Registration Policy
Resident Cards:
Adult Cards:
- Any person eighteen years and older who lives or owns property in West Orange is entitled to an adult card in the West Orange Library. These cards are valid for five years, after which renewal is required.
- Students in grades 7 or higher who live in West Orange or whose parent or legal guardian lives or owns property in West Orange is entitled to an adult card in the West Orange Library. These cards are valid for three (3) years, after which renewal is required.
- Individuals are required to show current, valid proof of West Orange residency or property ownership at registration.
- Each card is an individual card, not a family card.
Youth Cards:
- These cards are issued to youth through the sixth grade.
- A parent or legal guardian must sign the card registration.
- A child through the 6th grade who is issued a library card must be present with the parent or legal guardian at the time of registration. The parent or legal/guardian will be required to present a valid birth certificate for the child or documentation that establishes legal guardianship.
- A Parent or legal guardian is required to show current, valid proof of West Orange residency or property ownership at registration.
- The holder of a youth card has the same access to materials and services as the holder of an adult card.
- These cards are valid for three (3) years, after which renewal is required. Individuals are required to show current, valid proof of West Orange residency or property ownership at renewal.
- The holder of a youth card must re-register when he/she is in seventh grade.
- Each card is an individual card, not a family card.
Courtesy Cards:
- Non-residents who work or attend school in West Orange are eligible for a free courtesy card, adult or youth, depending on age.
- Individuals are required to show current personal identification and valid proof of employment or attendance at a school in West Orange at registration.
- Each card is an individual card, not a family card.
- Non-resident courtesy cards are valid for 12 months, after which renewal is necessary. Valid identification, described in 2, is required at renewal.
- Courtesy cards are valid for use with all materials and services except certain programming which is restricted to West Orange residents.
Out-of-Town Membership:
- Membership not covered by the above statements may be purchased upon payment of an annual fee of $100.00 per person. The West Orange Library Board of Trustees sets the fee annually.
- Individuals are required to show valid personal identification which includes address.
- This is an individual card, not a family card.
- Out-of-Town cards are valid for use with all materials and services except certain programming which is restricted to West Orange residents.
Reciprocal Borrowing Libraries of Essex County (ReBL) - Issuance to West Orange residents:
- Any person who lives or owns property in West Orange may be entitled to ReBL borrowing privileges. These borrowing privileges are valid for the calendar year, after which renewal is required.
- Patrons must be in good standing in order to obtain ReBL borrowing privileges.
- Each participating library sets the policy for materials they will lend to ReBL borrowers.
Reciprocal Borrowing Libraries of Essex County (ReBL) - Activating West Orange borrowing privileges to non-residents:
- Patron must present a current library card from one of the participating Essex County ReBL libraries.
- Patron must present valid identification which includes his complete address.
- This is an individual card, not family card.
- Non-resident ReBL borrowers may have borrowing privileges for all materials except new DVDs. ReBL borrowers may not place reserves or interlibrary loan requests. ReBL borrowers may not participate in programs which are restricted to West Orange residents.
Registration Renewal:
1. All individuals in all membership categories must show current personal identification and, where applicable, either proof of residency, property ownership, school attendance or proof of employment in West Orange.
2. All accounts must be paid in full at renewal.
Suspension of Library Membership:
1. Any membership may be suspended if, in the judgment of the Library Director, or her designee, the privilege has been abused.
2. Among grounds for suspension are vandalism, theft of library property, creating a disturbance, or other violations of law or property.
3. The Library will suspend the borrowing privileges of a patron who owes the Library fifty dollars in fees, fines, and other charges. The Library will restore borrowing privileges only after the patron has settled the account in full.
Approved by the Board of Trustees, 01/25/01; Revised 9/27/06; Correction 10/18/06 & 12/20/07.