Code of Conduct Policy
So that the East Rutherford Memorial Library may provide an atmosphere conducive to the appropriate use of its services and facilities, the Board of Trustees of the East Rutherford Memorial Library has adopted the following Code of Conduct Policy:
Rules of Conduct
1. Patrons shall respect the rights of other patrons and shall not harass or annoy others through noisy or boisterous activities not limited to the following:
- Staring at another person
- Following another person inside the building
- Playing audio/audio-visual equipment so that others can hear it
- Singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues
- Running
- Repeatedly setting off the enter/exist buzzer
- Roughhousing
- Behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb or interfere with the use of the library by other persons.
2. Patrons shall not threaten, physically harm, or verbally abuse staff or other patrons.
3. Seating at library tables, carrels, and chairs is limited to the number of persons for which the furniture was designed.
4. No person shall smoke, carry or possess any lighted tobacco or use tobacco products including “electronic cigarettes” or similar while in the Library building or on Library grounds.
5. Food and drink may not be consumed except in the programming room during designated special events.
6. Shoes and shirts must be worn in the library.
7. With the exception of service dogs and animals at library-sponsored events, animals are not permitted in the library or on library property. Pets may not be left unattended, whether secured or not, on the library grounds.
8. Selling products or services and/or soliciting donations are not permitted on library property except as authorized by the Library Director or designee.
9. Taking surveys, asking people to sign petitions, distributing leaflets, and other similar activities are not permitted on library property except those conducted by the East Rutherford Memorial Library.
10. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children while they are on library property, even if the parent or legal guardian is not present. Children under the age of eight must be attended by a parent or other responsible caregiver in seventh grade or higher at all times while on library property.
11. The library is not responsible for personal belongings.
12. Library staff telephones are not available for use by the public. An exception will be made for minors who need to call their parents for rides home or other necessary purposes. They must ask for staff permission and limit calls to one minute.
13. Adults and teens who are not using the children’s department collection or services are not allowed to loiter in the department.
14. The violation of federal or state laws or local ordinances is not permitted on library property. Theft, vandalism, or mutilation of library material or property, are criminal offenses that shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In this regard, the library reserves the right to inspect any and all library users’ personal belongings, including, but not limited to, bags, purses, briefcases and backpacks.
15. Patrons shall not engage in any sexual activity.
16. Patrons may not use inappropriate language, i.e. cursing, bullying, etc.
Persons who refuse to comply with the Code of Conduct may lose their library privileges, up to and including temporary suspension. The following tiered approach will be applied at the discretion of the Director:
- Fist time ban -- 30 Days
- Second time ban -- 6 Months
- Third time ban -- 1 year
If after such time, patrons who refuse to comply with the Code of Conduct may lose their library privileges for 18 months and may only be reinstated by the Board of Trustees by application, if the Board of Trustees deems it appropriate. Patrons who do not comply with library staff enforcing this policy may be subject to removal by the East Rutherford Police Department.
Adopted by the Board February, 2016
Amended, February 22nd, 2018