771 Haddon Avenue
Collingswood, NJ 08108
856-858-0649 (voice)
856-858-5016 (fax)

On-line Catalog (CamCat)

Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Saturdays mid-June-Labor Day: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.

Brett Bonfield, Director
E-mail Library Director

"WHAT'S NEW " | General information | Mission Statement
Rules and Regulations | Links | CamCat | Events Calendar
History | Special Programs | Friends Of The Library | Youth Services



"WHAT'S NEW "

The Library is now open on Sundays!
The Library now has Sunday hours from 12 to 4 PM. The full services of the Library will be available during Sunday hours.

Free wireless internet access @ your library
Imagine walking into almost any Public Library in South Jersey and finding a free high-speed wireless Internet connection available for your use. This vision is now a reality.

The South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative (SJRLC) announced recently the availability of free high-speed wireless Internet “hotspots” at some 40 locations across South Jersey. Funding for the wireless hotspots was provided by the South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative and the New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State College. The Collingswood Library is one of those library locations offering this new service.

Unlike wireless networks found in many coffee shops, airports and hotels, there is no charge to access any of the libraries’ hotspots. To take advantage of a library’s wireless hotspot, a customer only needs a laptop or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that has wireless connectivity. Most laptops and PDAS are now shipped with wireless functionality built in, while others can easily add wireless capability by using an inexpensive adapter.

While libraries will continue to offer Internet access at library computers, the wireless network allows customers to use their own laptops to access high speed Internet in the library – very convenient for those who have their business documents, research, schoolwork and email account settings saved on their computers.

[back to top]



General information

COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE
Two public computers are available for Word, Excel and Power Point. The Collingswood Public Library offers free access to the Internet and other electronic resources as part of its mission to meet the collective informational needs and cultural interests of borough residents of all ages. Presently the Library does employ filters on its Internet stations. For a complete listing of the Library's Computer and Internet policy, see "Rules and Regulations".


DISPLAY CASE
A display case is available to local organizations wishing to highlight events or exhibit memorabilia. The case may be scheduled by phoning 856-858-0649.


HOME-BOUND SERVICE
Arrangements can be made to deliver certain materials to homebound Collingswood residents. For information call 856-858-0649.


INTER-LIBRARY LOANS AND OTHER SERVICES
If the Collingswood Library does not have a particular book or other item a patron wants, it may often be borrowed from another library through regional, state, and local library networks. This service may take as few as one or two days or as long as several weeks depending upon the location of the lending library. The fee for this service ranges from 50 cents to $1.50 or more depending upon the source of the loan. Patrons must be library members for 30 days before utilizing this service.


LIBRARY CARDS
A. Residents of the Borough of Collingswood are eligible for FREE Library Cards.

B. Non-Resident – Free cards are available for the following:

1. Non-resident owners of property in Collingswood
2. Non-resident teachers in Collingswood public and parochial schools
3. Non-resident employees of the Borough of Collingswood
4. Non-resident clergy on the staff of Collingswood churches
5. Owners of Businesses located in Collingswood

C. Non-residents not eligible for free cards are welcome to join the Library for an annual fee of $35.

When making application for membership, adults must present current traceable identification, which includes both name and address: for example, a driver’s license, rent receipt, utility bill, bankbook, or apartment lease. Non-resident owners of property or of a business should present a borough tax bill. Children in kindergarten and up to age 14 are issued children’s cards, which must be signed by a parent or guardian.

Cards for residents are generally issued for a period of two years. Non-resident cards are issued for one year. The replacement fee for a lost card is $3.


LOCAL/NEW JERSEY HISTORY COLLECTION
The Library boasts an excellent collection of over 3000 titles on South Jersey, Camden County, and Collingswood history and Genealogy. It also has an extensive collection of photographs of Collingswood people, buildings and events. Since much of this collection is fragile in nature it is shelved in a special area. Consulting this collection requires an appointment. For an appointment phone 856-858-0649 and ask for the Director.


MATERIALS AVAILABLE
The Library maintains a collection of nearly 70,000 items, the vast majority of which are available for circulation. In addition, the Library has special collections of large print books for patrons who have difficulty reading conventional print.

A permanent collection of over 600 videos and DVDs, representing a broad subject range, is available free of charge.

Through membership in the South Jersey Audio Circuit a rotating collection of over 100 unabridged titles is also available. The Library also maintains a permanent collection of several hundred cassettes and more than 500 CDs.


MEETING ROOM
The Library maintains a meeting room with a capacity of approximately 75 persons. Priority for utilizing this room is given to Collingswood organizations. As demand for this room is very high, application for use must be made at least two months prior to anticipated use. For information on rental and other rules governing this room phone the Library Director at 856-858-0649.


PHOTOCOPIERS
Two coin operated self-service copiers, one on each floor, are available.
Fee: 15 cents per copy.


RESERVES
If an item is not on the shelf patrons may fill out a reserve slip at the circulation desk. Patrons will be notified by telephone when the item becomes available.
Fee: 15 cents.

[back to top]



Mission Statement
The Collingswood Public Library serves the residents of the Borough of Collingswood by providing access to a broad range of information and ideas.

