General Policies

Library Hours

The Berkeley Public Library is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30am to 8:00pm, Friday from 9:30am to 6:00pm, and Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday closed. Hours are subject to change by the Library Board of Trustees.

The Berkeley Public Library will be closed the following days:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving and the Friday after
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
New Year's Eve
Additional days designated by the Berkeley Public Library Board of Trustees

In order to fulfill its mission of public service, the Berkeley Public Library will make every reasonable effort to open to the public as scheduled, consistent with safe access for the public and staff. The library will close, delay opening, or close ahead of schedule when the weather becomes hazardous to the health and/or safety of the public and/or staff. Decisions to close, postpone opening, or close early due to inclement weather will be made by the director in conjunction with the Library's Board of Trustees.

Availability of Materials

All library materials are available equally to all Berkeley patrons under the general regulations. Certain library materials may only be used in the library.

Checks

No checks will be accepted in payment of debts owned the library in an amount exceeding that debt. The library will not cash checks.

Smoking, Eating, & Drinking

Eating is not permitted in the public areas of the library. Smoking is not permitted in any area of the library or within 15 feet of the library entrances. Non-alcoholic beverages are allowed only from closed containers and during specified library programs. Alcohol is not permitted on library property.

Cell Phone Usage

Cell phone usage is prohibited in marked areas of the Berkeley Public Library at all times.

Bulletin Board and Printed Materials

Notices, bulletins, and displays for general cultural or educational interest will be displayed or distributed by the library at the discretion of the Library Director. Distribution of commercial advertising material or political material to patrons or solicitation of money from patrons in the library for non-library activities is prohibited.

Book Return

An after-hours book drop shall be provided for the convenience of library patrons.

Copy Machine

A coin operated copy machine is available to the public. The current cost for copies is 10 cents a page for black and white copies and 50 cents per page for color copies. The cost for copies shall be at the discretion of the Library Director. The Library does not allow the use of specialty paper or labels in its copy machine.

Fax Service

Fax service is available to the public during library hours. The current cost for faxes and additional requested pages, such as cover sheets, is $1.00 per page. The library shall not receive faxes for patrons. Should a patron have a confirmation page evidencing a facsimile was sent from the Berkeley Public Library, staff shall be allowed to resend the facsimile in equal number of pages to the same fax number provided for a period of up to 3 days following the initial transmission. The cost for facsimile pages shall be at the discretion of the Library Director.

Notary Service

The Library has a notary public on staff, and offers this service free of charge as staffing allows. It is requested that you call the library (708-544-6017) to make an appointment with the notary prior to visiting. The library's notary will notarize documents at his/her discretion, but is not able to notarize real estate and immigration documents. Please bring your government-issued identification and documents. Documents must be signed in front of the notary. All people signing the document(s) must be present.

Passport Acceptance Service

The Library currently serves as a Passport Acceptance Facility. There is a cost for this service, which is set by the U.S. State Department. Passport acceptance service is available Monday through Saturdays- for more information, please see the library's website (https://www.berkeleypl.org/passports). Passport acceptance service is by appointment only, as staffing levels allow. To schedule, please call the library (708-544-6017).

Museum and Attraction Passes

The Library currently participates in the 'Museum Adventure Pass' and 'Explore More Illinois' pass programs. Passes are available in limited quantities and administered directly by those organizations. Passes are not reservable and are limited to one active pass per household.

Restrooms

A key for each restroom is available to one person at a time upon request at the public service desk.

General Conduct

Any person abusing the privilege of using the library, or violating library policies or public regulations, will be asked to leave immediately and may forfeit his/her library privileges for a specified period of time at the discretion of the Library Director and with notice to the Board of Trustees.

Parking Lot

Loitering and/or playing are not allowed in the library parking lot. Authorized patron parking is available during normal library business hours only. Vehicles violating parking hours or non-patron vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed at the owner's expense.

REVISED AND APPROVED by the Berkeley Public Library Board of Trustees this 25th day of September, 2019. AYES: 5 NAYS:0

REVISED AND APPROVED by the Berkeley Public Library Board of Trustees this 16th day of November, 2022. AYES: 5 NAYS:0

REVISED AND APPROVED by the Berkeley Public Library Board of Trustees this 24th day of April, 2024. AYES: 7 NAYS:0