Our Policies

Patron Policy

The Library Patron Policy outlines the acceptable and unacceptable behavior in the library. Any patron not abiding by these or other rules may be required to leave the library premises. The patron policy is posted around the building and reads as follows:

To allow all patrons of the Joint Free Public Library of Morristown and Morris Township to use its facilities to the fullest extent during regularly scheduled hours, the Library Boards 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.
  Patrons shall not harass or annoy others through noisy or 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 reasonably expected to disturb others.

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 in the library building.
  
• Interfere with the use of the library by other patrons, or interfere with library employees’ performance of their duties.
  
• Deface or mar library materials.
  Books, magazines, newspapers, recordings or other items of the library collection, nor shall they deface, mar or in any way destroy or damage library furnishings, walls, machines, or other library property.
• Enter the building without 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).
  
  Each patron shall be responsible for any fines, fees or other charges due in accordance with the library’s standard schedules. Failure to pay these fines will result in suspension of borrowing privileges.
  
  Any materials removed from the library must be checked out on a valid library card or through other standard library procedures such as interlibrary loan.
  
  Any patron not abiding by these or other rules and regulations of the library may be required to leave the library premises. Library employees may contact the Morristown Police if deemed advisable.
  
  Any patron who violates these 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.

Unattended Children Policy

The Joint Free Public Library of Morristown & Morris Township staff hopes that children using our library will find it a warm and inviting place to be. The happiness and safety of young children left alone in the library is a serious concern. Left on their own they often become frightened or anxious. If left unattended for any length of time when no library program is being offered, they often become bored, restless and disruptive. Therefore the following policy has been established.

Library staff members cannot assume responsibility for the care, safety or well-being of children in the library. Therefore parents or caregivers may not leave children under age eight unattended in the children’s room when no program is being offered or in any other part of the library at any time, and they are responsible for the behavior of their children of any age while in the library.

Children may use a library phone at any time to call home for a ride.

Parents are required to be at the library no later than five minutes before closing to pick up children. If no caregiver is present, the library staff will attempt to reach the parents or guardian. At closing the Morristown Police Department will be called.

10/17/1995

Internet Policy

The Joint Free Public Library of Morristown & Morris Township is pleased to offer access to the wealth of resources on the Internet. We would like to remind the users of this service that:

An Internet user must log in with his/her own personal library card or computer card number. Using any other card number will result in the loss of Internet privileges.
Some or all of the resources may be unavailable at any time for technical reasons over which the library has no control.

Library personnel have no control over the quality of information on the Internet. Each user must consider the validity and reliability of the information found.
Parents or guardians, NOT the library or its staff, are responsible for Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Some materials may be offensive, disturbing and/or illegal. Library personnel do not monitor or supervise Internet access, except for the length of time of use.

Library computers may not be used to access chat rooms.

Users must log off before leaving a computer.

The library reserves the right to end an Internet session.

02/19/2004

Privacy Policy

The confidentiality of library records is assured in N.J.S.18A:73-43.2:
The Board of Trustees of the Joint Free Public Library of Morristown and Morris Township believes that it is the basic right of its patrons to read, view and listen to what they wish without fear of censure or legal consequences. The Board also affirms the right of its Patrons to privacy.

The library will take reasonable steps to protect each user’s right to privacy with respect to private information acquired from its Patrons including, but not limited to name, address, information sought or retrieved , and materials consulted, borrowed or acquired. Records whether in paper or digital format containing such information will only be made available in three specific instances.
1. When the records are necessary for the proper operation of the Library,
2. When disclosure is requested by the patron; and
3. When disclosure is required pursuant to a subpoena issued by a court or court order.

Cell Phones

Patrons must turn cell phones to vibrate or off while in the library. If necessary, patrons may speak quietly on cell phones in the hallway by the elevator.

