Who can have a Red Bank Public Library Card?

Anyone who lives, works, owns property, or attends a Red Bank school (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 can find out more about here at the STELLA 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 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?

Wow, there's so much to discover at the Red Bank Public Library! Our collection alone boasts over 40,000 items, featuring extensive sections like Young Adult, Biography, Cookbooks, Large Print, Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Manga, and Spanish-language materials. Plus, we're constantly adding new DVDs, magazines, and audiobooks to keep things fresh.

But that's just the beginning! With your library card, you can access a staggering 1 million titles through STELLA. Whether you visit any of the 43 other libraries in our consortium or place holds online, you can easily pick up your items here in Red Bank. Can’t make it when we’re open, you’re more than welcome to use our 24 Hour Locker System.

And here's the best part—you don't even need to visit us in person to reserve items! With your card and PIN, you can do it all online. We'll notify you when your items are ready for pickup!

Beyond our vibrant in-person offerings, we've expanded our online resources to bring the library to your fingertips. Dive into a world of ebooks, magazines, and streaming video/music with platforms like Hoopla Digital, Libby, and Kanopy. —all accessible with your library card. Explore new languages with Mango Languages, uncover family history with  Ancestry.com library edition, or broaden your skills with free online courses from Universal Class.

But wait, there’s more! Cardholders have access to iPads, Chromebooks and Laundpad Playaways in addition to our eclectic Library of Things and specialty cake pan collection. Whether you visit us in person or dive into our digital offerings from home, there's something here to inspire and enrich every day.

Do I need a card to visit the library?

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

• Access our materials without a card if you keep them in the library. This includes our newspapers, our magazines, and our books.

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

• Free WiFi throughout the Library grounds.

• Scenic views of the Navesink River, make it the perfect spot in town for quiet work with a beautiful backdrop.

• Our community programming is open to all! From monthly Historic Red Bank Walking Tours and the award-winning "Let's Talk About Race" program to weekly story time, 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 more, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Explore all our upcoming events and activities on our calendar.

• Dive into local history with our Red Bank High School yearbooks archive and historic newspapers in the Local History Collection—a nostalgia and discovery treasure trove.

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 various periods. A few items 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 must charge you for it. Accounts with over $10 owed will be frozen until they are paid off.

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 ideal for one person at a time. 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 must complete 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.