What has changed SINCE the pandemic?

A lot! We shifted to mostly online programming, and for a while, only offered curbside pickup services for library materials. But we are essentially back-to-normal:

• Many events are now in-person, so please check our calendar. We continue to offer online programming, or hybrid online/in-person programming, as well.

• We are still offering curbside services! This is a contactless pickup — you can place a hold using our catalog for the library’s 24-hour locker system, and when the material arrives, you will be e-mailed a code to access the lockers and pick it up.

• The main floor of the library and the Children’s Room are both open. Computers are again available for use, and there are no longer time limits as to how long you can stay. The West Room and Local History Room are also open for pre-arranged quiet study; please check with the reference desk to determine availability.

• While we no longer require masking within our building, boxes of masks are available at different desks throughout the library if your personal choice is to wear one.

• We have made the decision to eliminate overdue fines at the library. This is a permanent decision, and they will not return even after the pandemic has fully ended. You can read our reasoning for doing so here.

Who can have a Red Bank Public Library Card?

Anyone who lives, works, owns property, or attends school in Red Bank (including students at Red Bank Regional High School) may register for a library card to borrow books and other items. Library cards must be renewed every three years for residents, and every year for employees, students, and property-owners of Red Bank. Your Red Bank card can also be used at other member libraries in our consortium, which you find out more about here at the LMxAC website.

Children are encouraged to have their own library card, which they may apply for in the Children's Room. Children transfer to Young Adults when they reach 7th grade or the age of 13. Persons under the age of 13 must have their application signed by a parent or guardian. 

Non-residents may obtain a library card for an annual fee of $50. Please note: some Middletown residents have a Red Bank postal address but pay taxes in Middletown. They are not eligible for a resident card but are welcome to become non-resident borrowers for the $50 fee. Non-residents are unable to use their Red Bank library card at other libraries within our consortium; however, they are able to request materials to be picked-up here.

What do I get with my library card?

So, so much! The Red Bank Public Library alone has over 40,000 items in its collection -- this includes extensive Young Adult, Biography, Cookbook, Large Print, Comic Book/Graphic Novel, Manga, and Spanish-language collections. We also have hundreds of DVDs, magazines, and audiobooks, and we are regularly adding to all of these collections. On top of our own collection, library card holders have access to the 1 million titles available in the Libraries of Middlesex Automated Consortium (LMxAC). Resident card holders may either visit the 30 other libraries in this consortium, or put holds on books in those libraries using our online catalog and have them delivered for pick-up in Red Bank.

You do not even need to come into the library to put a hold on an item -- as long as you have your card and PIN number, you can do it all online and we'll let you know when you can come pick it up. Or, if you don't want to come in at all, you can check out the online resources we have available to cardholders, including ebooks, magazines, as well as streaming video and music on Hoopla Digital, Libby, Freegal, Freading, and RBDigital. Cardholders also have access to Rosetta Stone, the library edition of Ancestry.com (which is only available at the library), and free online courses from Universal Class. We also have a Cake Pan library, if you want to bake a special cake but do not want to buy the pan for a one-time use.

The Library itself also serves as an open public space for cardholders and non-cardholders alike. We have eight computers for public use in the adult section of the library, five in our YA section (including two Macs), and five in the children's section. We also have free public Wi-Fi. We have a really beautiful view of the Navesink River, so if you're looking to get some work done in a quiet place with a great view, there's no better spot in town.

Our library offers regular community programming, too -- this includes monthly Historic Red Bank Walking Tours, our award-winning "Let's Talk About Race" program, weekly story time outside the Children's Room, the Readin' on the River book club, Anime Club, dance fitness classes, used book sales, computer tutoring, the River Read open-mic reading series, musical performances, and much more. All information on programs can be found on our calendar. Anyone can attend our programs.

We also collect, maintain, and preserve historical materials in our Local History Room. If you went to high school in Red Bank, you may well find your yearbook -- we have yearbooks going back decades, and have digitized many of them. We maintain an archive of old local newspapers, as well.

Do I need a card to visit the library?

No! If you are not a Red Bank resident or a card holder, you are still welcome at our library. While you can't check out our materials without a card, you are welcome to use the public space. Services open to the general public include:

• You are welcome to view our materials without a card as long as you keep them in the library. This includes our newspapers, our magazines, and our books.

• We have eight computers for public use in the adult section of the library, five in our YA section (including two Macs), and five in the children's section.

• We have a really beautiful view of the Navesink River, so if you're looking to get some work done in a quiet place with a great view, there's no better spot in town.

• Our community programming is open to all, as well. This includes monthly Historic Red Bank Walking Tours, our award-winning "Let's Talk About Race" program, weekly story time outside the Children's Room, the Readin' on the River book club, Anime Club, dance fitness classes, used book sales, computer tutoring, the River Read open-mic reading series, musical performances, and much more. All information on programs can be found on our calendar.

