Policies

BORROWERS

Residents of the Borough of Flemington and owners of property in the Borough may apply for a library card; this library is their primary library and will provide inter-library loan service.  Primary borrowers enjoy reciprocal borrowing privileges with the Hunterdon County Library.  Cards are issued to students and teachers of the Flemington-Raritan Schools and Hunterdon Central High School; inter-library loans and reciprocal borrowing privileges are not extended to these patrons.   Non-resident membership  may be purchased on an annual basis.

CIRCULATION

The regular loan period is four weeks for most books and audio books.  New materials circulate for two weeks.  DVD circulation is limited to a period of one week.  The current issue of a periodical does not circulate, but back issues may be borrowed for two weeks.  The loan period for music cds is also two weeks.  Renewals on all materials are granted in the absence of requests by others for these materials and may be done by telephone.  Items may be renewed twice.  Bulk and special loans may be arranged to accommodate special needs.  All materials may be returned to any branch of the Hunterdon County Library.

Regular books, audio books:  four weeks

New materials: two weeks

Magazines: two weeks

Music cds: two weeks

DVDs: one week

FINES

Fines for overdue materials will be charged at the rate of ten cents per item per day that the library is open.  Fines for overdue DVDs will be charged at the rate of one dollar per day.  The maximum fine is the actual replacement cost of the item.  Circulation privileges may be restricted if fines accumulate over $10.

PHILOSOPHY OF ACCESS

This library has adopted the American Library Association’s document “The Library Bill of Rights” as expressing its philosophy of service.   Access to materials is open to all.  We believe it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to guide their children’s selection of appropriate materials.

INTERNET ACCESS

Free Internet access is available to all persons.  We recognize a parent’s right and responsibility to restrict their own child’s access to library resources.

CONDUCT IN THE LIBRARY

The Flemington Free Public 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 Flemington Free Public Library 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 activities are not permitted in the library:

  1. Eating or drinking at computer stations or near other electronic equipment.
  1. Smoking.
  1. Talking loudly, running or engaging in other disruptive or noisy activities.
  1. Bringing animals into the library, except those needed to assist a person with a disability.
  1. Misusing the restrooms (i.e. bathing or doing laundry).
  1. Sitting on a table or placing feet on furniture.
  1. Following or staring at others with intent to annoy.
  1. Interfering with another person’s use of the library or with the library personnel’s performance of their duties, or behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons.
  1. Leaving a child under the age of 10 unattended in the library without the supervision of an adult.
  1. Carrying a weapon into the library unless authorized by law.
  1. Damaging or stealing library property.
  1. Playing audio equipment so others can hear it.
  1. Soliciting contributions or signatures.
  1. Refusing to leave the library at closing time or in an emergency.

In addition, activities in the library are also governed by local ordinances and state and/or federal law.

Anyone engaged in any of the above activities may, 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.  Violations of the library’s rules may result in suspension of library privileges, including the right to use the facility and/or borrow materials.  The individual whose use of the library has been suspended or restricted may appeal to the board of trustees to reverse the decision, modify the terms, or to reinstate his or her privileges.  All provisions of this policy shall be enforced in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner.

UNATTENDED CHILD POLICY

Introduction

The Flemington Free Library encourages children of all ages to visit the library and hopes they will find it a warm, inviting place to be. Programs and resources are offered to make the library enticing to children, to help children enjoy their visits, and to develop a love of books, reading, and libraries.

The well-being and safety of young children left alone is a serious concern. Children on their own are vulnerable and may become frightened or anxious. If unattended for an extended period of time when no library program is being offered, they can become bored, restless, and disruptive. It is not the library’s intention to seek out unattended children but rather to have a reasoned response prepared if problems present themselves. For that reason, the following policy has been established.

Policy

All patrons, regardless of age, sex, racial, or ethnic origin, religion, or economic status are entitled to courteous and efficient service, access to materials, and pleasant surroundings free from harassment, discomfort, and stress.