Tobacco

Smoking or the use of smokeless tobacco products is prohibited anywhere inside or on the grounds of the Joint Free Public Library of Morristown and Morris Township. For the purpose of this policy, “smoking “ means the burning of , inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from , or the possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other matter or substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked. “Smokeless tobacco products” shall include, but not be limited to chew, pouches, and any form of tobacco that promotes spitting. “Library grounds” shall include all property, including but not limited to the walkways, unpaved areas, driveways and alcoves.

Any officer or employee of the Library may enforce this policy. When necessary, employees are encouraged to request the assistance of the Police department to enforce compliance with the policy.

Violations of this policy may result in warnings, banning from the premises, penalties and criminal prosecution in addition to the penalties available under the Smoke-free Air Act.

If any provision or application of this policy shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall pertain only to that specific provision or application, and shall not affect the other provisions of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

Study Room Policy

Policy Summary

The Morristown & Morris Township Library has two Group Study Rooms (GSRs). These rooms are intended for the purpose of collaborative study and research by 2 or more persons. GSRs will be locked when not in use. All users, with or without an advance reservation, must check in with a reference librarian on the first floor, who will arrange to unlock a GSR. An individual may use a GSR, but must vacate the room for a group. Rooms will be available for use from Library opening to up to 15 minutes before closing. Library hours are generally Monday thru Thursday 9-9, Friday 9-6, Saturday 9:30-5 (10-2 in July and August) and Sunday 1-5. Inclement weather and other circumstances may affect the hours the Library is open.

General Policies:

1. Groups and individuals must register at the reference desk on the first floor before use.
2. If a group study room is not reserved, it is open on a first come, first served basis for individuals or groups. Individuals, however, must vacate the room if a group wishes to use the room.
3. Use of the rooms is limited to two hours per day. However if the rooms are not scheduled, users may remain, but must vacate when another group wants the room.
4. All established Library rules apply.
5. Food and beverages are not permitted. This includes water and snacks.
6. Smoking or the use of tobacco products are not permitted anywhere in the building or on the grounds.
7. Rooms must be left in the condition in which they were found. Destruction or defacement of Library property will not be tolerated and the room user will be required to bear the cost of any damage to the Group Study Room.
8. Loud or disturbing noise or behavior will not be permitted.
9. All Library materials must be returned to the departments from which they came.
10. The Library is not responsible for personal items left in the rooms.
11. Glue, paint, glitter, permanent markers etc. are not permitted.
12. Children and young adults may use the room only if an adult, 18 years of age or older requests the room and remains in the room at all times.

Reservation Policy:

1. Two GSRs, Room A (up to 4 seats), Room B (up to 8 seats) may be reserved.
2. Rooms may be reserved in-person or by telephone by a patron:
(a) 18 years of age or older, and
(b) with either
(i) a valid full-service library card in good standing from the Morristown & Morris Township Library or
(ii) a M.A.I.N. Library card ( Morris Area Information Network) or
(iii) a valid NJ Driver’s license.
3. To reserve a room the following must be provided:
(a) the full name of the person reserving the rooms,
(b) their MMT or M.A.I.N. library card number or valid NJ driver’s license number,
(c) the telephone number of the person reserving the room, and
(d) the number of people in the group.
4. Reservations may be made for groups only. (2 or more persons).
5. Reservations may be made for a maximum of 2 hours per day.
6. Rooms may be reserved two weeks in advance from the date of the reservation.
7. The person who reserves the room will be held financially responsible for any damage to the room and furnishings.
8. Reservations will be forfeited if not claimed within 15 minutes of the reservation time.
9. The person reserving the room must occupy the room at all times.
10. Only one person in a group may reserve a room for the same day. A different person from the same group cannot make a reservation for the same day in order to avoid the two hour limit per day.

The above policy was formulated to foster the equitable use of these rooms for all. Since no policy can anticipate all circumstances, the Library reserves the right to refuse a reservation request, deny access, or remove any user of a Group Study Room.

(revised 9/23/09)

Meeting Room Policy

Please click here for a copy of the meeting room policy.