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Library Policies

Patron Behavior Policy

Adopted June 2002 by the Board of Trustees of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library

Welcome to the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library. We ask your cooperation in maintaining an environment conducive to reading, studying and information gathering, as well as providing for the enjoyable use of the library for every patron. These rules are posted to protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of all patrons. Patron, however, are responsible for their behavior personal items and personal effects.

While on library property, the following behaviors and or actions are unacceptable:

  • Bringing weapons onto library property.
  • Damaging, misusing, monopolizing or vandalizing library facilities, equipment or materials.
  • Removing library materials without properly checking them out.
  • Abandoning, leaving or neglecting children or otherwise violating the Safe Child Policy.
  • Harassing other library users or library staff including, but not limited to, excessive conversation, unwelcome advances or verbal, physical or sexual abuse.
  • Possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal controlled substances.
  • Using tobacco products, having food or drink in restricted areas, or indulging in habitual sleeping.
  • Using radios, televisions or CD/Tape players audible to others.
  • Using cell phones in the main library. (Cell phones may be used in the lobby or upper mezzanine and hallway.)
  • Selling, soliciting or panhandling (approaching patrons or staff members with items for sale or pleas for donations.)
  • Distributing or posting printed materials or literature without prior director approval.
  • Bringing bicycles into the library or using skateboards in the library.
  • Blocking any entrance, aisle or exit.
  • Bringing in animals except service dogs without prior director approval.
  • Bringing in bulky items, including but not limited to sleeping bags, suitcases or large duffle bags.
  • Using restrooms improperly, including but not limited to bathing or shaving.
  • Being in the library before or after business hours without the written permission of the library director or his/her designee.
  • Being a nuisance to others with offensive bodily hygiene.
  • Entering office/workroom areas unless invited by a staff member or with prior written permission of the director.
  • Indulging in a disturbance of the peace by loud or aggressive behavior, running, profanity, indecent or obscene language, or abusive language.
  • Engaging in any indecent or obscene conduct or making any indecent exposure of one's person.
  • Engaging in acts which are subject to prosecution under criminal codes of law.

If a library user chooses not to follow the library's Patron Behavior Policy, the user will be asked to correct the unacceptable behavior. If the behavior continues, the user will be asked to leave the library. Law enforcement will be called if the user refuses to leave.

Safe Child Policy

Adopted May 2001 by the Board of Trustees of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library

Children age eight and under must be directly supervised by a parent, caregiver or sibling, twelve years old or older, during their entire stay in the library, except during children's programs.

Philosophy Behind Our Safe Child Policy

We are glad your children are here! We want the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library to be a welcoming, educational and safe place for your child.

Our library staff is here to serve you and has many duties to perform in order to help all of our patrons in the best way possible. As a result they cannot monitor the whereabouts or behavior of our smallest patrons - your children. Staff cannot assume the responsibility of your child's care when the child is in the library.

No public place, including the library, can guarantee the safety of children. A child could be lured away by a stranger or become ill. A child could wander outside and become lost or injured. An emergency could dictate that we evacuate the building. We are primarily concerned with your child's safety, and we feel this policy better assures his or her well-being.

Therefore, the behavior and welfare of children in the library are the responsibility of the parent or guardian accompanying the child to the library. For the safety and protection of young library users, the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library has adopted the following policy concerning children left unattended in the library.

Unattended children eight years old and under:

  • Parents/caregivers may not leave children eight years old and under unattended in the library at any time.
  • The library in no way assumes responsibility for any child eight or under left unattended in the building.
  • Parents/caregivers are responsible for the children's behavior while in the library and for ensuring that their children obey library rules and regulations
  • Parents/caregivers must remain in the library during library-sponsored programs if their children are eight and under, and must pick up the children upon conclusion of the program.
  • If a child in this age group is found unattended when the library is open, library staff will attempt to locate the parent/caregiver in the library and inform him/her of the Safe Child Policy.
  • If the parent/caregiver cannot be found, the child will be placed in the care of law enforcement.
  • Under no circumstances will a staff member give the child a ride home, take the child outside the building, or offer the child a seat in his/her vehicle.
  • Once the child has been placed in the care of law enforcement personnel, the staff will leave notes to this effect at the circulation desk and on the front door of the library.
  • Parents/caregivers who continue to disregard library policy regarding this matter may be reported to the appropriate social services agency and/or may lose all library privileges.

