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Library Policies

Library Code of Conduct

To maintain a pleasant environment consistent with the nature of a library the following acts are prohibited:

  • Obstructing the entrance area of the library, either inside or outside the building
  • Obstructing aisles and passageways
  • Leaving bicycles unattended at the library entrance rather than in the bike rack on the side of the building
  • Entering the building without shirts or other covering of upper bodies or without shoes or other footwear.
  • Carrying a weapon or weapon look-alike, unless authorized by law
  • Bringing in an animal, unless it is required to assist a person with a disability
  • Using roller blades, skateboards, or the like
  • Eating, drinking, chewing gum
  • Smoking
  • Damaging or mutilating library materials or building structures
  • Engaging in vandalism
  • Engaging in noisy or disruptive behavior, including running, climbing, throwing, loud talking or crying, fighting, jumping, pushing, shoving, staring at another person with the intent to annoy that person, following another person about the building with the intent to annoy that person, stalking another person, or behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons
  • Soliciting or panhandling
  • Conducting a survey without prior permission of Library Administration
  • Photographing or videotaping without prior permission of Library Administration and those photographed
  • Moving or abusing furniture or equipment, including standing or lying on tables or chairs, or putting feet on tables
  • Striking matches, lighting lighters or using other devices that could produce a flame or fire
  • Playing audio equipment or using other electronic devices, (including cellular telephones), so that others can hear it.
  • Verbally, physically or sexually harassing or assaulting library users or staff
  • Engaging in sexual activity, contact or assault or any act of lewdness or exposure prohibited by New Jersey Statutes Annotated 2C:14-1 through 2C:14-8, and any other sexual activity which is inappropriate in a public place
  • Failing, as the guardian, to safeguard a youth: see Guardians’ Responsibilities for Youths
  • Leaving a youth, fifth grade (age 11) or younger, unattended inside or outside of the library at any time, as this is not in keeping with reasonable use of the library as it is intended. See Guardians’ Responsibilities for Youths. If necessary, the appropriate governmental agency will be contacted.
  • Misusing the restrooms, (i.e. using as a laundry or washing facility)
  • Performing personal grooming acts outside of the restrooms
  • Leaving belongings unattended in the building or lobby
  • Carrying bombs or other incendiary devices
  • Engaging in any illegal or unsafe activity not otherwise listed

Anyone refusing to follow these rules or to behave in a reasonable and courteous way in the library will be evicted from the premises. Those who engage in the following acts listed below will lose their library privileges and may be subject to prosecution:

  • Theft of library materials or equipment
  • Refusal to pay fines
  • Vandalism such as graffiti, destruction or defacement of library materials or property, etc.

It is the library’s policy that anyone refusing to follow the Code of Conduct or refusing to behave in a courteous, reasonable and appropriate way will be evicted from the library for the rest of that day or longer. Those loitering or refusing to leave when evicted for cause may be charged with trespassing.

The library is not responsible for any personal property left unattended.

Privacy Policy

  • The records are necessary for the proper operation of the library;
  • Disclosure is requested by the user; or
  • Disclosure is required pursuant to a subpoena issued by a court or court order.

Additionally, under the federal USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, disclosure of library records may be required when a search warrant or court order is presented to the library.The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of a child(ren) under 11 years of age is(are) entitled to information relating to the use of the minor child’s card, as this is deemed as essential and necessary for the proper operation of the library. However, if a child (patron) is over 11 years of age, the library will not disclose information regarding the account with anyone other than that patron, unless that patron authorizes such disclosure.

When patrons telephone for information about items being held, titles will be given if the caller supplies the appropriate library card barcode number. Library staff may confirm that reserves are being held for a person who the caller names, but may not reveal the titles unless the caller provides the library card barcode number. A patron may pick up reserved items for others if he or she presents the other individual’s library card.

When patrons telephone to renew items, the caller must supply the appropriate library card barcode number or item ID. In person, patrons may renew or check out items for others if he or she presents the other individual’s library card.

FTPL Internet Policy

  1. The Library provides free access to the Internet as part of its mission to promote literacy, lifelong learning, personal fulfillment, and the principles of intellectual freedom.
  2. The Library upholds and affirms the right of every individual to have access to constitutionally protected material on the Internet.
  3. Each individual must accept responsibility for determining the appropriateness of the resources that he or she elects to access. Responsibility for youth using the Internet rests with the guardian, not with Library personnel.
  4. No person shall use a library Internet workstation in a way that is inappropriate for an open public area shared by people of all ages and backgrounds or that disturbs or interferes with patrons, employees or the operation of the Library.

Patrons may not:

  1. Display, send, receive or print text, images or graphics of obscene materials or materials harmful to minors;
  2. Display, send, receive or print text, images or graphics that violate laws relating to child pornography;
  3. Use an Internet workstation to transmit threatening or harassing material;
  4. Engage in any activity that is deliberately offensive or creates an intimidating or hostile environment for Library staff and patrons;
  5. Violate copyright or software licensing agreements;
  6. Gain unauthorized access to any computing, information, or communications devices or resources;
  7. Damage, alter, or degrade computer equipment, peripherals, software, or configurations;
  8. Install software applications; or
  9. Use an Internet workstation to conduct commercial activities, including the sale of goods or services.

Professional librarians on staff are authorized to terminate the Internet session of any patron who fails to comply with this policy; to take further action in accordance with the Library?s Code of Conduct; and to report illegal activity of which they become aware to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees: April 23, 2003

Note to Library Patrons:

The library uses security software to prevent your information from being stored on the PCs from one patron session to the next. However, patrons are reminded that the library cannot provide assurances of, and patrons cannot expect privacy at any public computer.

The responsibility for assuring your privacy requires action on your part. Do not save logins, passwords or documents on public computers. If you must do so to complete a task during your computer session, please ask library staff to reboot the PC at the end of your session.

Unattended Children

The library is a public space, like the mall or the train station.

Leaving a youth, age 11 or younger, unattended inside or outside of the library at any time is not in keeping with the reasonable use of the library as it is intended. Responsibility for a youth using the library rests with the guardian, not with Library personnel. The staff cannot know if a youth is with a guardian, friends, or strangers.

Any youth who is unable to care for himself or herself, and who is left in the library without a guardian for any period of time and/or who is not picked up at closing time is considered abandoned by the Library as set forth in New Jersey Statutes Annotated 9:6-1: Abandonment of a child shall consist in any of the following acts by anyone having the custody or control of the child: (a) willfully forsaking a child; (b) failing to care for and keep the control and custody of a child so that the child shall be exposed to physical or moral risk without proper and sufficient protection…

The library reserves the right to contact the appropriate authorities to take custody of any youth that library staff members, in their sole discretion, feel is abandoned under the definition set forth by the statute.

“The staff cannot know if a youth is with a guardian, friends, or strangers.”