Founded in 1910 the Library is a center for lifelong learning for patrons of all ages, backgrounds and interests. The Library’s collections and services reflect the informational, educational and cultural needs of the community.

[back to top]



Rules and Regulations

CIRCULATION GUIDELINES
Books, audiocassettes, and CDs may be borrowed for 21 days and renewed once, either at the Library or by calling 856-858-0649, unless an item is on hold for another patron. Videocassettes and DVDs circulate for one week with no renewals. Adults may borrow a total of 15 items of which no more than three may be videos, DVDs, audios, or CDs. Children may borrow up to five items. Depending upon the weight of school assignments, circulation limits are periodically placed on certain classes of materials in the Young People’s Department. For both adults and children, there is a limit of three books per subject or author.


COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE POLICY

Access
Only Collingswood Library cardholders in good standing (without fines or overdue books) may access the Internet. All Internet resources are provided equally to each Internet user.

The Library does not monitor, control or endorse any information found on the Internet and is not responsible for its content, thoroughness, timeliness or accuracy. Users are advised to evaluate for themselves the validity of information accessed on the Internet.

Parents or guardians, not the Library or its staff, are responsible for the information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parents are advised to supervise their children’s Internet sessions.

The Library supports the user’s right to privacy for Internet sessions, as with all resources and services provided by the Library, but because security is technically difficult to achieve, users are advised that electronic communications and files could become public.

The Library does not offer electronic mail accounts to Library users.

The Library is not responsible for damage to a user’s disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur, whether directly, indirectly or consequently, from use of the Library’s computers, including any damage resulting from viruses.

The Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet session at any time.

Rules For Computer Use

Computer time is available on a first come, first served basis. Internet and Word Processing are available from:
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Summer Saturdays
Patrons are required to have a Collingswood Library Card in good standing (with no overdue books or fines owed).

Users must be at least 10 years old, except in the Children’s Department.

Patrons may use the computer for two – 30 minute time segments, not necessarily concurrently, per day.

Patrons may not bring in their own disks from home.
Patrons wishing to save their work must purchase a disk at the circulation desk for $1 each.

Discs may be left at the library for use another time. Discs cannot be taken out and brought in for use another time.

Copies are 15 cents apiece.


OVERDUE CHARGES
There is a 10 cents per day/per item overdue charge on books; 25 cents per day/per item on CDs and audiotapes and $2.50 per day for videocassettes. The maximum overdue charge per book is $2, $4 per cassette title and $10 per video title. Overdue library materials –EXCEPT VIDEOS, DVDS, and AUDIO CASSETTES- may be placed in the orange-colored book drops located outside the Library building and the fine paid later – the computer will calculate the amount due automatically.

[back to top]



Links

Coming Soon!

[back to top]



CamCat

CamCat is the on-line combined catalog for the Camden County Library System and Camden County College Library. It allows users to search for materials and has access to the Camden County Library website.

To access the on-line catalog, click here.

[back to top]



Events Calendar

Coming Soon

[back to top]



History

Coming Soon

[back to top]



Special Programs

Coming Soon

[back to top]



Friends Of The Library

The Friends of the Library is a community based, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the financial needs of the Collingswood Public Library and encouraging education and cultural development within the community.

The Friends is governed by a volunteer executive board which works in collaboration and partnership with the Library Director, Board of Trustees and Library Staff to provide financial and educational support where needed. The Friends provide financial support primarily through membership dues, fundraising, and used book sales.

We invite you to be a part of our organization and give your support to make the Collingswood Public Library the finest in our region. Current Newsletters and Membership Applications are available at the Library.

Friends of the Library meet the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. in the Library.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Collingswood Library is an independently incorporated institution established by the Borough of Collingswood in 1910. A Commission appointed five-member Board of Trustees (each of whom serves for staggered terms of five years) manages it. The Mayor and the Superintendent of Schools are ex-officio members. The Trustees meet the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. in the George A. Palmer New Jersey Room.

[back to top]



Youth Services
Reading to young children only twenty minutes a day will help develop language skills, improve listening and comprehension, and ready your children to read by themselves. Older children will improve their vocabulary, strengthen their writing and verbal skills, and increase their general knowledge. Reading aloud to your children is the most effective way to create a lifelong love of reading and learning.

The children’s department is located on the upper level of the library. Our youngest patrons can find board books, picture books and easy readers in the De Angeli Room. Please note that an adult must accompany children age seven and under at all times. Fiction, non-fiction, books on tape, magazines, and reference materials are located in the central section of the youth department for middle and older readers. An Internet station is also available. Young adult fiction is located on the Frazer Avenue wall between the adult periodicals and the children’s section.

Please note that parents/guardians are responsible for monitoring book selection and Internet information accessed by their children, not the library staff.

Three, four, and five year olds are invited to join our storytime
group. Gathering on Thursday mornings at 10am in the Peter P. Childs Meeting Room, this program consists of stories, finger plays, and songs. There is also a snack and play period. A theme related craft is given to each child to take home. Parents of children new to storytime need to call Dot Garabedian or Carol Ehret at 856-858-0649 to register and for specific dates.

[back to top]