HILLSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY’S POLICY REGARDING
The Hillside Public Library believes all customers have the right to use library services and materials safely and freely, in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. With these rights come responsibility for actions and conduct that respects the rights of other library patrons.
- All persons are welcome in the library. Children under the age of ten must be under the direct supervision of a person over the age of thirteen at all times. This caregiver should monitor all activities and behavior of their children while they are in the building.
- Respect the rights of others to quietly study, read or work without interference. Any listening devices should not be audible to anyone but the user.
- Turn off or silence all cell phones to silent alarm when inside the Library building. If you wish to make or take a call, step outside the building. Library telephones are for staff use only.
- All furniture be used as intended, for reading, studying, computer use, etc., not for lounging. Patrons are not allowed to move any furniture. Sleeping is not permitted.
- Students must present their library card to enter the building after school, between 3:00 and 6:00pm. Study tables are reserved for students and restricted to 4 to a table in the after-school hours.
- For safety and health reasons, shoes must be worn by all, and patrons are requested to wear appropriate street clothing.
- Public restrooms are not to be used for shaving, bathing, laundry or gathering spots.
- Only assistive animals are permitted within the building.
- Bicycling, skateboarding and roller-skating on Library property is a safety hazard to others and is forbidden on library property.
- Patrons are not allowed to solicit, petition, canvass, sell or conduct business meeting anywhere on library property.
- The Library is not responsible for personal property left unattended. Personal items left by patrons who are not present on Library property are subject to disposal.
The Library further reserves the right to cause to be ejected from the library premises and to refuse further admission to individuals who violate the rights of the staff or library users, or who create disorder on library premises in any of the following situations:
- Any situation in which the actions of a person present an imminent danger to the life or safety of others on library premises.
- Any situation in which a person is observed in an attempt to steal library property or that of another library user, or to maliciously destroy library property or that of another library user.
- Any situation in which a person’s behavior is inappropriate to the use of the library building for the purposes for which it is legally constituted.
- Any situation in which a person willfully and purposefully disturbs the staff or other library users or whose behavior is in any way disruptive to the legitimate use of the library facilities by others.
- Inappropriate behavior includes, but is not limited to: loitering, gambling, voyeurism, smoking, public intoxication, sleeping, molestation, possession of a controlled substance, use of obscene language, solicitation.
In addition, no beverages or food are allowed in the library, with the following exception: Food and/or non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in meeting rooms during meetings which have been registered with the library staff. No alcoholic beverages are allowed anywhere in the library.
Violators
Persons who violate these rules will be asked to leave the library premises, or, when appropriate, will be subject to arrest.
Approved by the Hillside Public Library Board of Trustees February 17, 2005
Revised February 21, 2018
POLICY FOR USE OF THE ZISMAN MEETING ROOM
The Zisman Meeting Room at the Hillside Public Library is available for use on a first come, first serve basis to nonprofit groups for meetings of a cultural, educational or civic nature. Community organizations are invited to make use of the Meeting Room; however, the Library and all Library sponsored programs maintain priority use of the Meeting Room at all times. Use is restricted to non-profits only; businesses and individuals in private practice do not qualify for meeting room reservations.
REGULATIONS
- Requests for use of the Meeting Room must be approved by the Library Director or staff who will confirm approval in advance with applicant.
- The Meeting Room is to be used for the stated purpose only.
- A $100.00 refundable deposit is required to reserve the meeting room, and will be returned within 7-10 business days of the room use, dependent upon the condition of the space. Deposits must be paid in cash or money order made out to the Hillside Public Library. No fees are charged for use of the Meeting Room (except #4).
- Meetings may be scheduled during regular Library hours. At the discretion of the Library Director, groups needing to stay past closing may be charged a fee of $35/hour for services of the security guard, if available. Programs must be free of any admission charge or donation. Any exception to this
- Smoking is prohibited.
- Modest refreshments may be served. The organization must provide its own supplies
- Groups are responsible for clean-up and for leaving the room in good condition. If chairs and tables are used they should be put back in their original locations.
- The Library’s audio-visual equipment may be used if staff assistance is available. No other library supplies/equipment may be used unless authorized by the Library Director.
- If the Meeting Room is to be used by minors, application must be made by an adult who will be present and responsible for the conduct of the meeting and the use of the facility.
- The Board of Trustees reserves the right to revoke permission for use previously granted.
- The Library Director must be notified at least 72 hours in advance of any cancellation. If the Library Director is not notified within 72 hours notice, the deposit will not be refunded.
Adopted 4/11/07,Updated 5/20/09, 2nd revision 2/19/2020 Hillside Public Library Board of Trustee
The Hillside Library makes the Internet accessible in accordance with its mission of fulfilling the informational, educational and recreational needs of the community. The Internet is a worldwide computer network that provides access to a body of electronic information. Resources available on the Internet may enhance the Library’s information and data sources beyond traditional collections and electronic databases.
The Hillside Library does not monitor information accessed over the Internet and cannot guarantee the validity or accuracy of electronic information which may be inaccurate or outdated. Library customers are advised to exercise judgment and discrimination when evaluating the usefulness and reliability of materials. Because the Library has no control over the information posted on the Internet, it cannot be responsible for content, timeliness and accuracy.
The Library assumes no responsibility for any direct or indirect damages arising from the use of its connection to Internet services. Patrons use the Internet at their own risk.
Inappropriate use of computers and Internet access may result in cancellation of the individual’s use of this service. Examples of inappropriate use include, but are not limited to:
- Display of visual images containing graphic violence.
- Use of library computers to access material that may be defined as child pornography, harmful to minors, obscenity or offensive to other users.
- Use of any library workstation for illegal or criminal purpose.
- Use of any library workstation to gain access to the library’s networks or computer systems or to any other network or computer system.
- Obtaining passwords in a fraudulent manner.
- Making any attempt to damage, install or alter computer equipment or software.
- Violation of copyright or software licensing agreements.
- Engaging in any activity which is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, threatening, harassing, slanderous, contains abusive language and/or images.
- Interference with the privacy of other users.
- Misrepresenting oneself as another user.
The library reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time.
Internet Use by Children
The Children’s Room computers are equipped with filtering software. However because no filtering software is effective in all cases, the Hillside Public Library cannot guarantee that all objectionable materials will be filtered. Parents or guardians of minor children using the Internet; not library staff, are responsible for supervising their children’s use of the Internet.
Computer users under age 18 may use the adult Internet workstations (Unfiltered) only with signed permission from parent or guardian.
Time limits: Sessions will end 15 minutes before closing.
Sessions at Internet workstations are limited to one 60-minute sessions with additional 30-minute sessions permitted depending upon computer availability.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees, 1/26/00, revised, 5/23/02; revised 3/13/07
Children under the age of ten may not be left on library premises, without the supervision of an adult or the direct supervision of a person over the age of 13 at all times. Parents, not the staff, are responsible for their children and must supervise them while at the Library. Library Staff cannot assume responsibility for unattended minors and do not act as babysitters or caregivers.
For unattended children under age ten, library staff will attempt to contact a parent or guardian to retrieve the child.
Upon closing, an unattended child will be escorted to the police station by the person in charge. If the Police Department so directs, an officer may respond to the Library to assist in locating a parent or other responsible person to assume responsibility for the child. Staff members will not give children a ride home under any circumstances.
5/16/05, revised 4/11/07, 2nd revision 09/20/17
The complete Unattended Children’s Policy is available at the Circulation Desk.
