East Orange Public Library

The East Orange Public Library encourages people of all ages to visit the library. Those persons using the library and its resources have the right to expect a safe, comfortable, and sanitary environment for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing, and attending library- or community-sponsored programs and meetings. To this end, the library is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of library patrons, volunteers, and staff, and for preserving and protecting the library’s materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.

While in the building, library patrons will be engaged in activities associated with library service. People entering the library are expected to respect the rights of other patrons to use the library. No person shall harass or annoy others by being noisy or boisterous, by playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, or by behaving in a manner that reasonably can be expected to disturb other persons.

People demonstrating disruptive behavior will be required to leave the library after warning from library staff. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Noisy, boisterous actions
• Inappropriate behavior, including smoking, running, or loud talking
• Misuse of library property
• Actions that deliberately annoy others or prevent the legitimate use of the library and its resources

Abusive and sexually charged language and behavior toward staff will not be tolerated.

Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff and/or security staff will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with the library’s established rules, regulations, and policies could result in removal from the premises and expulsion from the library for a period of one (1) day to one (1) year, or in arrest or prosecution. Violations could also result in the restriction and/or termination of library privileges, including the use of library computers and other equipment. Expulsion for more than one (1) week may be appealed in writing to the director.

The Children’s Department is reserved for use by children through grade 7, their parents, guardians, caregivers, or assigned chaperones and adults interested in children’s literature. The Teen Corner is reserved for young adults in grades 8 through 12.

Young children may not be safe when left unattended in the library. Please see our Unattended Children Policy for more information.
Guidelines and Regulations

1. Respect your fellow library users.
2. Respect the library’s building and materials. 3. Respect library staff.

(View more specific “Guidelines and Regulations.”)
Failure to comply with one or more of the library’s established regulations may result in

exclusion from library premises and/or suspension of library privileges.

Staff will ask patrons failing to comply with these rules to modify their behavior. The police will be called to deal with any serious disorderly conduct or criminal behavior. Individuals violating standards of acceptable behavior risk immediate removal from the library and possible loss of all library privileges.

Exceptions to these regulations may be made only for library-sponsored activities.

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Approved by the Board of Trustees on 12/31/2001
Revision approved by the Board of Trustees on 5/11/2006 Revision approved by the Board of Trustees on 12/13/2012

Adopted by Library Administration on 6/11/2020 and the Board of Trustees approved pending review.