Circulation Department

In-Person Service

The Circulation Department is available for in-person service during all of the Library's regular service hours. We ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes before closing for all account based transactions (cards, payments, etc.)

Curbside Service

The Plainfield Public Library is currently providing Curbside Service to provide access to physical materials. Place your order online via the online catalog or call 908-757-1111 x111. You will receive a notification via your preferred method (phone, email, text) that your item is ready. After you receive the notification call again to schedule an appointment for pickup. Come to the library at your scheduled time to pick up your items. Call the staff at 908-757-1111 x111 to let us know you are here. Wait in your vehicle or by the flagpole for a staff member to bring the items to you.

Obtaining a Library Card

Plainfield Public Library cards are non transferable. Only the person whose name appears on the name/signature line of the library card application may use the library card. Unauthorized usage will result in the confiscation of the library card. The true owner will need to retrieve the card from the library with photo ID. Please contact the Circulation Desk for more information.

Library Card Eligibility
Our Library welcomes Plainfield residents and employees, literacy program volunteers, and members of reciprocal libraries to obtain a free Plainfield Public Library card. All Plainfield Public Library cards are valid for three (3) years from date of issue, with the exception of library cards obtained by members of non-reciprocal communities.

Plainfield Residents and Employees
Anyone who lives, works full-time, goes to school full-time, or owns property in Plainfield may obtain a library card; which can be used to check out materials, access online research databases, and use the public computers at the library.  Proof of any of the above will be satisfied by showing such documents as a driver’s license, utility bill, phone bill, pay stub, or an apartment lease. Children in elementary school must have the signature of a parent or legal guardian to obtain a card. Patrons that present ID with a PO Box will be required to show proof of their physical Plainfield address.

Replacement Cards

Library card numbers will not be given at patron's request. If you have lost your card, please visit the Circulation Desk for assistance.

Reserving Materials

Plainfield Public Library card holders may reserve an item by:

• Contacting the Reference Desk at 908-757-1111 x112 for Adult & Young Adult items and the Children's Desk at 908-757-1111 x129 for Juvenile materials.

• placing the hold online through the online catalog
  (your library card number and PIN are required).

Items ready for pickup will be held at the Circulation Desk for seven (7) days. Once the items are ready, patrons can come to the Library to pickup their item or make an appointment for pickup with our Curbside Service. Click here for printable instructions.

Interlibrary Loan

If you are interested in borrowing an item that the Library doesn't currently own and is not available at any of the libraries in our system, please contact the Circulation Department at 908-757-1111 x118 to request the item via JerseyCat, our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system. If the item is unavailable via ILL, please use the "Suggest a Purchase" section of our online catalog. The Library cannot purchase every title requested, but we do take your suggestions seriously.

Methods of Payment

The Library accepts cash, all major credit cards, and online payments via the SmartPay feature of the online catalog.