Hanging materials (e.g., on the walls, from the ceiling) by any means whatsoever. The organization will be held responsible for damage to a meeting room as assessed by the library.

19. Excessive noise and/or physical activities disturbing other people using the library or causing damage to library property

22. Posing physical or safety hazards or security risks to meeting attendees and / or library employees

1. The library reserves the right to cancel a meeting room reservation for unforeseen library needs and emergencies.

2. Permission to use a library meeting room does not signify endorsement of the aims, policies, programs or positions of the group or organization.

4. The library reserves the right to deny meeting room use to any organization that does not comply with the regulations set forth in this policy and the Woodbridge Public Library Rules of Conduct.

5. The library reserves the right to deny meeting room use to any group that does not leave a room in a clean and orderly condition or causes damage to library property.

Exceptions from specific regulations of this policy may be authorized in writing for the Woodbridge Public Library, Friends of the Libraries of Woodbridge Township, Woodbridge Township boards and agencies, Middlesex County, and the State of New Jersey.

< Approved - Board of Library Trustees - December 15, 1994 >
< Approved - Board of Library Trustees - January 20, 1995 >
< Revised - Board of Library Trustees - November 21, 2002 >
< Revised - Board of Library Trustees - October 21, 2010 >

Please contact the Main Library or Branch where you are interested in volunteering.

Fords Branch 732-726-7071
Henry Inman Branch 732-726-7072
Iselin Branch 732-726-7073

Bob Bonsignore	PRESIDENT
Isha Vyas	VICE-PRESIDENT
Frederick W. Silbon, Jr.	SECRETARY
Carol Eberhardt	TREASURER
Diana Chiu
Barbara Ciocci
Peggy Mayerowitz
Amanda Truppa
Ray Zirpolo