Behavior Rules Governing the Use of Oradell Public Library
The Oradell Public Library’s (hereinafter “Library”) behavior rules have a threefold purpose:
- to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons,
- to protect the rights and safety of Library staff members, and
- to preserve and protect the Library’s materials, facilities and property.
Definitions and Scope
These behavior rules shall apply to the building, interior and exterior, and all grounds controlled and operated by the Oradell Public Library Board of Trustees (hereafter “premises”) and to all persons entering in or on the premises.
Rules of Behavior
Persons engaged in any of the following behaviors may, by authority of the Oradell Public Library Board of Trustees, be ejected from the premises and excluded from all Library premises and services for the period of time listed below under “Penalties.”
- Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state or local criminal statute or ordinance.
- Directing a specific threat of physical harm against an individual, group of individuals or property.
- Engaging in sexual conduct, as defined by NJSA 2C:14-1, including, but not limited to, the physical manipulation or touching of a person’s intimate parts through a person’s clothing.
- Being under the influence of any controlled substance or alcoholic beverage
- Possessing, selling, distributing or consuming any controlled substance as defined by NJSA 24:21-2.
- Engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the Library, or disturbs Library staff or patrons, including, but not limited to, conduct that involves the use of abusive language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise, or conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking, viewing, and/or sharing physical or digital rude or pornographic images, and hate speech.
- The Oradell Public Library has a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech. Immediate expulsion from the library will result for anyone found engaging in hate speech in the Junior Room. Please see our Hate Speech Policy for additional information.
- Using Library materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures or buildings in a destructive, abusive or potentially damaging manner or in a manner inconsistent with its customary use or likely to cause personal injury to the actors or others
- Disobeying the reasonable direction of a Library staff member or security officer.
- Placing personal belongings or other objects in, on or against buildings, furniture, equipment, fixtures anywhere in or on the premises in such a manner that it interferes with Library staff or patron use of the Library facility, or interferes with free passage.
- Bringing bicycles, skateboards, scooters or other similar devices inside Library buildings, including, but not limited to, vestibules or covered doorways except where a bicycle rack is provided.
- Operating bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, scooters or other similar devices in or on Library premises.
- Smoking or other use of tobacco anywhere within the building.
- Consuming food anywhere within the building unless it is part of an approved program.
- Possessing alcoholic beverages in open or closed containers or non-alcoholic beverages in other than closed secure container as indicated by posted signs.
- Bringing animals (except for service animals and those which are part of a Library-approved program) inside Library building or leaving an animal tethered and unattended on Library premises.
- Violating the Library’s Internet Policy, a copy of which is posted online and at the reservation station.
- Sleeping in or on Library premises.
- Improperly using Library restrooms, including, but not limited to, bathing, shaving, washing hair or changing clothes.
- Using personal electronic equipment at a volume that disturbs others, including, but not limited to, headphones, iPods and televisions. Cell phone use is only permitted in the lobby area of the library.
- Entering library buildings with bare feet or a bare chest.
- Disturbing others because of offensive body odor.
- Conducting unapproved meetings.
- Photographing or videorecording other patrons or Library staff without consent.
Penalties
- If these behaviors occur, the staff will warn the patron to stop the behavior.
- If the patron receives a third (3rd) warning, the patron will not be allowed to come to the library for one (1) week.
- If disruptive conduct persists or escalates before three (3) warnings, the police should be called if any menace or danger is sensed.
- If the patron continues to exhibit a pattern of disruptive conduct (more than one case of suspension from visiting the library), then the patron may be barred from visiting the library indefinitely at the discretion of the Director.
Appeals
Any patron whose library privileges have been denied may request, in writing, a review of the decision by the Library Director:
John J. Trause
Oradell Public Library
375 Kinderkamack Road
Oradell, NJ 07649
If the appeal is denied by the Library Director, the patron may appeal the decision, in writing, to the:
Oradell Public Library Board of Trustees
Oradell Public Library
375 Kinderkamack Road
Oradell, NJ 07649
The decision by the Board of Trustees shall be final.
Approved by the Library Board at the meeting of Thursday, June 14, 2018
Addition of photographing or videorecording policyapproved by the Library Board at the meeting of Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Addition of further prohibited behavior and reference to the Hate Speech policyapproved by the Library Board at the meeting of Wednesday, July 10, 2024