Policies

In an effort to maintain an optimum and pleasant environment, the Islip Public Library requests that patrons be considerate of others when visiting the Library. Cell phones and other portable communication devices (herein referred to as cell phones collectively) are not to be used in the Library other than in either vestibule or outside the facility. Cell phones must be turned off or set to vibrate while in the Library. Patrons violating this policy may be asked to leave the Library or face other penalties.

Purpose:

The Rules of Conduct Policy is established to provide guidelines for patron behavior that will ensure the safety of patrons and staff, the protection and preservation of library materials, facilities and property, the maintenance of a welcoming atmosphere in the Library, and the assurance of equitable access to all individuals.

While on Library premises, patrons shall engage in reading, studying, using Library materials, attending programs, or similar activities consistent with the use of a public library.  Any patron not so engaged shall be required to leave the premises.

Inappropriate behavior which is prohibited; includes but is not limited to the following activities:

• Engaging in any action or speech, which, within the discretion of supervising Library personnel, constitutes an annoyance, disruption, distraction, or threat to patrons and/or Library personnel, or which compromises the orderly and peaceful utilization of the Library;
• Disrupting or disturbing another’s use of the Library by engaging in loud, boisterous, or disorderly activities; talking or singing to others or in monologue such that patrons are disturbed; staring at another person such that the other could reasonably be considered to be annoyed; or following another person about the premises such that the person followed is annoyed or disturbed;
• Using the Library for sectarian religious instruction, as a place of worship, or to proselytize;
• Non-compliance with Suffolk County’s Chapter 754 Smoking Laws, which ban smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in public libraries; smoking or other use of tobacco products including vapor or e-cigarettes in library facilities or on any library property, including outdoor seating areas and parking lot;
• Defacing, damaging or destroying Library material, equipment, and/or property;
• Sleeping, napping or dozing in or on Library premises;
• Bringing or consuming any food or drink beyond the vestibule areas other than bottled water; having any food or drink near any computer area;
• Rearranging Library furniture, utilization of one chair by more than one patron, sitting on Library tables and putting feet on Library furniture;
• Entering the premises without footwear, shirts and/or lower body covering;
• Entering or remaining on Library premises with bodily hygiene that is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to other persons;
• Activities such as bathing, shaving, hair trimming, shampooing, and laundering in the restroom, along with any activity that constitutes a misuse or abuse of the restroom facilities;
• Using obscene or abusive language or gestures; engaging in excessive or disruptive conversation;
• Engaging in intentional bodily contact that could be construed as sexual in nature or engaging in intentional body contact, sexual conduct or indecent behavior on Library premises, as defined under New York Penal Law;
• Leaving personal belongings unattended;
• Using cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices in a manner that disturbs others.  Audible cell phone and pager ringers must be turned off and/or set to vibrate. Cell phones should be used in vestibules or outside the Library;
• Using computers or personal devices without headphones set at a volume that disturbs others;
• Skateboarding and rollerblading on Library property.  For safety reasons, patrons bringing skateboards into the building are expected to leave them at the Circulation Desk for the duration of their visit;
• Bringing any animals into the building, with the exception of guide/service animals;
• Leaving children under the age of ten (10) and any child, in the judgement of the staff, whose health, safety or welfare is jeopardized or whose behavior is worrisome, unattended in the Library or on the premises;
• Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance, or exhibiting signs of being under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance;
• Transporting fireworks, firearms or weapons onto Library premises;
• Loitering in the Library or on Library property;
• Sitting, lounging or lying on the Library floor other than in a program setting;
• Selling, soliciting, surveying, distributing written materials, panhandling or canvassing for any political, charitable or religious purposes on library property without prior authorization of the Library Director. (see full Publicity and Solicitation Policy);
• Making fraudulent use of another’s library card and/or account for any purpose, including gaining access to the Library’s public computers;
• Entering non-public areas of the library without permission; and
• Parking vehicles on Library premises when not using the Library.

Library personnel will enforce these rules.  Patrons not complying with these rules may be requested to leave the premises and are subject to having their Library privileges suspended, limited, or revoked by the Library Director or his/her designee.  In addition, other agencies may be notified of actions taken. As a first course of action and at the discretion of the Director, notification may be provided in writing that future infractions will result in a suspension, limitation or revocation of Library privileges.  Written notification, however, is not mandatory.

Patrons have the right to submit a written notice of appeal to the Board of Trustees within thirty (30) days of any action of the Library Director or his/her designee suspending borrowing or revoking or limiting Library privileges.

October 26, 2017, revised

​The purpose of this policy is to inform parents and caretakers that the Library does not assume responsibility for their children as well as to provide guidelines to be utilized by staff if a child is left unattended in the Library.

The Islip Public Library Board of Trustees and staff strive to provide a warm, welcoming and enriching environment for children of all ages.   However, the Library cannot guarantee the safety of children. A child could be approached by a stranger, become ill, wander outside, or become lost or injured.   Young children left alone in the building or on Library grounds can be vulnerable and at risk. We are primarily concerned with your children’s safety, and we believe that our policy assists in assuring their well–being.

In the execution of their duties to serve the public in the most accountable manner, staff cannot monitor the whereabouts or behavior of children.  Parents and caretakers, not Library staff, are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children while using the Library.  The Islip Public Library does not assume responsibility for children’s safety or behavior when they are in the Library. The Library’s services do not include “baby-sitting.”