Unattended children ages nine years old and over:

  • Children ages nine and over are responsible for obeying library rules and regulations.
  • The library in no way assumes responsibility for any child nine or older left unattended in the building.
  • Parents/caregivers of children between the ages of nine and twelve must have a responsible plan for picking up their children by closing time. Children must be made aware of the specific arrangements that have been made.

The procedure for dealing with unattended children eight or under (outlined above) may also apply to any:

  • child that has not been picked up within 15 minutes of closing
  • child that has become ill or frightened
  • child that is vulnerable because of circumstances such as weather conditions, inadequate meal arrangements or long hours out of contact with the parent/caregiver
  • child that has become disruptive and has not responded to verbal warnings issued by the library staff.

Parents who continue to disregard library policy regarding this matter may be reported to the appropriate social services agency and/or may lose all library privileges.

The library staff respects the privacy of all library patrons and will intervene only when, in the opinion of the library staff, the safety and well-being of a child is threatened.

Parking Lot Use Policy

Adopted October 8, 2002 by the Board of Trustees of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library

The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library parking lot is provided for the use of library patrons and staff at no charge. The lot consists of 139 regular parking spaces. Six handicapped parking spaces are provided for the exclusive use of those who show the proper state-issued identification.

In order to assure the safety of our patrons and staff, we ask that everyone who uses the library parking lot adhere to the following practices:

  • Each vehicle may use only one marked parking space.
  • The parking lot is off limits to heavy trucks and semi trailers.
  • Vehicles may not be left in the parking lot overnight.
  • Special parking arrangements for a specific purpose within a limited time period may be negotiated through the library director with the approval of the board.
  • Stopping, standing or parking is not permitted in the entry and book drop lane immediately in front of the library building or in any driving lane, whether the vehicle is attended or unattended.
  • The library's parking lot cannot be used for the purpose of displaying or advertising a vehicle that is for sale.
  • Stopping, standing, and parking are permitted only marked parking spaces.

Acceptable Use of the Internet

Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library Acceptable Use of Computers and the Internet by Adult Patrons Policy and Disclaimer

Adopted December 2001 by the Board of Trustees of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library

Computer use is a voluntary action initiated by patrons. Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library considers the use of the computers a privilege extended to patrons. Therefore, patrons are expected to comply with the guidelines of the library's Internet policy.

Freedom of expression is the foundation for self-government. Freedom encompasses the right to freedom of speech and the corollary right to receive information. The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library facilitates the exercise of these rights by providing access to information regardless of format or technology. In order that all citizens of Guilford Township have access to electronic information, the library provides publicly-supported computer stations and Internet access.

The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library does not assume responsibility for any direct or indirect damages arising from the use of its computers or its connection to Internet services. However, the library cannot control the resources on the Internet because it is not a static entity.The Internet changes each minute as new web sites connect and existing web sites add or delete content. Some sites accessible via the Internet may contain material that is inaccurate, defamatory, illegal or offensive to some people. While the library may attempt to prevent access to materials that would not generally be acceptable in a public library, it is technically impossible to prevent access to all resources that might be objectionable to some people. Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library shall not be responsible for written materials accessed by patrons which may have been pulled up from questionable sites.

The library's public computer network stations are intended primarily for information gathering. The Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library reserves the right to restrict or deny use of electronic mail (e-mail), chat rooms, newsgroups and other interactive services by library patrons. The library also reserves the right to limit the time a person may use a public computer.

Use of the library's computers for illegal or criminal purposes or to seek access into unauthorized areas is strictly prohibited. Users must respect all copyright laws and licensing agreements pertaining to software, files or other resources obtained via the computers. Users whose conduct violates federal, state or local laws will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Users must refrain from inappropriate Internet conduct. Examples of inappropriate conduct include: misrepresenting oneself or the library, sending chain letters, using abusive or objectionable language in either public or private messages, engaging in harassing behavior such as sending or posting slanderous, libelous, seditious, obscene or threatening messages.

The library reserves the right to review any material stored in general files to which all network users have access and may remove any material which, in the library's opinion, does not comply with policy guidelines. The library also reserves the right to deny computer use to anyone who does not comply with these guidelines. Finally, the library reserves the right to monitor what appears on the computer screens and the activities that are being carried out on the computers in the library.

"My Rules for Online Safety": Guidelines for Children's Internet Safety

Adopted December 2001 by the Board of Trustees of the Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library

  • I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, parent's work address or telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parent's permission.
  • I will tell my parent right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.
  • I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and I will bring my mother or father along.
  • I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.
  • I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do, I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the online service.
  • I will talk with my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide on the time of day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online, and the appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.