BOROUGH OF TOTOWA PUBLIC LIBRARY

PRIVILEGES & POLICIES

December 1, 2020 UPDATE​ 

Dear Library Patrons,

The health and safety of our patrons and staff remain our top priority. Therefore, due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in our area and the one positive COVID-19 case amongst staff, the building will remain closed to the public indefinitely. However, we will resume our curbside pickup and other services during library hours*.

The following materials and services are available:

• Browse and Borrow Book and Media Fair is available daily and is located in the rear of the building

• Curbside Pickup is available and is located in the rear of the building

• Faxing, Printing and Scanning is available curbside while you wait

• Home Delivery for Totowa homebound residents is available

• Library of Things offerings are available for pick up in the rear of the building

• Library staff is available to assist with reference questions, database instruction, reader’s advisory etc. via phone or email

• Notary services are available by appointment only

Please note that all library materials except for the Library of Things must be returned to the book and media returns located in front of the building. Library of Things items must be returned during library hours to the designated table in the rear of the building. For your information, all returned materials will be quarantined for four days upon return.

For everyone’s safety, we kindly ask that patrons follow all COVID-19 safety protocols including wearing a mask, hand sanitization, and social distancing when picking up materials. For your information, all staff are required to conduct a daily health screening before coming to work and practice all safety protocols while working at the library. 

Visit us anytime on the web as our virtual resources are available 24/7 including audiobooks, eBooks, databases, magazines, movies, music and tutoring assistance  @ totowapl.org/virtual.  Additionally, virtual programming for all ages will resume shortly.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 is constantly changing, the Board of Trustees and Library staff will monitor the COVID-19 cases in our area in order to make a determination as to when it will be safe to open the building to the public again.

*Library hours:

Monday – Wednesday – Friday: 10-5

Tuesday – Thursday: 10-6

Saturday: 10-2

For more information - Please visit our website

Call 973-790-3265 or email:

Stay safe and healthy.

Borough of Totowa Public Library Board of Trustees & Library Staff 

The Borough of Totowa Public Library is closed at the discretion of the Board of Trustee President and Director of the library. They will also decide when the weather has improved sufficiently to reopen the library.

Please call ahead (973-790-3265 X10) or check our Twitter Feed, also posted on this website's home page, before coming to the library to be sure that the library is open.

All overddue video fines will be waived for the days the library are closed due to inclement weather.

BOOKS, MUSICAL CD'S AUDIO BOOKS

Fines are charged at a rate of 10 cents for each day an item is late with a maximum fine of $5.00 per item.

DVD'S

Fines for are charged at a rate of 50 cents per day with a maximum fine of $10.00 per DVD.

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Automatic Blockage will occur when $5.00 in fines has accrued.

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Lost Materials: Please see a staff member for lost material charges.

Tools Borrowing Policy & Agreement 

Things Borrowing Policy & Agreement ​

PHOTO RELEASE POLICY

By selecting YES, permission is granted to the Borough of Totowa and The Borough of Totowa Public Library to use any photographs in any Borough of Totowa Public Library promotional material (e.g., brochures, website, newspaper press). I waive any right to inspect or approve any use of the photographs. On behalf of myself and all other persons or entities, I release and forever discharge the Borough of Totowa and its employees, officials, and agents from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action of any kind or nature arising from the use of the photographs under this release. I have read this document and understand its contents. 

UNATTENDED CHILDREN'S POLICY

The Borough of Totowa Public Library encourages children of all ages to visit the library and hopes they will find it a warm, inviting place to be. Programs and resources are offered to make the library enticing to children, to help children enjoy their visits, and to develop a love of books, reading and libraries.

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The happiness and safety of children left alone at the library is of serious concern to the staff.  Young children left on their own in the library become bored, restless and disruptive. Young children are not safe when left unattended.  Further, the staff cannot know if the child is leaving the building with parents or strangers.  

Parent; please be aware that just because your child says they are coming to the library does not mean that they are in the building.  Further the staff cannot know if your child is inside the building or outside the building and cannot be responsible for outside hazards or dangers (i.e. busy parking lot, ramp, steep hill). 

We urge parents to keep in mind that the library is a public building and it is not in any child’s best interest to be left here unattended.

Due to the large volume of after school activity, staff members are not permitted to answer phone calls or in person inquires as to the whereabouts of your child.

It is not our intention to seek out unattended children, but rather to have reasoned response prepared when a problem presents itself.  For the protection and well-being of children who visit our library, the following policy has been established.

An UNATTENDED CHILD is defined as any child under the age of 17 using the public library and facilities unaccompanied by a parent or responsible caregiver.

1. The library is not responsible for the care of unattended minors. The library is not intended to be a daycare, after school care facility, summer camp or babysitting service.

2. Children under the age of six may not be left unattended by an adult/caregiver in any part of the library, including the stairwells, elevator, upper and lower level.

3. Children six to eight years of age must have a caregiver (age 13 or over) present in the library, unless a child is attending a library sponsored program.

4. Children aged nine through twelve may be left in the library without an adult/caregiver for reasonable periods of time, parents are responsible for their behavior and will be contacted if necessary. (Reasonable periods of time may vary with a child’s maturity, but generally one to two hours is acceptable).

5. If problems arise while younger children are using the library or if they are left alone, the library staff will attempt to contact the parents. If the library staff is unable to reach the parents, the Totowa Police will be called.

6. Children thirteen and over may be in the library without an adult. However, should disciplinary problems arise; the library may ask the child to leave. In that event, the library assumes no further responsibility for the child.

7. Parents are required to be at the library no later than fifteen minutes before closing to pick up children, if not the child will be brought over to the Totowa Police Headquarters.

Notes: 

Under no circumstances will the library assume custodial responsibility for any child.

Parents, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior of their children using the library and may be held liable for any damage they cause.

This policy/procedure was reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees at a regular meeting on 2/23/2011.  Updated 9/26/2013