Circulation Policy

Borrowing

• Borrowing privileges are available to residents of Hunterdon County, except for residents of Lambertville and Milford boroughs. Children under the age of 17 must have their registration cards signed by a parent or guardian.
• Library materials are due on the date shown on the receipt presented to the patron at check out.
• A book drop is located at the entrance of each library for return of books and audio visual materials. Items may also be returned to any branch library, member library, or bookmobile.
• Borrowing privileges are suspended when books are six weeks overdue or fines of $10.00 or more are owed.
• Patrons may request books and other materials that are not immediately available. Requests may be placed online, over the phone or in person at the library. Requests for items will be filled in order of receipt and borrowers will be notified when reserved materials become available. Requested material will be held for 5 days.

Renewals

• Items checked out at the Hunterdon County Library may be renewed at any other library in the Hunterdon County Library system, including the Bookmobile.
• Renewals on items which have holds on them are not permitted.
• Items may be renewed for two loan periods; the new due date is calculated from the renewal date NOT the original due date.
• Items checked out at Flemington Free, Lambertville, or Milford Public libraries will not be reflected on your Hunterdon County Library patron record. These items may not be renewed at the libraries in the Hunterdon County Library system.
• Renewals should be done before 9:00PM on the date due to avoid overdue charges.
• Renewals may be done on-line through our website (www.hclibrary.us), through our automated telephone system (908-806-5505), or in person at the library.

Overdue Charges

• The fine for most overdue materials is 10 cents/operating day for each item with the following exceptions:
  
  

  20 cents/operating day: Adult 14-day books Holiday books Interlibrary loan items Art Prints

  $1.00/operating day: Videos / DVDs CD ROMs

  
  
• At bookmobile stops, the same overdue charges will apply.
• Patrons who fail to return and/or pay for overdue materials will be subject to legal proceedings for theft.
• In the event of lost or damaged materials, charges include all of the following:
  • The cost of the item.
  • $3.00 processing fee.
  • Overdue charges as follows:

• The first overdue notification is two weeks after materials become overdue.
• A $10.00 service fee is applied to deliquent accounts referred to the library's collection agency.

Library Services

• Reference and Information Services
• Internet Policy: access available at Headquarters and North County Branch
• Online Catalog: access from home
• Electronic Resources: such as EBSCOhost and Proquest online periodical indexes which are available via our website.
• Interlibrary Loan
• Bookmobile
• Youth Services Department
• Meeting Room
• Friends of the Hunterdon County Library