Policies

Policy Statement

All residents of Edgewater may be issued a library card, with proper identification. Library cards will expire every three years, at which point the card may be renewed upon verification that the holder is still an Edgewater resident.

Regulations

1. Residents who wish to obtain a library card will need to provide proof of residency.
2. Proof of residency shall be at least one of the following items: driver’s license with an Edgewater address or a utility bill, lease, deed or a tax bill accompanied with a photo ID. The library does not accept Post Office box numbers.
3. For children under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must present identification and possess a library card in his/her own name.
4. Patrons are required to provide their name, address and phone number.
5. Residents who have lost their library card must present identification and pay a $3 replacement fee for a new card.

Revised and Adopted by the
Edgewater Free Public Library
Board of Trustees
May 11, 2016
Resolution 16-28

Type	Items up to 12 months old	Renewal	Items more than 12 months old	Renewal
Audiobook/ Playaway	14	1	28	2
Book	14	1	28	2
CD/DVD/Blu Ray/ Game/Magazine	7	1	14	2
KIT	14	1	28	2
Preloaded Device	14	1	14	2

Type	Items up to 12 months old	Renewal	Items more than 12 months old	Renewal
Audiobook/ Playaway	14	1	28	2
Book	14	1	28	2
CD/DVD/Blu Ray/ Game/Magazine	7	1	14	2
KIT	14	1	28	2
Preloaded Device	14	1	14	2

The Edgewater Free Public Library sets standards of acceptable behavior on Library premises to ensure an atmosphere that encourages the use and enjoyment of Library resources and services, promotes the safety of the general public and the library staff, and protects Library materials, equipment, building and grounds.

This policy pertains to children, youths and adults. Parents/guardians are solely responsible for the actions of their children on Library premises, whether or not a caretaker attends those children. Library staff cannot, and will not, serve as caretakers.

Disruptive and unacceptable behavior includes any activity that:

• Interferes with the rights of other people to use the Library
• Disrupts the normal functioning of the Library
• May result in physical, emotional or mental injury to oneself or others [including sexual content displayed on screens in public traffic areas]
• May result in damage to materials, equipment, building and grounds
• Constitutes a failure to comply with Library staff directives.

Examples of disruptive or unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:

a

• . Eating or drinking, except for a special event in a designated area as authorized by the Director;

b

• . Playing audio equipment so that others can hear it;

c

• . Smoking, striking matches or lighters, or carrying lighted smoking materials;

d

• . Carrying a weapon into the Library unless authorized by law. Any patron

• authorized to carry a weapon must notify Library staff that he/she is carrying a weapon in the Library.

e

• . Bringing animals into the Library except those needed to assist a handicapped patron.

f

• . Misusing the restrooms (i.e., using as a laundry or washing facility or graffiti);

g

• . Leaving a child under the age of 10 years old unattended in the Library;

h

• . Talking loudly, making noise, or engaging in any type of conduct which reasonably can be expected to disturb and interfere with the use of the Library by other persons;

i

• . Talking on cell phones in areas other than the designated cell phone use

• areas (the vestibules); cell phones must be set to vibrate or silent only;

j

• . Interfering with another person’s use of the Library or with Library

• personnel’s performance of their duties;

k

• . Damaging Library property;

l

• . Stealing Library material;

m

• . Threatening to harm, or physically harm staff or patrons, or verbally abusing staff or patrons; this includes rough housing, fighting, or any inappropriate actions towards others.

n

• . Using obscene or abusive language or gestures;

o

• . Distributing and/or posting of unauthorized materials. Materials must be submitted for review and approval by the Library Director;

p

• . Skating and related activities such as use of scooters, inline skates, skateboards, etc. on any Library property, inside and outside the building

q

• . Solicitation of contributions or signatures without the Director’s permission;

r

• . Selling merchandise or services without the Director’s permission;

s

• . Conducting surveys without the permission of the Director;

t

• . Using alcohol, narcotics, or hallucinogens on Library property or coming to the library intoxicated or displaying behavior leading to suspicion of intoxication;

u

• . Requesting staff to protect or monitor children, adults needing care or leaving personal belongings with staff;

v

• . Filming or photographing patrons within the Library without the permission of the Library Director and patrons;

x

• . Failing to wear proper attire, including shoes and shirts;

y

• . Not maintaining an acceptable standard of personal hygiene, e.g. infected clothing or personal effects or unpleasant body odor that may disrupt other users or employees of the library;

z

• . Disregarding posted computer rules;

aa

. Disregarding posted opening and closing times.

