Hawley Public Library
Patron Policy

To allow all patrons of Hawley Public Library to use its facilities to the fullest extent during regularly scheduled hours, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the following rules and regulations:

Patrons Shall:

• Engage in activities associated with the use of a public library.

Patrons not reading, studying, or using library materials may be required to leave the building.

• Respect the rights of other patrons.
• Check out any materials on a valid library card or through other standard library procedures such as interlibrary loan.

Patrons removing materials from the library without following check-out procedures will be subject to legal action, including criminal prosecution.

• Be responsible for any fines, fees, or other charges due in accordance with the library’s standard schedules.

Failure to pay these charges will result in the suspension of borrowing privileges.

Patrons Shall Not:

• Consume food or beverages, smoke or use tobacco or tobacco products.
• Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Engage in any illegal activity while in the library building or on library property.
• Interfere with the use of the library by other patrons or interfere with library statff’s performance of their duties.

Patrons shall not harrass or annoy others through boisterous boisterous activities, by staring at another person with the intent to annoy that person, by following another person about the building with the intent to annoy that person, by playing audio equipment so that others can hear it, by singing or talking loudly to others or in monologues, or by behaving in a manner which can be reasonabley expected to disturb others.
Patrons using the computers shall not engage in any activity which is disruptive to other library users.

• Deface or mar library materials and/or property.
• Enter the building without a shirt or shoes.

Patrons must wear a covering of their upper bodies and shoes or other footwear.
Patrons whose bodily hygiene is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to other
patrons may be required to leave the building.

• Bring pets or animals into the library (other than guide dogs for the visually impaired).

 
Any patron not avbiding by abiding by these or other rules and regulations of the library may be required to leave the library premises. Library staff may contact the Hawley Burough Police or State Police if deemed advisable.
Any patron who violates thes rules and regulations may be denied the privilege of access to the library by the Library’s Board of Trustees on the recommendation of the Library Director. A patron whose privileges have been denied may have the decision reviewed by the Board of Trustees.

Adopted by the Hawley Library Board of Directors, November 13, 1997.