Library Borrowing Policy
Borrowing Materials - Reserving/Placing Holds on Items - Account Holder Responsibilities - Confidentiality
Statement
The Wayne Public Library (WPL) owns almost 200,000 print, physical media, and electronic resources for the use and/or borrowing of by Wayne residents.
As a member of the PALS Plus consortium, Wayne residents also have access to the materials of any member library in the consortium, and vice-versa. WPL’s Borrowing policy incorporates those PALS policies that govern agreements between member libraries to allow this level of access. Any changes in these specific PALS policies or agreements will supersede WPL’s Borrowing policy until that time that WPL’s policy is updated.
PALS Plus member libraries reserve the right to implement additional local policies and procedures that do not contravene PALS Plus policy and agreements between libraries. These local policies may affect access to their collections by non-residents of each member library.
Wayne residents also have limited access to the materials in select New Jersey libraries outside of the PALS Plus consortium through WPL’s membership in the Open Borrowing program. Policies and procedures governing this access, and a list of participating libraries, are available at the Open Borrowing website.
WPL resident accounts also have access to items not owned by WPL or a PALS Plus member library through the interlibrary loan (ILL) system. Policies, rules, agreements and procedures for participation in this system are governed through the New Jersey State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Any changes in those specific policies or agreements will supersede WPL’s policy until such time that WPL’s policy is updated.
While physical materials and some electronic materials are available to use by any member of the public within our physical facility, the borrowing of materials and access to all electronic materials is only possible by establishing a library account and maintaining that account in good standing, including with up-to-date information.
The Wayne Public Library (WPL) owns almost 200,000 print, physical media, and electronic resources for the use and/or borrowing of by Wayne residents.
As a member of the PALS Plus consortium, Wayne residents also have access to the materials of any member library in the consortium, and vice-versa. WPL’s Borrowing policy incorporates those PALS policies that govern agreements between member libraries to allow this level of access. Any changes in these specific PALS policies or agreements will supersede WPL’s Borrowing policy until that time that WPL’s policy is updated.
PALS Plus member libraries reserve the right to implement additional local policies and procedures that do not contravene PALS Plus policy and agreements between libraries. These local policies may affect access to their collections by non-residents of each member library.
Wayne residents also have limited access to the materials in select New Jersey libraries outside of the PALS Plus consortium through WPL’s membership in the Open Borrowing program. Policies and procedures governing this access, and a list of participating libraries, are available at the Open Borrowing website.
WPL resident accounts also have access to items not owned by WPL or a PALS Plus member library through the interlibrary loan (ILL) system. Policies, rules, agreements and procedures for participation in this system are governed through the New Jersey State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Any changes in those specific policies or agreements will supersede WPL’s policy until such time that WPL’s policy is updated.
While physical materials and some electronic materials are available to use by any member of the public within our physical facility, the borrowing of materials and access to all electronic materials is only possible by establishing a library account and maintaining that account in good standing, including with up-to-date information.
Borrowing Materials
Upon registration, a library card will be issued. The library card is the preferred method for borrowing materials. Lost library cards can be replaced at no cost provided the account holder provides proof of identity. Should a library card not be available while borrowing materials, WPL will also honor:
• Current New Jersey driver’s license or state-issued photo ID
• Barcode provided through WPL’s official app
• Photo of the library card on a device, provided identity of the account holder can be verified
WPL and its partner libraries have a wide range of materials that can be borrowed, with differing loan periods based on material type/format. Items may also be renewed for additional loan periods. The number of times an item can be renewed is also based on material type/format. An item may be renewed only if it has not yet reached its maximum renewal limit AND there are no outstanding holds or reserves placed on the item for another patron.
Should an item be eligible for renewal, the materials database will automatically do so the day the item is due. Account holders may also request a renewal at any given time, but the renewal starts the date of the request, not at the end of the original borrowing period.