Library staff, however, cannot assume responsibility for the care or supervision of children using the library’s facilities. Parents or caregivers are responsible for the care and behavior of their children in the library. Understanding that children mature at different rates, the following guidelines have been established to ensure that children are safe and cared for while in the library:

Children under 10 – These children are welcome to use the library independently as long as a parent or responsible caregiver remains in the library at all times. Parents are responsible for their behavior and will be contacted if problems arise.

Children 10 and over – These children are old enough to use the library responsibly. If problems arise, they may be asked to leave or parents may be contacted

If problems arise while children are using the library or if they are left alone, the library staff will attempt to reach the parents. If the parents cannot be contacted and the situation warrants, the police will be called.

Procedures

Leaving children alone in the library can sometimes create problems for the child and the staff. The library is concerned about the safety of children when they are in the library. We cannot monitor every child who comes into the library; rather, we want to avert problems before they arise and to have a reasoned response prepared if they do.

Not every contingency, however, can be covered in a procedures document. For example, “extended period of time” has not been defined. For one young person thirty minutes might be too long, for another several hours might be appropriate. The child’s maturity, ability to remain occupied, and personal sense of comfort will influence how long is too long; the resultant behavior will be an indicator. Very young children, on the other hand, must have a responsible person with them at all times. In this case staff will intervene before a problem arises in order to avert potential crisis.

The policy is our tool to tell parents that they are responsible, that they must monitor their children, and that they must be aware of what is appropriate for their child; it serves as a method of notifying parents of their responsibility and as a guide for staff. Staff, however, will need to use common sense and sound judgment in following these procedures, dealing with unforeseen circumstances, and ensuring the safety of our young patrons.

Unattended Children

1. An unattended child who is frightened or crying should be reassured by the staff.

2. The staff person should try to identify and contact the parent or attending adult.

3. A staff member should stay with the child until the parent/ caregiver is located.

During Library Hours

1. If the parent/caregiver is in the building, a staff member should try to locate him/her by announcing the parent’s or child’s name (or if unknown, the child’s physical description). Upon locating the parent or attending adult, reunite the child with the adult and explain the library policy on unattended children.

2. If the child is alone in the building, with the child’s help, obtain the parent’s name and telephone number (or use other sources such as the telephone book or library database). Call the parent and inform him/her of the library’s policy and request that the parent pick up the child. If the parent cannot be reached by phone or if the parent does not respond within a reasonable period of time, staff will call the police and ask that they assume responsibility for the child.

3. During programs for children under 10, a parent/caregiver must remain in the building and meet the child when the program is over.

4. Children exhibiting inappropriate behavior will be informed of the Rules of the Library. If inappropriate behavior continues, staff can either ask the child to leave or contact the parent/caregiver to request that the child leave. If the parent cannot be reached by phone or if the parent does not respond within a reasonable period of time, staff will call the police and ask that they assume responsibility for the child.

5. All unattended children should know or have emergency contact information.

After Library Hours

1. During closing announcements, if staff notices a vulnerable child, they should ask that child if he/she will be picked by closing. If the child seems unsure, call the parent/caregiver to ascertain that the child will be picked up.

2. If the child is alone at the library at closing time and appears to be vulnerable, the library staff will immediately attempt to call the parents. If staff cannot contact a parent within 15 minutes, the person in charge will call the police.

3. Two staff members remain with the child inside at the entrance until the parent/caregiver or police arrives.

4. When the parent arrives, the library’s policy will be explained and given to the parent/caregiver in written form. On-going problems will be referred to the police or other appropriate agencies.

5. Under no circumstances will library staff transport or take the child away from the library building.

6. If the parent/caregiver has been contacted and is en route, two staff members will remain with the child. If the parent/caregiver does not arrive within 30 minutes, staff may notify the police. Both staff members will stay until they arrive.

7. Staff members are to make a written report of the incident.

Grievance Policy

Parents/caregivers who have grievances with the library must inform the Library Director.

CHILDREN’S ROOM POLICY

The children’s area of the library is reserved for children, their parents or responsible adult caregivers, tutors and their students (including adult students) and teachers and college students researching children’s literature. Out of concern for the safety of young patrons, adults who are unaccompanied by a child in the children’s area of the library may be questioned by staff, and may be asked to move to another area of the library.