For the safety and comfort of children, the Islip Public Library has established a policy that all children under the age of ten, and any child, in the judgment of staff, whose health, safety or welfare is jeopardized or whose behavior reflects inappropriate conduct, be attended and supervised by a responsible parent, guardian or caretaker, sixteen years of age or older, at all times and in all areas of the Library.   

With the exception of those times when a young child is attending a program without a parent/caretaker in the room, children under the age of ten years must be within sight of the person responsible for their safety.  During programming for children that does not require the participation of a parent or caretaker; it is recommended that parents and caretakers remain on Library premises.  Parents or caretakers must be present to pick-up their children under the age of ten promptly upon conclusion of Library programming. Library staff may not take phone numbers for the purposes of making calls to inform parents/caretakers that programs have concluded.  

Unattended Child During Library Hours:

If it is determined that a child under the age of ten is unattended, a staff member will seek to identify and locate the parent/caretaker.  If staff cannot ascertain the location of the parent/caretaker by searching the Library, the parent/caretaker will be paged over the intercom.  Once the adult is located, he/she will be advised of the Library’s policy. If the parent/caretaker is not located a staff member will accompany the child while an attempt is made to ascertain the phone number of the child’s parent.  If at the end of 20 additional minutes, the phone number is not ascertained or if phone calls go unanswered, the police will be contacted.

In the event an attending adult is present but not providing appropriate childcare, the Library reserves the right to contact the police if a verbal reminder from the staff does not elicit the appropriate supervision.

Unattended Child After Closing:

This provision pertains to all children under the age of ten and any child, in the judgment of the staff, whose health, safety or welfare is jeopardized by being left unattended after closing.

Parents, guardians, and designated adults are required to be familiar with the Library's hours and to make advance arrangements to pick up or otherwise transport their children before the Library closes. A child left unattended at closing time may be deemed at risk.  If, at closing, no parent or caretaker is present or waiting outside, two staff members including the building supervisor will stay with the child in the building and will monitor public entrances.  The child or the librarian in charge will call the parent or caretaker’s home and/or cell phone, if available.  Parents will be notified that the child must be picked-up immediately, and if not, that the police will be contacted.  If at the end of 20 minutes, no parent or caretaker has arrived, the police will be contacted to take the child into custody.  When dealing with a child who has a previous history of not being picked-up on time by a parent or caretaker, the staff may contact the police more quickly.

Under no circumstances will a staff member drive a child home, or drive a child to the police station.  Under no circumstances will a staff member remove a child from the building in the absence of a parent, caretaker or law enforcement officer.

Sick Children:

Parents are expected to keep sick children at home and not bring them to the Library, especially during children’s programming when illness may easily be spread to other children.  Parents or caretakers of children obviously evidencing illness will be asked to remove their sick children from the building.

February 8, 2010 revised

The Islip Public Library is the community's favored place to meet, to learn and to discover.  On a daily basis, the Library connects people to each other and to the world.  As part of our mission to support the educational, informational and leisure activities of our patrons, tutoring will be supported on the premises in accordance with this policy.

1. Tutors are individuals who provide instruction to or conduct discussions for others either on a paid or volunteer basis.  Only those volunteer tutors working through the non-profit agency, Literacy Volunteers, may request a private meeting space to work with a student.  There will be no other exceptions to this policy.

2. Children under the age of 18 years of age who are tutored in the Library are the responsibility of the tutor while on Library property until they are released to a parent/guardian.  The Library’s Safe Children Policy mandates that students under the age of 10 be attended by a parent, guardian, or caregiver 16 years of age or older while in the Library.  Parents of children receiving tutoring are strongly encouraged to remain in the Library during tutoring sessions.

3. Tutors shall work with a maximum of two (2) students per session per table.  The Library is not to be used as classroom or office space, but as a safe and quiet workspace for students to receive instruction in order to be academically successful.

4. Tutoring is not allowed in the following areas:  the quiet study room, the Teen Room, the café, the local history room, the magazine area, and the picture book room.  The Children’s Room is available for tutors with students within grades 1 through 6. Other public space in the Library will be available for use by tutors on a first come, first-served basis.  Areas appropriate for group study and tutors may not be available if being used by others or needed for Library programs or activities. Reservations cannot be made for specific areas and there is no exclusive use of areas in the Library.

5. Tutors and their students are required to follow the Library’s Rules of Conduct Policy. The Director or his/her designee shall have the right to terminate any tutoring session that violates any portion of this Policy or the Library’s Rules of Conduct Policy.  

6. The Library reserves the right to ask tutoring or study groups that become too loud or disruptive to leave the Library.

7. The Library does not sponsor, recommend, or assume liability or responsibility for the work and/or activities of tutors who use Library space.  Tutors may not distribute or disseminate advertisements, letters, fliers or business cards identifying the Library as their place of doing business or implying Library sponsorship of their activities.

8. Tutors may not solicit on Library premises.

9. It is the responsibility of tutors to establish communication with their students, and not to instruct the students or their parents to contact the Library regarding their work. The Library staff cannot take or deliver messages to students or their tutors.

10. Tutors working with students at the end of the Library day are asked to leave the Library fifteen minutes before closing time.

11. No money may be exchanged in the Library for tutoring services.

12. The Library reserves the right to require both tutors and students to sign in as well as to require the tutor to display a picture ID for identification purposes.

May 10, 2018, revised