The standard loan periods for the majority of library materials are:
Upon registration, a library card will be issued. The library card is the preferred method for borrowing materials. Lost library cards can be replaced at no cost provided the account holder provides proof of identity. Should a library card not be available while borrowing materials, WPL will also honor:
• Current New Jersey driver’s license or state-issued photo ID
• Barcode provided through WPL’s official app
• Photo of the library card on a device, provided identity of the account holder can be verified
WPL and its partner libraries have a wide range of materials that can be borrowed, with differing loan periods based on material type/format. Items may also be renewed for additional loan periods. The number of times an item can be renewed is also based on material type/format. An item may be renewed only if it has not yet reached its maximum renewal limit AND there are no outstanding holds or reserves placed on the item for another patron.
Should an item be eligible for renewal, the materials database will automatically do so the day the item is due. Account holders may also request a renewal at any given time, but the renewal starts the date of the request, not at the end of the original borrowing period.
The standard loan periods for the majority of library materials are:
- Books/Audiobooks - Loan Period - 21 Days - Renewals - 2
- DVDs/Blu-Rays - Loan Period - 7 Days - Renewals - 2
- Television Series on DVD/Blu-Ray - Loan Period - 14 Days - Renewals - 2
- Music CDs/VHS - Loan Period - 21 Days - Renewals - 1
- Magazines (prior to most recent issue) - Loan Period -14 Days - Renewals - 1
- Video Games - Loan Period - 7 Days - Renewals -1
In addition to the common types of library materials, WPL also offers various local non-traditional items for borrowing, including, but not limited to, museum passes and wi-fi hotspots. The loan periods, and number of renewals, vary based on item type, and will be periodically reviewed and set by administrative resolution based on demand and any other applicable factors.
A maximum of seventy-five (75) physical items may be listed as being borrowed on a library account at any given time. Limits on electronic materials vary and are determined and governed by the platform the material is downloaded from.
WPL retains the right to further limit the number of items that may be checked out by any one person when heavy demand by subject area, seasonal appeal, format or other factors would not provide equitable distribution to the greater population.
A maximum of seventy-five (75) physical items may be listed as being borrowed on a library account at any given time. Limits on electronic materials vary and are determined and governed by the platform the material is downloaded from.
WPL retains the right to further limit the number of items that may be checked out by any one person when heavy demand by subject area, seasonal appeal, format or other factors would not provide equitable distribution to the greater population.
Reserving/Placing Holds on Items
Resident accounts may reserve, or place on hold, up to fifty (50) circulating items from WPL or PALS Plus member libraries. Temporary Resident accounts can place up to fifteen (15) holds, only five (5) of which can be from other PALS Plus member libraries.
Once received at WPL, items will be available for pick-up for six (6) days, unless specific arrangements are made with library staff. Items not picked up after six (6) days will have their holds removed and returned to the WPL general collection or the owning library, or made available to the next person on the holds list (if applicable).
Non-resident accounts do not have the capability of placing holds on items.
New materials can only have holds placed on them by the account holders of the owning library for the first ninety (90) days that they are made available for borrowing.
All PALS Plus member libraries, including WPL, reserve the right to designate items or collections as not being allowed to have holds placed on them, or to be borrowed.
Resident accounts can place up to five (5) interlibrary loan (ILL) requests per seven (7) day period. Any costs assessed by the lending library will be passed onto the requesting account holder.
Resident accounts may reserve, or place on hold, up to fifty (50) circulating items from WPL or PALS Plus member libraries. Temporary Resident accounts can place up to fifteen (15) holds, only five (5) of which can be from other PALS Plus member libraries.
Once received at WPL, items will be available for pick-up for six (6) days, unless specific arrangements are made with library staff. Items not picked up after six (6) days will have their holds removed and returned to the WPL general collection or the owning library, or made available to the next person on the holds list (if applicable).
Non-resident accounts do not have the capability of placing holds on items.
New materials can only have holds placed on them by the account holders of the owning library for the first ninety (90) days that they are made available for borrowing.
All PALS Plus member libraries, including WPL, reserve the right to designate items or collections as not being allowed to have holds placed on them, or to be borrowed.
Resident accounts can place up to five (5) interlibrary loan (ILL) requests per seven (7) day period. Any costs assessed by the lending library will be passed onto the requesting account holder.
Account Holder Responsibilities
Account holders are responsible for returning materials borrowed from WPL on their account by the date due, and with reasonable wear, so that materials can be made available again to the general public.
