Library Cards

Library cards are issued to Rockaway Borough residents over the age of five with appropriate proof of residency. Patrons ages 5-17 require a parent/legal guardian's signature on the children's card. The cardholder has borrowing privileges at all other Main Library Alliance libraries. Some restrictions may apply. Courtesy cards are for those who live outside Morris County with proof of work in Rockaway Borough. Courtesy cards are issued for one year (renewable) and are valid at the Rockaway Borough Free Public Library only. A replacement fee of $2.00 is charged for a lost library card.

Loan Periods

28 Days: Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction Books

14 Days: Adult NEW Books, Adult New Jersey Books, Adult Holiday Books, Audiobooks, Music CDs, All Children's Books, All Children's Magazines, Parenting Books.

7 Days: Magazines, DVDs, Video Games

Renewals

If an item is renewable, you may renew through the library's online public access catalog or you may request renewal through library staff.

Book Drop

A book drop is located in the front of the building for your convenience in returning books when the library is closed. 

Late Fees and Fines

Please return your materials on time so that others may use and enjoy the items. Fines are charged for materials returned after the due date. A fine of $.10 per day is charged for all overdue adult and children's items, EXCEPT a fine of  $1.00 per day per DVD and $1.00 per day per Video Game on all overdue DVDs and Video Games. In addition, a fine of $1.00 per item is charged for media (DVD, music CD, Video Game) deposited in the book drop. No materials may be borrowed from the library if a patron's fine record exceeds $10.00, according to Main Library Alliance policy.

Lost or Damaged Items Policy 

Library customers are responsible for all materials checked out on their library card. Replacement costs are the responsibility of any customer who loses or damages library materials. In the case of children under the age of 18, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian who signed the minor’s library card application to pay for lost or damaged items. 

1. The library will notify the customer of the replacement cost for a damaged or lost item.

A. Full replacement cost of the item for materials that were purchased by the library within the last 5 years. 

B. Half the replacement cost for materials that were purchased more than five years ago unless the item is the last copy in the MAIN system.   

2. A nonrefundable $2 processing fee will be charged for replaced items. 

3. Customers who pay for damaged or lost materials will have overdue fines associated with the item waived. 

4. When a damaged or lost item has been paid for, that item will be removed from the customer’s record. 

5. The library will not issue refunds for lost items that are found six months or more after payment is received.

6.  Customers may NOT provide a replacement copy of the book that was lost or damaged. Library books are purchased from specific book vendors. These books are manufactured with special glue and binding for long term durability and use. 

Unattended Children Policy

The Rockaway Borough Public Library wants parents to recognize that the library is a public building and that library staff are not responsible for supervising children who are in the library.  The library has implemented the following policy for the safety of all children visiting the library.

Children under the age of 9 years must be accompanied by a responsible caregiver* at all times while in the library. 

Children 9-12 years of age may be left alone in the library for reason­able periods of time (not to exceed 90 minutes) without a responsible caregiver* but parents/guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children and will be contacted if necessary. 

Children 13-17 years of age may be in the library alone.  If the child does not follow the library’s rules of conduct, the library staff will contact the child’s parent/guardian.

Parents/guardians, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior of their children in using the library and library materials.

Staff members are not permitted to transport or take an unattended child away from the library building.