Borrowing Material
Getting a Library card is easy. Come to the Library with two forms of identification that show that you are a Morris Plains resident. Children 4 and older can get their own cards, as long as a parent or guardian agrees to be responsible for any charges.
Please be aware that many people have a Morris Plains zip code, but actually live in another town. If you pay your taxes to Hanover Township, Morris Township or Parsippany please go to those libraries to obtain a library card.
Once you have a card, you may use it to borrow or return books and other materials at any of the 38 MAIN libraries.
If you register for Open Borrowing, you will receive a green sticker that will allow you to use your Morris Plains Library card in person only at any of the over 150 libraries in Northern New Jersey that participate in the Open Borrowing program.
If you work in Morris Plains, but are not eligible for a card either from a MAIN library or a library that participates in Open Borrowing, please see us about obtaining a Courtesy Card.
Morris Plains Library loan periods are as follows:
- New Books – 14 days
- Magazines – 14 days
- Books on CD – 14 days
- Children’s material – 14 days
- All other books – 28 days
Overdue fees for Morris Plains library books are $.10 per day. Items borrowed from other libraries may have different loan periods and fines.
Items may be renewed twice as long as there is no one else waiting for the item.Go online to the Library Catalog, log in with your card number and PIN, and click on My Account. You can pick the items you want to renew there. You can also call 973-538-2599 to have a librarian renew your items over the phone.
Books not held by the Morris Plains library but located in the MAIN collection may be put on reserve. Go online to the Library Catalog, log in with your card number and PIN.Search for the items you want, and click on Place Hold. You can also call 973-538-2599 to have a librarian reserve a book for you. You will be notified when the book is available for pick-up.
The Library has access to material from over 200 libraries throughout New Jersey through Jersey Cat. Please check the MAIN catalog first, as we will not borrow anything that can be obtained through MAIN. Please note that books less than a year old can seldom be obtained through Jersey Cat. Call the Library for more details.
Lost or damaged items must be paid for or replaced at the library which owns the item. Please call the library before purchasing a replacement, as libraries have different policies about this.