Whether overdue fines/late fees are charged to accounts depends on which PALS member library an item was checked out from. WPL does not charge overdrive fines/late fees for items checked out at WPL, except for:
• Interlibrary loans (ILL): $0.10/day
• Museum passes and wifi hotspots: $5.00/day to a maximum of $35
• Realia (non-traditional items): $1.00/day
Any item not returned 21 days after its final due date will be deemed as lost, and the account charged for the replacement cost of the item. Costs will be assessed based on a cost schedule maintained by PALS Plus where applicable. Local non-traditional items will be charged at a rate based on the item type and applicable replacement cost.
WPL will assess fees for any damage it determines occurred while borrowed by the account holder. Damage includes, but is not limited to: rips/tears, broken media cases, damaged binding, marking up of material, water damage, odors, etc.
Should any partner organization bill WPL for any sort of damage to an item borrowed by a WPL account holder, or for a lost item, the account holder will be responsible for reimbursing WPL.
Once the amount of uncleared fees from any source or any reason reaches $5.00, the account will be blocked, suspending borrowing privileges at WPL and PALS member libraries. Once the fees are cleared, privileges are reinstated.
WPL is not responsible for any damage done to machines by the use of library-owned media or materials. Account holders are responsible for proper use of machines and determining if they wish to use the library-owned material.
Account holders are responsible for returning materials borrowed from WPL on their account by the date due, and with reasonable wear, so that materials can be made available again to the general public.
Whether overdue fines/late fees are charged to accounts depends on which PALS member library an item was checked out from. WPL does not charge overdrive fines/late fees for items checked out at WPL, except for:
• Interlibrary loans (ILL): $0.10/day
• Museum passes and wifi hotspots: $5.00/day to a maximum of $35
• Realia (non-traditional items): $1.00/day
Any item not returned 21 days after its final due date will be deemed as lost, and the account charged for the replacement cost of the item. Costs will be assessed based on a cost schedule maintained by PALS Plus where applicable. Local non-traditional items will be charged at a rate based on the item type and applicable replacement cost.
WPL will assess fees for any damage it determines occurred while borrowed by the account holder. Damage includes, but is not limited to: rips/tears, broken media cases, damaged binding, marking up of material, water damage, odors, etc.
Should any partner organization bill WPL for any sort of damage to an item borrowed by a WPL account holder, or for a lost item, the account holder will be responsible for reimbursing WPL.
Once the amount of uncleared fees from any source or any reason reaches $5.00, the account will be blocked, suspending borrowing privileges at WPL and PALS member libraries. Once the fees are cleared, privileges are reinstated.
WPL is not responsible for any damage done to machines by the use of library-owned media or materials. Account holders are responsible for proper use of machines and determining if they wish to use the library-owned material.
Confidentiality
WPL’s Board of Trustees believes that it is the basic right of all individuals to read what they wish without fear of censure or legal consequence. It also affirms the right of every person to privacy. WPL will do all within its power to protect each user’s right to privacy with respect to materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired. Such records will not be made available to any individual, organization or government agency except pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:73-43.2.
Exceptions are made under the following circumstances:
• The records are necessary for the proper operation of the library.
• Disclosure is requested by the user, or by the parent or legal guardian of any minor under the age of ten (10) years old.
• Disclosure is required pursuant to a subpoena issued by a court or a court order.
Adopted by the Wayne Public Library Board of Trustees on December 9, 2025
WPL’s Board of Trustees believes that it is the basic right of all individuals to read what they wish without fear of censure or legal consequence. It also affirms the right of every person to privacy. WPL will do all within its power to protect each user’s right to privacy with respect to materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired. Such records will not be made available to any individual, organization or government agency except pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:73-43.2.
Exceptions are made under the following circumstances:
• The records are necessary for the proper operation of the library.
• Disclosure is requested by the user, or by the parent or legal guardian of any minor under the age of ten (10) years old.
• Disclosure is required pursuant to a subpoena issued by a court or a court order.
Adopted by the Wayne Public Library Board of Trustees on December 9, 2025
