Rules of Conduct

Adopted by vote of the Gloucester County Library Commission on August 24, 2022

1. For the comfort and safety of patrons, volunteers, staff and the protection of Library property, the following actions are examples of conduct not permitted on library property:

  • The Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet session that disrupts Library services or that involves user behavior that violates the Library’s policies; see Internet Use Policy. 
  • Disruptive behavior, such as creating loud noises, loud talking, screaming or banging on computer keyboards.
  • Interfering with another person’s right to use the library or with library staff’s performance of duties. 
  • Threatening  or harassing behavior, including but not limited to violence, threats of violence, possession of weapons and indecent or obscene conduct. 
  • Entering without a shirt or shoes or removing these items while in the library. 
  • Being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. Possession or use of alcohol. 
  • Selling, using, or possessing controlled substances. 
  • Smoking, chewing, vaping or the use of any tobacco product.
  • Lying down in the Library; having feet on furniture; or blocking aisles, exits or entrances. 
  • Disturbing others while using electronic devices. Please use headphones  & not public speakers. 
  • Bringing animals into the library except those needed to assist a disabled person. 
  • Using restrooms for bathing, doing laundry, or changing clothes. 
  • Campaigning, petitioning, interviewing the public, survey-taking, canvassing, selling or engaging in other commercial activity. Exceptions may be made by the Library Director when such activity is to be undertaken for purposes of the benefit of the library. 
  • Entering areas posted “Staff Only” without permission. 
  • Throwing items or running.  
  • Leaving a child under the age of 8 unattended in the library. 

Patrons engaged in any of the above behaviors will be warned once. If the behavior is repeated on the same day, the patron will be asked to leave. Failure to comply will result in a call to the police to escort the patron off library premises. Repeated and/or serious offenses may result in revocation of library privileges including being barred from the library for an extended period of time.

2. Failure to return library material, pay replacement costs or willfully failing to return out-of-print or valuable items will result in termination of library privileges and may result in prosecution. 

3.  Damaging or defacing library materials or property, theft of library materials, use of false identification to obtain a library card, or use of another person’s library card may result in prosecution. 

4. Parents and guardians are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their young children. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. If the young child is attending a library program, the responsible adult must remain in the immediate vicinity where the program is being conducted.

5. Using wheeled devices inside the library such as bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, motorized or non-motorized scooters is not permitted. These restrictions do not apply to ADA assistive devices or baby strollers.

6.  The violation of any federal or state statutes or local ordinances will also be regarded as a violation of the Library's Rules of Conduct Policy.

Library staff are authorized to enforce the Rules of Conduct Policy so that the facility can be used to the fullest by all persons.