Policies & Procedures

Library Rules of Conduct

The Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library's behavior rules have a threefold purpose: to protect the rights and safety of library patrons, to protect the rights and safety of staff members, and to preserve and protect the library's materials, facilities and property.

Definitions and Scope

These behavior rules shall apply to all buildings, interior and exterior, and all grounds controlled and operated by the Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library (such buildings and grounds are hereafter referred to as the "premises") and to all persons entering in or on the premises.

Listed below are the library's rules of conduct. Persons who violate these rules may be ejected from the premises and excluded from all library premises for the period of time listed below.

Library users may not engage in:

1. Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state or local criminal statue or ordinance.

2. Engaging in sexual conduct, as defined under NYS Penal Law 235.00, including, but not limited to, the physical manipulation or touching of a person's sex organs through a person's clothing in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification.

3. Being under the influence of any controlled substance or intoxicating liquor. Controlled substance is defined in NYS Public Health Law 3306.

4. Possessing, selling, distributing or consuming any alcoholic beverage, except as allowed at a library-approved event.

5. 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 or threatening language or gestures, conduct that creates unreasonable noise, or conduct that consists of loud or boisterous physical behavior or talking.

6. Using library materials, equipment, furniture, fixtures or buildings in a manner inconsistent with the customary use thereof; or in a destructive, abusive or potentially damaging manner; or in a manner likely to cause personal injury to the actor or others.

7. Disobeying the reasonable direction of a library staff member or library security officer.

8. Soliciting, petitioning, distributing written materials or canvassing for political, charitable or religious purposes inside a library building, including the doorway or vestibule of any such library building or in a manner on the library premises that unreasonably interferes with or impedes access to the library.

9. Interfering with the free passage of library staff or patrons in or on the library premises, including, but not limited to, placing objects such as bicycles, skateboards, backpacks or other items in a manner that interferes with free passage.

10. Placing personal belongings on or against buildings, furniture, equipment or fixtures in a manner that interferes with library staff or patron use of the library facility.

11. Bringing bicycles or other similar devices inside library buildings, including, but not limited to, vestibules or covered doorways if no bicycle rack is provided within that area.

12. Operating roller skates, skateboards or other similar devices in or on library premises.

13. Parking vehicles on library premises for purposes other than library use. Vehicles parked in violation of this rule may be towed at the owner's expense.

14. Smoking or other use of tobacco.

15. Eating or drinking beverages outside of designated areas or drinking near electronic equipment.

16. Bringing animals inside library buildings (with the exception of service animals), except as allowed at a library-approved event.

17. Violating the library's rules for Acceptable Use of the Internet and Library Public Computers.

18. Sleeping in or on library premises.

19. Improperly using library restrooms, including, but not limited to, bathing, shaving, washing hair and changing clothes.

20. Using personal electronic equipment at a volume that disturbs others, including, but not limited to, pagers, stereos, televisions and cellular telephones.

21. Leaving one or more children under the age of 10, who reasonably appear to be unsupervised or unattended, anywhere in or on library premises.

22. Entering library buildings with bare feet or a bare chest.

23. Disturbing others because of offensive body odor or poor hygiene.

Any person who violates rules 1-4 while in or on library premises will be immediately ejected and excluded from all Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library premises without first being given a warning. Any person so excluded shall lose all library privileges for a period of up to three years, and the incident will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Any person who violates rules 5-17 while in or on library premises will be given up to one warning at the discretion of library staff; then the person will be asked to leave the premises for the day. Subsequent offenses by that person will result in that person's immediate ejection and exclusion from all Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library premises. Any person so excluded shall lose all library privileges for a period of up to one year.

Any person who violates rules 18-21 while in or on library premises will be given up to two warnings at the discretion of library staff; then the person will be asked to leave the premises for the day. Subsequent offenses by that person will result in that person's immediate ejection and exclusion from all Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library premises. Any person so excluded shall lose all library privileges for a period of up to six months.

Any person who violates rules 22 and 23 while in or on library premises will be excluded from the premises until the problem is corrected.

May 1995, Board of Trustees
Amended April 2005, Board of Trustees
Adopted December 13, 2006, Board of Trustees

Internet Policy and Use Procedure

POLICY

In keeping with its mission and with advances in information technology, the Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library (HKDPL) endeavors to provide access to the Internet as an extension of traditional reference and informational services, to meet the cultural, informational, educational and recreational needs of Haverstraw's diverse multicultural community.

Access to the Internet is compatible with the HKDPL's endorsement of the Library Bill of Rights; the Freedom to Read Statement; the Freedom to View; Access to Electronic Information Services and Networks; and with the policies, goals, and objectives of this public library.

The internet is a fundamental resource that offers access to a wealth of information, but at present it is an unregulated electronic global medium that changes daily. The information is often not verifiable as accurate and users should be aware that errors and intentional misinformation sometimes occur. The Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet, and cannot be held responsible for its content, quality, accuracy or currency.

The Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of its electronic services, or from its connections to other Internet services. Library users access the Internet at their own risk. Responsibility for minors' access and use of library materials, including the Internet, rests with the parents or legal guardians, not the Library.

It is not acceptable to use the HKDPL Internet connection for purposes contrary to state or federal laws; nor to interfere with or disrupt other users, services or equipment; nor for unauthorized sales and marketing of products or services. As with all formats of information, users must respect copyright laws and licensing agreements. Library users abusing this shared service or the Library policy will be prohibited from further access. Library users whose actions violate local, state, or federal law may be subject to criminal prosecution.

PROCEDURES

These procedures and guidelines are set to insure fair and reasonable use of Internet resources for the maximum number of potential users. Due to the emerging nature of these services, policies are subject to change at the discretion of the Library.

REQUIREMENTS

All users are required to sign in each time, to use the Internet workstation. A library user under 18 who lives in our library district must present their HKDPL library card or have a parent/caregiver present at the time of signup or be on the list that a letter of permission has been sent. A patron under 18 who does not live in our library district must be signed in by a parent/caregiver.
Users must have basic computer skills, including the ability to use a mouse and be able to use Windows and an Internet Browser.
All users must read the Internet Use Agreement prior to access. Parents or guardians of the library district users under 18 years of age will be notified by mail of the policy and procedures. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to notify the Library if the parent/guardian does not want the child to have access.
A parent or guardian must accompany children 7 years of age and under.

RESERVATION AND ALLOWANCES

Workstations are available weekdays at both sites from library opening until ½ hour before closing.
HKDPL cardholders, residents of the library district will be given preference for walk-in use.
Use of the Internet is limited to one hour, including time required for connection and printing, if there are people waiting. A user may have access up to two hours per day.
Reservations by telephone or in person can be made for one hour per week. Reservations will be held for 15 minutes according to the Library's clock. Latecomers forfeit the unused portion of their time. Users can walk in and sign up any time the workstation is not in use and the time slot not reserved.
The Library cannot be responsible for connection difficulties. If the connection is not made, every effort will be made to reschedule an appointment.
A maximum of 2 people are allowed at a workstation at one time, bystanders will be asked to move at the discretion of the Library staff.

USE OF THE INTERNET WORKSTATION

Internet users will not have the ability to download software to Library equipment; install, delete or modify Library hardware or software; set-up shortcuts; or alter bookmarks and settings.
The first two printed pages are free, each additional page is $0.15 to be paid at the circulation desk (effective July 1, 2005.)
The violation of any one of these rules or failure to cooperate with library staff may subject the individual(s) involved to loss of Internet privileges.
The HKDPL does not censor user access to materials or protect you from information you might find offensive, but does seek to provide an atmosphere conducive to the best use of its resources.

Approved by the Board of Trustees July 28, 1998
Amended: 10/12/99
Amended: 6/13/00
Amended: 4/13/05

Telecommunications Policy

So that the Library may remain a place of enjoyment for all our patrons, telecommunication devices (example: cell phones, pagers) must be turned off or switched down to their lowest audible level in designated "quiet areas." Conversation and cell phone use is limited to lobby areas (where available).

Use of Library for Private Business

The Board of Trustees of the Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library will not provide any public space for the conduct of private business by individuals in the Library. This may include, but is not limited to, privately-paid tutoring, presentations to prospective clients for paid services and/or solicitation of goods and services.

Tutoring individuals in library-sponsored programs in permissable.

Students residing within the Library's district may use the tutor room at no charge. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis for one hour.

Approved and Adopted by the Board of Trustees November 11, 1997
Amended: 11/8/2006
Amended: 10/13/2009
Amended: 05/11/2010

For more information on using our tutor, board, community, or quiet study rooms for private business use, please contact us at 786-3800, ext 14.

Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records

1. It is the policy of the Haverstraw King's Daughters Public to specifically recognize that its circulation records and other records containing names or other personal identifying details of library users are confidential in nature.

2. All librarians and library employees are advised such records shall not be made available or disclosed to any persons or entity, including any agency of state, federal, or local government except pursuant to such process, order or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigative power, or as otherwise required by statute.

3. The issuance or enforcement of any such process, order, or subpoena may, at the discretion of Library Administrator and Board, be resisted until such time as a proper showing of good cause has been made in a court of competent jurisdiction.

4. Notwithstanding anything above to the contrary, such records may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of the library (as shall be determined by the Library Administrator or Board of Trustees) and upon the consent or request of the library user identified by such records.

June 1995, Board of Trustees

Fire Alarm Procedure

When our fire alarm goes off, even if it is a false alarm, everyone must immediately and quickly vacate the building. This is not the Library's policy, this is mandated by the Town of Haverstraw Fire Marshal. Please remember that the elevator is never to be used during an alarm. In addition, do not park in the fire lane. Town Police will ticket your car. We appreciate your complete cooperation in these matters.