Can I attend programs without a library Card?

Yes! Our programs are all open to the public. Some programs are popular and may require registration (which you can do online at our Calendar page or by calling our reference desk at (732) 842-0690 ext. 111), but no card is required to do so.

How Long Can I keep items?

Different items can go out for different periods of time. There are a few items which cannot be taken out of the library, such as newspapers, reference books, and items in the local history room. Here's a breakdown:

Are there fines for overdue items?

No — we have eliminated overdue fines. You can read our full reasoning here, but the short of it is this:

• Overdue fines are ineffective. Studies show they have little effect on return rates.

• Fines are a barrier to access. We don’t want lingering overdue fines to keep people away from the library, because the library is for everyone.

• It doesn’t actually make the library any money. People are more likely to return books that are late if they don’t have to pay a fine, and lost books cost more money than forgiving fines.

There are, however, still limitations.

• While we aren’t charging fines, we are still charging fees. This means if you lose or damage a book, you still have to pay to replace it. Items that are overdue for more than 43 days will be marked as lost — if you return it after that, we will waive the replacement cost. But if it’s lost or damaged, we will have to charge you for it. Accounts with over $10 owed will be frozen until they are paid off.

• While the Red Bank Public Library has eliminated fines, not all of our partner libraries have. This means that if you place a hold on a book in another library in our system and return it late, they can still charge you a late fee. This is true even if you picked the book up and returned it at our library.

Does the Library have Printers, Scanners, and Fax Machines Available?

The library has black and white and color printers available to the public, as well as a scanner and a copier. Our copier also has a fax function. Fees are as follows:

• The first 10 pages of Black and White printing or copying are free. After the first 10 pages, Black and White costs $0.15 a page.

• Color printing costs $0.40 a page.

• Scanning is free.

• Faxing is free.

Does the Library have Quiet Spaces Available?

Yes! If there are no programs in them, patrons are welcome to use the Eisner Room and the West Room upstairs as study or work spaces. Inquire at the reference desk to see what’s available. Permissions is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that patrons are not guaranteed a room to themselves, and that some rooms may be closed for events/library functions. If you’d like to reserve a room for a private event, please inquire at the library about doing so.

Our Teletalk booth on our main floor is also available for private phone conversations, virtual meetings, and private time. It is a small space and is ideal for one person at a time. In order to reserve the booth, please check-in at the Reference Desk before using. People with appointments have priority.

Why isn’t the Red Bank Library a part of the Monmouth County Library System?

It comes down to finances, and we pay less money to get access to more materials by being a member of the Libraries of Middlesex Automated Consortium (LMxAC) than we would if we joined the Monmouth County Library System. For patrons and community members, joining the MCLS would mean two things:

1. Taxes would increase.

2. Residents would have access to fewer services and materials.

If you’d ever like more information about how we made our choice, ask, and we will provide you with the details!

Can I Help Out at the Library?

Of course! We're always accepting volunteers. We are so very grateful for the many volunteers who help us manage the library day to day.  We truly could not function without their generous donation of time and skills.  Here are some of the things you can do for us as a volunteer:

• Shelve books and keep our shelves in order

• Teach computer skills to our patrons

• Organize exhibits

• Assist in the New Jersey History Room

• Help host events and programs

• Set up for the annual book sale

• And much more!

Whether you're recently retired, a student in need of community service hours, or just have some free time to give to us, we would love to have you apply to become a volunteer.  Interested in becoming a volunteer?  You will need to fill out an application form and meet with our Director, Eleni Glykis.  To receive an application or for any questions @ (732) 842-0690 ext. 114.

Patrons who want to support the library can also join our Foundation, which supports the library through fundraisers. 

You can also help us by attending events, checking out materials, and spreading the word!

You Don’t have a material I want in your catalog. Can you get it for me?

Possibly! We are always adding new materials to our collection, so if you can't find something you'd like, please let us know at our reference desk and we will consider adding it.

Do you accept donations?

Cash gifts and donations

Yes! Public funding only covers some of the library's operating costs, so we gladly accept donations. Thanks to your tax deductible gift we can continue to expand our role as a community engagement center, a technology resource, and a partner with many organizations that give Red Bank its unique quality of life. You can find our donation page here.

Materials

We accept books, audiobooks, and DVDs as long as they are in good condition. Your donations may be placed in our collection, or they may be put into our Book Sale room, which helps raise funds for the library. We can't accept damaged materials, and we reserve the right to reject books that we do not believe we will be able to either sell or put in our collection (we typically only accept books in English and Spanish, and are less likely to accept textbooks or technical books, though we have made exceptions to all of the above). We only accept one bag/box of books at a time.