Alert

Our Meet the Author event featuring Town of Middletown\'s Police Chief, Mr. Anthony M. Pesare, has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 16th, at 6:00pm. We hope to see you here!

Rules of Conduct

The Middletown Public Library is supported by the taxes of the people of Middletown who expect our Library to be clean, comfortable and a safe place for selecting materials, reading, researching, studying, writing and attending programs and meetings. To this end, the Library is responsible for establishing rules of conduct to protect the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers and staff, and for preserving and protecting the Library's materials, equipment, facilities and grounds. In addition, the Library has a strong commitment to intellectual freedom and to freedom of access to information.

Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff and/or Middletown Police will intervene to stop prohibited activities and could result in removal from the premises and exclusion from the Library's established rules, regulations and policies one day to one year, or in arrest or prosecution. Violations could also result in the restriction and/or termination of Library privileges, including the use of Library computers and other equipment. Individual patrons may request an administrative review of an exclusion order that is for a period greater than seven days. For the comfort and safety of patrons, volunteers and staff, and the protection of Library property, the following actions are examples of conduct not allowed on Library property:

• Engaging in any activity in violation of Federal, State, local or other applicable law or Library policy.
• Failing to comply with a reasonable staff request.
• Carrying firearms and dangerous weapons of any type except by law enforcement officers.
• Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs and selling, using or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs.
• Verbally or physically threatening or harassing other patrons, volunteers or staff, including stalking, staring, lurking, offensive touching and obscene acts such as sex acts and indecent exposure.
• Soliciting or conducting surveys not authorized by the Library.
• Stealing, damaging, altering or inappropriate use of Library property in Library facilities or on Library grounds, including computer hardware and software, printers, copiers, phones and other equipment.
• Trespassing in non-public areas, being in the Library without permission of an authorized Library employee before or after Library operating hours, or camping on Library grounds.
• Fighting or challenging to fight, running, pushing, shoving or throwing things.
• Creating disruptive noises such as loud talking, screaming or banging on computer keyboards.
• Gambling and group activities which are disruptive to the Library environment.
• Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a volume that disturbs others.
• Using cell phones, pagers and other communication devices in a manner that disturbs others. Audible cell phone and pager ringers must be turned off.
• Using restrooms for bathing or shampooing, doing laundry or changing clothes.
• Littering.
• Smoking, chewing and other tobacco use on Library property.
• Entering or being in the Library barefoot, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.
• Consuming food or beverages in public areas of the Library not authorized by the Library Director.
• Leaving packages, backpacks, luggage or any other personal items unattended.
• These unattended items are subject to immediate confiscation.
• Using wheeled devices in Library property or on Library grounds including use of skateboards, roller-skates, motorized or non-motorized scooters and shopping carts (except for motorized ADA assistive devices, wheelchairs, walkers and strollers and bicycles).
• Moving Library furniture from where it is placed by Library staff.
• Lying down or sleeping in the restrooms or on any floor, couch, table or seat in the Library; having feet on furniture or blocking aisles, exits or entrances.
• Neglecting to provide proper supervision of children.
• Bringing pets or animals, other than service animals necessary for disabilities, into the Library, except as authorized by the Library Director.