Paterson residents, property owners and those who work in Paterson can get a card for free. Adults must present two acceptable proofs of address and for those who work in Paterson but do not live here, additional verification of address and employment must be shown.

Anyone 17 years old or younger must have a parent or guardian  (who either has an up-to-date library card or two proofs of address) present in order to join.  Parents/guardians are responsible for any and all materials borrowed by the minor.

Every three years cardholder addresses will be verified by our staff.

You May Borrow

Unlimited number of non-fiction books
Unlimited number of fiction books
All  books – 21-day loan

Audiobooks – 21-day loan, maximum of 5 at any time
Music CD’s – 21-day loan, maximum of 3 at any time
DVD’s – 7-day loan, maximum of 5 DVD’s at any time 

Only patrons categorized as adults may take out videos or DVD’s

Renewals can be processed online – RENEW  – on the phone – 973-321-1223 – or in person, at your discretion.  All books can be renewed twice except new books which cannot be renewed.   Audio books can be renewed twice.   Music CD’s, videotapes and  DVD’s can be renewed once.

Fines

Everything but DVD’s – 10 cents per day

DVD’s – $.50 per day 

There is a replacement cost for lost or damaged materials.  If the account goes to collection the costs increase.

Open Borrowing and Inter-library Loan

Any book the library does not own may be easily borrowed from another library.  Call 973-321-1223 ext. 2295 or stop at the Circulation Desk or the Reference Desk for more information.If your library card has a green sticker on it (indicating Open Borrowing privileges) you may borrow books from libraries within Passaic, Morris, Sussex, Warren, Middlesex and parts of Union and Essex Counties.  Click here for a complete list http://www.openborrowing.org/OBmemberList.pdf.  If you don’t have a green sticker, stop in at one of our locations to get one – it expands your book choices incredibly!

Interlibrary Loan

JerseyCat is a program coordinated by the New Jersey State Library which allows lending of materials among all the libraries in New Jersey. To borrow an item that is not in the PALS Plus catalog, make a request on JerseyCat (must have library card #) or call our Reference Department at (973) 321-1223 x 2295.

Reciprocal Borrowing

Borrowing from Other Libraries

The Paterson Free Public Library has a special borrowing agreement, called a reciprocal agreement, with the other libraries in PalsPlus, our consortium. If a Paterson patron has a library card without overdues or fines, he/she may use that card in any PalsPlus library. Patrons of other libraries in Passaic County are also welcome to use their home library cards in the Paterson Library.

In addition, the Paterson Public Library participates in an Open Borrowing Program that includes public libraries in six counties. A library card in good standing will be honored in public libraries throughout Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren, Middlesex, parts of Essex and Union Counties.

NOTE:  As of January 1, 2015 BCCLS, Bergen County Cooperative Library System, is no longer participating in the Open Borrowing Program.