The Hunterdon County Library endeavors to provide a safe, quiet, and comfortable environment in which all persons, regardless of age, sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion, or economic status, are able to make use of library resources and services. In order to facilitate unhampered and equal access for all patrons to the collections and services of the library, the Hunterdon County Library Commission has adopted the following regulations governing the use of the Library.

Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building. These activities may include reading, studying, tutoring, quiet meetings, reading quietly to a child, making use of audiovisual resources, attending a program or viewing an exhibit. Patrons not engaged in any of these activities may be asked to leave the building. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.

The following behaviors are not permitted in the library:
1. Eating or drinking at computer stations or near other electronic equipment.
2. The use of e-cigarettes, tobacco products (smoking or chewing) or vapor pens.
3. Talking loudly, running or engaging in other disruptive or noisy activities.
4. Bringing animals into the library, except for certified service and therapy animals.
5. Misusing the restrooms (e.g. bathing or doing laundry).
6. Sitting on a table, placing feet on furniture, or sleeping.
7. Bare feet.
8. Following or staring at others with intent to annoy; filming or photographing
others without their permission.
9. Interfering with another person’s use of the library or with the library personnel’s performance of their duties.
10. Leaving a child under the age of 9 unattended in the library without the supervision of an adult.
11. Carrying a weapon into the library unless authorized by law.
12. Damaging or stealing library property.
13. Soliciting contributions or signatures.
14. Refusing to leave the library at closing time or in an emergency.

In addition, behaviors in the library are also governed by local ordinances and state and/or federal law.
Anyone engaged in any of the above activities will, after warning by library personnel and failure to heed such warning, be asked to leave the premises. Police assistance may be utilized if an individual refuses to leave the library when asked.

Persistent violations of the Library’s rules may result in suspension of Library privileges, including the right to use the facility and/or borrow materials.

Such suspension and the term of the suspension will be determined by the Hunterdon County Library Commission upon recommendation of the Library Director. The individual whose use of the library has been suspended may appeal to the Library Commission to reverse the decision or to reinstate his or her privileges.

All provisions of this policy shall be enforced in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner.