POLICY STATEMENT REGARDING
USE OF THE BERNARDS TOWNSHIP LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOMS

The Bernards Township Library makes program space available at no charge to area groups and organizations which are non-profit, and/or service oriented, which are open to new membership, and which foster community interaction, learning experiences, or discussion forums.

Reference: Booking Guidelines for Library Program Room Use.

Adopted 03/99
Revised 06/19/02
Reviewed 10/20/04
Reviewed 06/27/07

• Submit requests no later than one week before the event.
• Outside groups’ meetings must be scheduled only during those hours when the library is normally open. Attendees are not admitted prior to regular opening hours and all activities and clean up must be concluded by closing time.
• Provide the library with information about the purpose, times, and content of the program at the time of booking.
• Submit program set-up requirements no later than one week before the event.
• Groups are responsible for the following:
  • Publicity: Provide group members and intended audience (if program is public) with program information and directions to the library, and/or with a contact number/email address etc.
  • Greeting & Building Monitoring: Ensure that a group member is present to monitor the library entrances when programs begin before regular library hours, and make sure that attendees know where the program is being held.
  • Parking Monitoring: Alert group members to avoid parking in the upper and lower parking lots adjacent to the library building. Direct them to the lower lot entered from Lindbergh Lane, across the street in the municipal parking lot on South Maple Avenue, or on area side streets.
  • All Program Supplies: Provide food and food service supplies, program equipment, and signage as needed.
  • Clean Up and Closing Requirements: Leave program room and kitchen clean, remove trash generated by groups over 50 to the dumpster in the rear parking lot, and be ready to leave the library no later than five minutes before closing time.

Please see the BERNARDS TOWNSHIP LIBRARY BOOKING DETAILS FOR LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM USE form

• Events must conclude a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the regular library closing time, or earlier in cases where more than 15 minutes is needed to complete clean-up as outlined below.
• The program room kitchen may be used to store and prepare refreshments immediately prior to the event. All perishable food must be removed from the premises immediately following the event.
• Empty coffee pots and rinse the inside of each in hot water and soap. DO NOT IMMERSE POTS IN WATER. Dry the inside of each pot, and turn upside down on towels on counter. Wash and dry any other library utensils used and replace them in the cabinets or drawers from which they were taken.
• Be sure the stove top burners and oven are turned off and that both have been cleaned of any spills or debris.
• Waste from groups under 25 can be placed in lined kitchen waste container. Waste from larger groups and recyclables from all groups must be removed from the site.
• Groups must provide their own supplies of all items needed for the scheduled event.
• The Applicant agrees to compensate the library fully for any cleaning, repair or replacement of library property deemed necessary by the Program Coordinator.

Please see the PROGRAM ROOM KITCHEN form

INTERNET USE POLICY

The Internet is an electronic network providing access to information via computers worldwide. Connections can be made to government agencies, private institutions, libraries, museums, universities, businesses and more throughout the world. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information. Internet users need to keep in mind that some of the information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated, or offensive. An information consumer must evaluate the validity and appropriateness of any information found. Patrons use the Internet at their own risk.

To fulfill our mission of providing open public access to information of all types in a wide range of formats for all users, the Bernards Township Library provides access to Internet resources. Unlike other library resources, the information and sources found on the Internet are not subject to the selection policies of the library. The library cannot control the information that is posted to the Internet worldwide, and assumes responsibility only for information and links provided on our home page. Parents or guardians, not the library or its staff, are responsible for information selected and/or accessed by their children. Supervision of minors' Internet sessions by parents or guardians is encouraged and advised.

The staff and Board of Trustees of the Bernards Township Library support the American Library Association's stand on intellectual freedom. See specifically the ALA's Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read statement, the Freedom to View statement, and the New Jersey Library Association's People's Rights to Libraries. In addition, we support the New Jersey Library Association's Public Access to the Internet - Basic Library Service resolution and Restriction of Internet Access and Use of Filtering Software in Libraries statement. Copies of these documents are available at the Reference Desk.

Viewing of certain materials in the public library and other uses of the Internet may be considered improper in time, place or manner. If patron behavior when using Internet resources becomes inappropriate for a library setting, the library reserves the right to end the session. 1.

Downloaded files, images and data from the Internet may contain viruses. The Bernards Township Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's disk or computer that may occur from use of the library's computers.

Sessions will be limited if patrons are waiting.

Help is available informally at the library, and training is offered at regularly scheduled sessions.

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1. See Standards of Acceptable Behavior
adopted by the Board of the Bernards Township Library 11/94

Adopted by the Board of the Bernards Township Library June 18, 1997. Revised September 16, 1998