Borrowing Materials
Borrowing
Your Wyckoff Public Library card gives you access to more than 5 million items from the BCCLS consortium of 77 libraries to which we belong. These include bestsellers, audiobooks, DVDs, music CDs, video games, periodicals, downloadable e-books and e-audiobooks. You must present a valid library card, physical or digital, to borrow materials.
Loan Periods and Fines – Wyckoff Public Library Materials*
| MATERIALS | LOAN PERIOD | RENEWALS |
| New Books | 14 days | 1 |
| Adult & Juvenile Books | 28 days | 2 |
| Juvenile Holiday Books | 14 days | 1 |
| Audio Books | 28 days | 2 |
| New DVDs | 7 days | 0 |
| DVDs / TV Series DVDs | 14 days | 2 |
| Music CDs | 14 days | 2 |
| Periodicals | 7 days | 2 |
| Videogames | 14 days | 2 |
Special Collections
| Hotspots | 14 days | 0 $1.00/day late |
| Game & Tech Collection | 7 days | 0 $1.00/day late |
*Items owned by other libraries are subject to those libraries’ fines.
There is a maximum of 50 items per patron.
Your card will be blocked if your privilege expires, you owe $10 or more in fines, or you have more than 10 overdue items. Patrons are responsible for all lost or damaged items.
Fees
Patrons are responsible for the replacement cost of lost or damaged items. The library may accept new, identical copies as replacements for Wyckoff items that have been lost or damaged and are less than 180 days overdue. There are no longer overdue fines for most Wyckoff items.
Overdue Fines
As of January 1st, 2022, the Wyckoff Free Public Library will no longer charge late fees for overdue Wyckoff items.*
This change was made in order to achieve our vision of creating a welcoming environment for all members of the community to connect, discover and create. We are working to eliminate barriers and improve the borrowing experience. We believe that by increasing residents’ access to the library so that they may pursue their educational, occupational and personal interests we foster a stronger community.
Patrons are expected to return items on time so that other residents may borrow them, but we understand that sometimes life sometimes gets in the way.
Fine Free FAQ
Why is the library eliminating overdue fines?
We want everyone to borrow material from the library. The terms of which should be the same for those borrowing physical and digital materials. The more people that come together and utilize the library, the better for our community. We hope this new policy will encourage prior users to come back to the library and attract new users to experience all that the library has to offer.
Have other libraries eliminated overdue fines?
Yes. Hundreds of libraries throughout the United States have eliminated overdue fines, including the neighboring towns of Oakland, Mahwah and Ramsey along with many other BCCLS libraries. Many libraries throughout the country have also eliminated overdue fines, including libraries in large cities like Baltimore, Chicago, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and much more.
But don’t overdue fines ensure that people return library materials on time?
Actually, no. Overdue fines are not effective. Studies have shown that small fines have virtually no impact on return rates. Once someone incurs a late fine, they are less likely to visit the library again. Libraries who have removed late fees report few adverse effects on material return rates. Library staff trusts that borrowers respect the shared resources offered by the library and will be good neighbors by making their best attempt to return items on time, so that others may use them.
Will there still be due dates?
Yes. The library still has a set time limit for materials to be borrowed and we expect items to be returned on time. If an item is not returned on time, automated reminders will continue to be sent out after the due date. Library cards will continue to be blocked if an item is not returned after 60 days. Items that are over 90 days late will be considered lost and the borrower is responsible for the replacement cost.
What if I borrow items from another BCCLS library?
Fines are set by the lending library. If an item is borrowed from a library that still imposes fines, you will be assessed that late fine. Wyckoff Public Library is not charging late fines on the vast majority of items we own or send to other BCCLS Libraries.
Do any Wyckoff items still have late fees?
Yes, a few. Museum passes, WIFI hotspots, and items from our Library of Things.
Requesting Materials
Wyckoff Library is a member of BCCLS, a consortium of 77 public libraries in northern New Jersey with a shared catalog. You may place requests online or in person for any of the more than 5 million items available within the system. If the item you wish to borrow cannot be found within the BCCLS system, we can attempt to borrow it through Inter-Library Loan.
Inter-Library Loans may be requested at the reference desk. Items published within the last six months cannot be borrowed through Inter-Library Loan. If your request is for a new item, you may wish to request that we purchase it. You may request up to five Inter-Library Loans per week.
Privacy Policy
We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
The records of patron use of library resources, materials or services are confidential. Patron borrowing records are protected by New Jersey Statute. No staff member or trustee shall reveal the borrowing history of an individual except under the circumstances outlined by this procedure.
NEW JERSEY LAW
N.J.S.A. 18A:73-43.2. Confidentiality of library users’ records Library records which contain the names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of libraries are confidential and shall not be disclosed except in the following circumstances:
- The records are necessary for the proper operation of the library;
- Disclosure is requested by the user; or
- Disclosure is required pursuant to a subpoena issued by a court or court order.
Procedure
A patron may request that staff identify items currently charged to his/her card. If a parent possesses their minor child’s library card staff will honor requests for the disclosure of information related to that card. Children over the age of 12 years and having full possession of their library card will have their records protected.