Welcome to the Middletown Township Public Library. The Library is supported by the taxes of the people of Middletown who expect its facilities to be a clean, comfortable, and safe places for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing, and attending programs and meetings. To this end, the Library is responsible for establishing and enforcing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library customers, volunteers, and staff and for preserving and protecting the Library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds. Reasonable rules of conduct are not in conflict with the Library’s strong commitment to intellectual freedom and to freedom of access to information.
Library property is defined as the exterior grounds, parking areas, and building interior and exteriors.
For the comfort and safety of customers, volunteers, and staff, and the protection of Library property, the following actions are examples of conduct not allowed on Library property:
- Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, Local, or other applicable law, or Library policy.
- Failing to comply with a reasonable staff request.
- Carrying firearms and weapons of any type (except by law enforcement officers and authorized security personnel of the Middletown Township Public Library).
- Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs, and selling, using or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs.
- Verbally or physical threatening or harassing other customers, volunteers, or staff, including stalking, staring, lurking, swearing, and engaging in inappropriate acts of touching, sex or indecent exposure.
- Library computers must be used in a responsible manner, respecting the rights of others and taking care with the use of the equipment. Computer internet settings may not be changed. Customers may not use the library’s computers or a personal computer device while at the library for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose. N.J.S.A. 2C:34-4 prohibits accessing or displaying pornographic and/or obscene materials on a library computer or a personal computer device while at the library. The library is not responsible for the availability, timeliness, security or reliability of its network and does not assume responsibility for the security or privacy of any online transactions.
- Soliciting or conducting surveys not authorized by the Library.
- Stealing, damaging, or inappropriately using Library property in Library facilities or on Library grounds, including books, periodicals, furnishings, walls, computer hardware and software, printers, copiers, phones, and other equipment.
- Trespassing in nonpublic areas; being in the Library without permission of an authorized Library employee before or after Library operating hours; leaving vehicles on Library property, or camping on Library grounds.
- Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving, or throwing things.
- Creating disruptive noises including, but not limited to loud talking, screaming, or banging on computer keyboards.
- Gambling, games, and group activities which are disruptive to the Library environment
- Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that is audible to others. Using cell phones, pages, and other communications devices in areas other than those set aside for such activity. Audible cell phone and pager ringers must be turned off or set on vibrate. High frequency ring tones which may be audible only to select persons are not permitted.
- Using restrooms for bathing or shampooing, doing laundry, or changing clothes.
- Littering.
- Smoking, chewing, and other tobacco use in the library and on the patio area or within 25 feet of any public or staff entry.
- Entering the Library barefoot, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene, or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.
- Visiting the library with head lice or bed bug infestation on clothing.
- Consuming food or beverages in public areas of the Library not authorized by the Library.
- Taking photographs or other images of customers, staff, or volunteers without their permission.
- Using wheeled devices in Library property or on Library property grounds, except in designated areas, including skateboarding, roller-skating, bicycling, scooters, and roller shoes (except for wheelchairs, walkers and strollers).
- Moving Library furniture from where it is placed by Library staff.
- Lying down or sleeping in the restrooms or on any floor, couch, table, or seat in the Library, and by blocking aisles, exits, or entrances by sitting or lying down in them.
- Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children (see the Middletown Township Public Library Policy on Unattended Children)
- Bringing in pets or animals, other than service animals necessary for disabilities, into the Library, except as authorized by the Library Director.
Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff and/or Middletown Police Officers will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with the Library’s established rules, regulations, and policies could result in removal from the premises and exclusion from the Library for a period of one day to one year, or in arrest or prosecution. Violations could also result in the restriction and/or termination of Library privileges, including the use of Library computers and other equipment.
Library customers have the right to request an administrative review of an exclusion order that is for a period greater than seven days.
Library suspension
The Library reserves the right to suspend borrowing privileges to anyone who abuses library policy. This suspension may be temporary or permanent. The Library reserves to right to suspend borrowing privileges based on outstanding fines. In the case of excessive fines, the Library reserves the right to suspend borrowing privileges of the entire household.