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66 MOUNTAIN AVENUE, SPRINGFIELD, NJ 07081
(973) 376 4930 | Questions@SFPLNJ.org
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
TUESDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SUNDAY: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Library Membership

1. Library membership is open to all adults (ages 18 and up) who are residents of Springfield or own property in the Township.   Proof of residency in the form of a driver’s license, voter registration card, utility bill, property deed, rental agreement or other valid documentation must be presented at the time that the application for a library card is made.  For those owning property in Springfield, proof of ownership in the form of a current tax bill must be presented.

2. Library membership is open to all minors (under the age of 18) who are residents of Springfield.  For children who are under the age of 14 or who have not yet started high school,  the application form must be signed by the minor’s parent or legal guardian and the parent or guardian will also be required to show proof of the minor’s residency.  By signing the minor’s library card application, the parent or guardian   agrees to assume responsibility for any fines and/or fees incurred by the minor. 

Residents of Springfield who are between the ages of 14 and 18, or who are already enrolled in high school prior to the age of 14, shall be eligible to receive a Springfield Library card without being required to have a parent or legal guardian co-sign the application.   The student must show proof of Springfield residency.   Acceptable identification will include, but is not limited to,  a student ID card from Jonathan Dayton High School. ID from a parent or legal guardian will also be accepted as a proof of residency, but the parent or guardian will not be required to cosign the library card application.

3. Library cards for Springfield residents and property owners must be renewed every three years with appropriate proof of residency or property ownership provided as detailed in paragraph 1.

4. STELLA (Sharing & Technology Enhancing Local Library Access)

Springfield Free Public Library has been a member of STELLA since 2017.  Because the consortium has integrated library system for all member libraries, Springfield patrons may use their library cards at all other STELLA member libraries as long as their accounts are in good standing.   Additionally. Springfield patrons may use the STELLA integrated online catalog to directly request items owned by other STELLA member libraries.  Likewise, patrons in good standing at other STELLA member libraries may use their home library cards at the Springfield Free Public Library and request items from the Springfield Library directly through the STELLA shared catalog. 

5. M.U.R.A.L.  (Middlesex Union Reciprocal Agreement Libraries) patrons who are in good standing in their home town libraries are eligible for borrowing privileges at the Springfield Free Public Library.   The following rules apply:

a. Borrowing privileges for MURAL patrons must be renewed annually with appropriate ID provided.

b. MURAL patrons must present the library card from their town of residence each time they wish to borrow materials from the Springfield Free Public Library

c. In those cases in which a patron either works or attends school in Springfield but is also a resident of a MURAL community, the terms of the MURAL agreement supersede any other provisions of this library membership policy

d. Anyone under 18 years of age registering for borrowing privileges under the terms of the MURAL agreement must have a parent or legal guardian co-sign their library borrowing application in person.   The parent who signs for the minor’s borrowing privileges must also be a patron in good standing at the public library in their community of residence

e. MURAL patrons will be assigned a lower priority status than Springfield residents so that any holds they place will not be satisfied until after all holds for Springfield residents have been satisfied, regardless of the order in which the holds were placed.

6. People who do not reside in Springfield or one of the MURAL communities but who are employed in Springfield may apply for borrowing privileges upon presenting proof of employment that identifies the employer as being located in Springfield.  This may take the form of an employee ID badge, pay stub, or a letter from the employer on company stationery.   Borrowing privileges for library patrons in this category must be renewed on an annual basis with appropriate ID provided. 

7. Non-residents who attend a public or private elementary, middle or secondary school in Springfield may apply for borrowing privileges after presenting proof of enrollment.  A parent or legal guardian must sign the application form for non-resident students under the age of 18 and the parent must present proof of address even though he or she does not live in Springfield.  All other rules for minor patrons will apply, as specified in section 2 of this policy statement.  Borrowing privileges for patrons in this category must be renewed annually with appropriate ID provided.

8. People who do not reside in Springfield and do not qualify for borrowing privileges as detailed in the preceding sections  may purchase a Springfield Free Public Library card for an amount that is not less than the per capita amount that the Township of Springfield allocates for library services for that given year, rounded up to the nearest dollar.   Non-resident paid cards must be renewed annually and the fee paid every year.

9. All patrons wishing to check out materials at the circulation desk must present their library card for the purpose of completing their transaction.   At the discretion of s library staff member, another form of official ID may be presented in lieu of the patron’s library card; the patron will be told that this is a one time exception.   Library patrons who habitually fail to bring their library card with them  when coming to check out materials will be told that they cannot check out library materials until their library card is presented.

10. The library charges a non-refundable fee of $3.00 for the replacement of a lost library card.

11. Cardholders must immediately report a lost or stolen library card to the Circulation Department.  Cardholders are liable for materials charged out from the time of the loss to the time the loss is reported.   The cardholder’s maximum liability for materials charged on a card that has been reported lost or stolen is $50.00.