Rules of Conduct

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RULES OF CONDUCT POLICY

The Hillsdale Free Public Library (the “Library”) welcomes and supports the Hillsdale community by providing information, education, and cultural resources in a safe and pleasant environment, conducive to reading and learning. The Library building and grounds, resources and equipment may not be used to participate in any illegal or prohibited activity. Patrons shall not violate any federal, State, or local statute or ordinance.

The Library specifically prohibits any person(s) from interfering with another person’s enjoyment or use of the Library or any of its materials, facilities and services, and from interfering with any Library staff member’s ability to perform their job duties.

To maintain personal safety, it is unacceptable to:

  1. Leave a child unattended at the Library. Please refer to the Library’s Unattended Child Policy.
  2. Request Library staff to protect or monitor children, adults needing care or personal belongings. The Library may call law enforcement agencies, as appropriate, if the Library notices there is a child, adult needing care, or personal belonging is left unattended. (The Library shall not be responsible for any personal items which are lost, stolen, or damaged on Library premises. Unattended personal items may be removed from Library premises.)
  3. Film, photograph or interview patrons within the library, unless approved by the Library Director, and participants.
  4. Vape, smoke, or use tobacco or cannabis products, or strike matches or light lighters inside or within fifty (50) feet of the Library building.
  5. Possess, sell, distribute, consume, use, or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.
  6. Bring animals into the Library, except service animals to assist patrons with disabilities: emotional support animals are not service animals and are not permitted in the Library.
  7. Neglect to wear shoes, shirt, pants, or to remain fully clothed.
  8. Run, skate, rollerblade, skateboard or ride bicycles on the patio or walkways around the Library building.
  9. Sleep anywhere inside or outside of the Library building.

To preserve a peaceful and pleasant environment, it is unacceptable to:

  1. Harass and/or act abusively, in any manner, towards other Library patrons or personnel, including but not limited to the following: through spoken or written words, gestures, or actions like extended staring, unwelcome following, or unwelcome touching, or using abusive, threatening, obscene or racially or ethnically offensive language, or hate speech, or engaging in other discriminatory or disruptive conduct.
  2. Panhandle, solicit, canvas, or sell unapproved or inappropriate materials anywhere within the Library and/or outside on Library premises, including but not limited to, donations, contributions, signatures, and/or materials that are commercial or political in nature, lewd, vulgar, pornographic, obscene, racist, sexist, or which otherwise violate New Jersey or federal law and are not considered protected free speech under New Jersey and/or federal law.
  3. Carry a weapon into the Library, unless authorized by law.
  4. Use computers and/or internet to display sexually explicit and/or lewd graphics including but not limited to materials which are obscene, pornographic and/or inappropriate or harmful to minors. Please refer to the Library’s Internet Policy.
  5. Engage in disruptive conduct including loud talking, rude language, making noise, running, pushing, fighting, or inappropriate, lewd and/or immoral conduct. This also includes the use of loud, offensively coarse and/or abusive language.
  6. Make others feel unsafe or uncomfortable. The Library will not tolerate any behavior or gestures that a reasonable person would find to be intimidating, profane, obscene, abusive, disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to Library patrons or personnel including, but not limited to, stalking, prolonged staring or leering, following another with the intent to annoy or disturb, initiating unwanted attention or conversation, and intentionally behaving in a manner that could reasonably be expected to annoy or disturb other Library users and/or personnel.
  7. Interfere with another person’s use of the Library facilities, materials or services or with the Library personnel’s performance of their duties.
  8. Interrupt or arrive late to programs and activities that require a prompt start time.

To protect Library facility and holdings, it is unacceptable to:

  1. Steal, damage, deface, destroy or vandalize Library materials, premises or equipment.
  2. Misuse the restrooms, e.g., as a laundry or bathing facility.
  3. Use fire exits, except in an emergency.
  4. Open / close windows.
  5. Move or misuse furniture, e.g., sitting on tables or putting feet on chairs.
  6. Enter non-public areas (such as areas indicated as “Employees Only”) without permission.
  7. Eat food in the Library. Drinking beverages in lidded containers is permitted, except at the public computers.
  8. Place bicycles anywhere on the Library property other than the bicycle rack.
  9. Vandalize cars and/or other real or personal property/items in the Library parking lot or anywhere else on Library property, including the building and/or grounds.

Library patrons violating any of these rules are subject to immediate loss of Library privileges and/or legal proceedings, which may include police intervention and arrest. Longer term loss (suspension or revocation) of Library privileges shall be determined by the Library Director through a written notice, to be delivered in person within the Library and/or sent by certified mail to the patron’s last known address.

Patrons who wish to appeal their loss of privileges may submit a written letter of appeal to the Library Board of Trustees for their review and consideration within ten (10) days of the Library Director’s notice. The decision of the Library Board shall be final and binding on the individual and the Library.

Revised October 20, 2025