The Hunterdon County Library endeavors to maintain a work and public service environment free from discrimination, violence, harassment, and offensive behavior.

Per New Jersey Statutes, the Library Commission has the authority to establish rules and regulations to protect the rights and safety of library patrons, volunteers, and staff and to preserve and protect library materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.

To that end, we expect that all library users and staff interact in a way that is conducive to learning and community engagement. So that everyone may have a safe and enjoyable experience, the following are guidelines for the use of Hunterdon County Library:

• It is essential that library personnel be able to perform their duties and that members of the community can use the library without interference. All library users are expected to regard the reasonable direction of library staff.
• All have a reasonable expectation to feel safe and welcome. The library will not tolerate any behavior or gestures that a reasonable person would find to be intimidating, profane, obscene, abusive, disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to library patrons or personnel including, but not limited to, stalking, prolonged staring or leering, following another with the intent to annoy or disturb, initiating unwanted attention or conversation, and intentionally behaving in a manner that could reasonably be expected to annoy or disturb other library users and/or personnel.
• The library is for everyone. Be respectful by not talking loudly, running, or engaging in other disruptive or distracting activities. Harmful, obscene, and abusive language (verbal or bodily) will not be tolerated.
• The library’s furniture and equipment are for everyone’s use and benefit. Please do not eat or drink near electronic/computer equipment, sit on tables, place feet on furniture, sleep, or monopolize library space, equipment, or outlets to the exclusion of others.
• Restrooms are only to be used as intended; these spaces may not be used for laundering or bathing.
• Using the library’s computer network in an unauthorized manner or displaying offensive or profane materials from the computer network to other patrons is not allowed. (See Internet & Wifi Policy https://hclibrary.us/policies/internetandwifi)
• Our libraries serve all ages. Those who are actively seeking children’s materials, including parents and guardians, teachers, caregivers, and young people, should be the only users of the Children’s and Teen Department spaces. Staff will not tolerate loitering or misuse of library spaces.
• Children who are under the age of 9 must be always under the supervision of a responsible caregiver.
• So that we might maintain an environment where all users feel comfortable, we cannot allow peddling, soliciting, selling or distributing merchandise, services or printed materials, or canvassing or gambling without permission from the library.
• Library users should ensure that their activities do not block aisles, shelves, or entrances/exits for the safety and comfort of everyone.
• The health and safety of our community is important. Refrain from the use of e-cigarettes, tobacco products (smoking or chewing), or vape devices.
• Only certified service and therapy animals are allowed inside the library.
• The library is a public space. All users are responsible for their own belongings. Personal items left unattended may be subject to disposal.
• For everyone’s safety, library users are required to leave the library at closing time and in emergency situations that require evacuation.
• Hunterdon County Library is a community space. Respect your neighbors and yourself by not damaging, vandalizing, or stealing library property, carrying a weapon unless authorized by law, entering the spaces without shoes or shirts, or violating any local, state and federal statutes that regulate conduct in public places. Such regulations prohibit intoxication, assault, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, harassment, drug paraphernalia, and public indecency.

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 enforcement may be necessary if an individual refuses to leave the library as requested.

Persistent violations of the library’s usage guidelines may result in suspension of library privileges, including the right to use the facility, public internet computers, library WiFi and/or borrow materials. Such suspension and the term of the suspension will be based 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 their privileges.

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

1/08 Revised 9/09; 1/15;4/16;10/17; 3/24