Yes, most borrowed Library items can be returned to the following libraries in our network of partner libraries. The items will be checked-in and removed from your Library Account at the time it is returned. They will then be sent back to the owning library. However, museum passes must be returned here to Bernards Township Library. Library items cannot be returned to Clarence Dillon Library in Bedminster.
Didn't find what you need in the Main Catalog? If the item is not owned by Main, you can use JerseyCat to search for and request materials from over 700 other New Jersey libraries. Items that can be loaned will be delivered to your local library for pickup (please allow up to two weeks for delivery). Please note that JerseyCat works best for items that are at least a year old and we limit requests to no more than 6 per person at one time. If you need assistance, please contact the Reference Staff (908-204-3031, ext. 4) for help with requesting materials through JerseyCat.
There is a limit of 100 items checked-out on your Library account at one time. For digital materials, there may be limits in place. Please visit our Virtual Library page for complete borrowing guidlines.
1) Pay the replacement retail price of the item (ask a staff member for the replacement cost). We do not accept replacements. 2) If an item is owned by a different library, please contact them for procedures. 3) After a lost item is paid, no refunds are given if the item is later found. 4) Overdue fees and processing fees are not added to the replacement cost for Bernards Township Library items.
Late fees accrue daily, until overdue materials are returned and may reach a maximum of $5.00 for all items (except Museum passes). Late fees will not be assessed on the Library's closed dates, or when the Library is unexpectedly closed for the entire day due to inclement weather or special circumstances. However, some items borrowed from other libraries in our network of partner libraries have different fees for late library items.
Fees are paid with cash, checks made payable to “Bernards Township Library”, or credit or debit cards (processing fees apply) for payment.
Patrons must present their library card or the Main App to check out items.
Return items 24/7 to our outside book drops. Return date is backdated to the previous pick-up from the book drop sites. Please return Museum Passes to Bernards Library or to the after-hours book drops located at the Library, not the remote book returns.
The library circulation desk will now accept book donations at the following times:
Monday evenings from 6-8PM
Tuesdays-Thursdays from 10AM-4PM
Please do not leave books outside the library or in library book drops. Due to space constraints we may decline book donations at times. The Library will, upon request, provide a receipt for donated items, but cannot assign a value to donated materials.
We DO NOT accept:
**Please note: We cannot accept more than 3 medium size cardboard boxes per week.**
There are several ways to place a hold request:
Residents and property owners of Bernards Township are entitled to free, full library privileges. Proof of residency or property ownership must be shown. Registration is for a defined period and must be regularly updated as appropriate.
Children age 12 and under can apply for a Library card in the Children’s Department. The parent/guardian must have a Library card in good standing, and be present when the child applies for the card. Children ages 13 and up may register for a library card at Adult Circulation or online.
Members in good standing of libraries in communities participating in the following reciprocal programs are welcome to use their community’s library card at Bernards Township Library.
Workers employed in Bernards Township may also be issued a free courtesy card by providing proof of employment in the township, e.g., current business ID or recent paystub.
Students who attend school in, but do not live in Bernards Township may also be issued a temporary library card by providing proof of school attendance, e.g., report card, tuition bill, or current student ID.
Patrons must present their library card or the Main App to check out items.
The system will automatically renew eligible materials checked out on patrons’ accounts for the same period of time in which it was originally checked out. This period of time varies from library to library and material type to material type. Digital materials like eBooks are not auto-renewed.
Automatic renewal occurs three days before the due date. Patrons will receive a combined almost-overdue/auto-renew reminder email which includes:
If a patron does not have an email address listed in their account, library items will still be automatically renewed; the patron will simply not receive an email. Patrons can check their account online to find their current due dates or call the library. Patrons still have the ability to renew items through their library account.
Conditions that may prevent items from being automatically renewed are:
For questions regarding renewal of library items call the adult circulation desk at 908-204-3031 x 2 or the children's circulation desk at 908-204-3031 x3.
Bernards Township Library accounts expire every three years. Non-resident accounts expire after one year. The system automatically sends an email notifying patrons that their accounts are due to expire. Patrons can call the library at 908-204-3031 to renew their library account. Additionally, patrons can renew their accounts while visiting the library. Patrons who are not Bernards Township Library card holds should contact their home library to renew their library account or present ID to renew at Bernards Township Library.
Yes! We have space available on both levels for both quiet conversation and quiet study. Wi-Fi and electrical outlets are available throughout the building. If you need help locating space, please visit the Reference Desk.
We do not, but there are many free classes offered in the area, including Bernardsville Library, Chatham Adult School, and Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County. We also offer Mango Languages, a language-learning app with English Learning courses for all ages. For the most up-to-date information on classes in the area, please contact the Reference Desk at 908-204-3031 option 4 or reference@bernardslibrary.org.
The Library offers Adult, Teen, and Children’s events monthly newsletters. In addition, we have 25 reading suggestions lists. To subscribe, click here.