The Library reserves the right to:

• Inspect all Library materials, backpacks, oversized handbags, overcoats, luggage, shopping bags and packages;/li>
• Report repeated disruptive behavior to parents, in the case of children, or to the police;/li>
• Require anyone who engages in disruptive behavior to leave the premises. Anyone asked to leave the library is not allowed to loiter in the vestibules, on thefront stairs, rear courtyard, parking lot or lawn areas;/li>
• Notify the police immediately of unlawful or threatening activities./li>

The following additional requirements apply to the Children/Teen Rooms:

• Patrons who wish to access the Library Teen Room must be at least thirteen (13)years of age and up to the age of eighteen (18)./li>
• All patrons younger than thirteen (13) years of age must stay and study in the designated juvenile area./li>
• Patrons who wish to access the Library Teen Room, along with their parent/guardian, must sign this Library Patron Behavior Policy in person in the Youth Services Department.

The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right, on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Library Director, to:

• Restrict Library privileges of disruptive individuals for a specified period of time;
• Ban disruptive individuals from Library premises for a specified period of time or permanently;
• Take further disciplinary action.

ANY PATRON WHOSE PRIVILEGES HAVE BEEN DENIED MAY REQUEST IN WRITING TO HAVE THE DECISION REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF
TRUSTEES.
Reviewed and Adopted by the
Edgewater Free Public Library
Board of Trustees
June 8, 2016
Resolution 16-35

As the Edgewater Free Public Library is a gateway and guide to ideas, information and entertainment, the Library endeavors to develop collections, services and resources to fulfill this mission. One such resource is the Internet, to which the Library provides free access.

The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population. Library patrons use the Internet at their own risk. Internet users should be aware that not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete or current information. Provision of Internet service does not imply that the Edgewater Free Public Library endorses or approves of any material accessed.

Wireless access is not filtered. Wireless access is available in the main upstairs area of the library. Patrons may utilize wireless access with their own personal laptop computers. The library bears no responsibility for the ability to access the wireless or for any technical issues that may arise with a patron’s personal laptop computer at the time of accessing wireless services. Library staff are not available to troubleshoot any access issues.

The library is not responsible for any damages resulting from use of the library’s computers or the library’s connection to the Internet, nor can it guarantee privacy of any Internet sessions. If during routine maintenance, it is perceived that a customer’s usage has presented a threat to the security of the library’s computer system, appropriate action will be taken.

Youth Services

The Edgewater Free Public Library provides Internet access on PCs which are filtered appropriately for youth. Even with filtering, some Internet sites that are inappropriate in a library setting may be displayed.

Parents and/or guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. It is recommended that parents monitor their child’s Internet use in the library, whether using the library’s computers or their own laptops. Because no filtering software is 100% effective, parents are advised that objectionable material could still be accessible.

Internet and Computer Use Guidelines

The following guidelines have been established to maximize fair usage of the Edgewater Free Public Library’s computer resources:

1. Access to computers in the Youth Services area is limited to students of high school age and younger, and their accompanying caregivers.
2. Computers are available during normal hours of operation. The time limit is two hours on the public workstations. The public workstations are maintained by timing software and close down fifteen minutes(15) prior to the library’s closing time.
3. Patrons may not use their own software on the library’s computers.
4. Patrons may not download any files onto the hard drives of library computers. Downloads should be made directly onto a USB flash drive. Patrons must bring in their own USB flash drive.
5. Various printers are attached to the library’s Internet PCs. Black and white printouts are available at $.10 per page. Color printouts are available at $.50 per page. Regarding the wireless access, printers are not available for use with the patron’s equipment. Documents that need to be printed should be saved to a USB drive and printed from the library’s public workstations.
6. Library staff cannot provide in-depth training or troubleshooting concerning the Internet, wireless Internet access or the patron’s equipment. However, introductory classes on computers, Internet and library research databases may be held at the library at times throughout the year. Check for availability of classes at the Circulation Desk.

User Responsibilities:

1. 1. Respect the privacy of other library customers during their computer sessions.
   2. Illegal or unethical use of the Internet is prohibited. The library cooperates fully with authorities wishing to prosecute criminals.
   3. Sending lewd or threatening e-mail messages is prohibited.
   4. Sending unsolicited e-mail messages to large numbers of people is prohibited.
   5. Damaging or altering computer hardware or software is illegal pursuant to NJ Statutes Annotated 2A:38A.
      Patrons may not attempt to circumvent or compromise the security of any host, network or account.
   6. The library makes no guarantees about and is not responsible for the security of information transmitted and received during a patron’s wireless Internet session. Wireless signals can be intercepted and cables can be tapped. Only connections to secure web sites are encrypted.
   7. While using library computers, patrons are expected to abide by the library patron behavior policy of the Edgewater Free Public Library regarding food, drink, and behavior.

With sincere appreciation to the Burlington County Library.
Reviewed and Adopted by the
Edgewater Free Public Library
Board of Trustees
Resolution 16-43
August 10, 2016

Purpose

The library’s facilities are to be used to enhance the education, cultural and community life of the residents of the Borough of Edgewater. The library, for its own purposes, shall have first priority in the use of the Meeting Room in the building; otherwise, priority in its use shall be given to groups and organizations based in the Borough. The library meeting room may only be used by non-profit, educational and cultural organizations and groups.

Application for Use

1. 1. 1. Application for use of the meeting room must be made in writing no less than thirty (30) days in advance of the date requested. Approval shall be at the discretion of the Library Director or his/her authorized representative subject to the policy. No reservation is officially confirmed until the Library Director sends out a written approval of an application. The applicant must acknowledge reading a copy of this policy statement, sign the “Damage, Indemnification and Applicant Hold Harmless Agreement” and complete the attached application form.
      2. All organizations using the Library’s meeting room shall be responsible and liable for any damage to the room or its contents, the clean up of the room at the conclusion of the use of the room and restoration to its original state of cleanliness.
      3. The Library’s meeting room may only be used during the normal business hours that the library is open.
      4. A minimum donation of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) from any group using the Library’s meeting room is required for each day of use of the room.
      5. Set-up of the meeting room is subject to the approval of the Library Director.
      6. If the serving of refreshments is proposed, a specific request to do so must be made in writing at the time the application is presented. This request must be approved by the Director or his/her representative. Arrangements for any coffee pots/urns, food, etc. must be made in advance.
      7. The meeting room may be used for educational or cultural programs or for civic purposes deemed to be for the benefit of the community. The library’s meeting room may not be used for religious or political meetings.
      8. No defacement of the meeting room walls, tables, chairs or rug area is allowed. This includes no taping or stapling of materials or signs on the walls or tables.
      9. Attendance in the Library’s meeting room shall be limited to the number authorized by the Edgewater Fire Department.
      10. The consumption of alcoholic beverages in any part of the library or on its grounds is strictly prohibited.
      11. There is no smoking permitted in any part of the library.
      12. Any materials, equipment or films to be used and any written or printed materials to be distributed (including press releases and invitations) shall be subjet to review by the Library Director.
      13. All meetings are to be considered open to the general public and free of any admission charge. There may be no closed meetings. Any meeting may be visited by the Director of the Library or his/her representative.

Rights Reserved

1. 1. 1. The Board of Trustees of the Edgewater Free Public Library reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to waive any provision contained herein, and to modify or revoke any permission for use previously granted by the Library Director or his/her representative.
      2. The Board of Trustees of the Edgewater Free Public Library reserves the right to amend or cancel any or all of these provisions at any time.

Reviewed and Adopted by the
Board of Trustees of the
Edgewater Free Public Library
Resolution # 16-48
September 14, 2016

The Edgewater Free Public Library desires to provide a safe and appropriate environment for patrons of all ages. The library, as a public building, has staff trained to provide public library services. The staff is not equipped to provide long or short term child care.

A responsible adult or caregiver must accompany children under the age of ten (10) years of age for their safety and comfort while using the library. Parents and caregivers are responsible for monitoring and regulating the behavior of their children while they are in the library. Library staff members will be guided by this policy in situations for all children under ten (10) years of age:

1. 1. • An unattended child is found frightened or crying in the library.
      • An unattended child is perceived to be endangering him or herself, or that another person in the library poses a perceived threat to the unattended child.
      • An unattended child exhibits inappropriate behavior
      • An unattended child has not been met by a responsible caregiver at closing time.
      • Children often attend the library with their siblings. Children are considered unattended if the eldest sibling is not at least fourteen (14) years of age.

Any juvenile under the age of 18 years old who is in the library unattended during school hours will be told to leave the library premises. No unattended juvenile under the age of 18 years of age may be in the library during weekday school hours if they are ill or on suspension from school.

After evaluating the situation, library staff members will attempt to contact the parent or guardian of an unattended child(ren). In the event that the parent or guardian cannot be reached, the child(ren) will be placed in the care of the Edgewater Police Department.

Reviewed and Adopted by the
Board of Trustees
Resolution 16-36
June 8, 2016