Loan Policy
Regulation of Conduct on Library Premises
Unattended Children Policy
Internet Policy and Users Agreement
Policy Statement: As part of its mission to serve as an educational and recreational resource for the community, the Bethpage Public Library seeks to provide users with access to the Internet and the World Wide Web. The Library is a forum for all points of view and adheres to and endorses the principles of intellectual freedom.
Rules and Regulations
- Preference in the use of the Internet will be given to residents of Bethpage Union Free School District. Non-residents may use the Internet if it is not is use by a local resident, and must relinquish the time slot in the event that a local resident wishes to use it.
- All users, by virtue of their use of Library Internet access, agree to the Internet Policy and Users Agreement.
- Internet access in the Children's room and on the Young Adult computers is provided with filtering software to block or filter, to the extent possible, access by minors to inappropriate material.
- The Bethpage Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed on the Internet. It is the responsibility of parents or legal guardians to determine which sites are appropriate for their children. Parents or guardians are urged to actively participate with their children when using the Internet, and to provide guidance for their usage.
- Library staff will assist users in logging into the system, but cannot provide extended instruction. It is the responsibility of the user to exit all programs used and display the original screen.
- Users may print materials on the library's printers or save information onto their own media. Users may not download or save information to the library's computer hard disk.
- Users are prohibited from engaging in inappropriate network usage including hacking and other unlawful activities and must comply with all State and Federal Laws including all U.S. Copyright regulations. It is illegal in New York State to display pornographic images or obscene materials in the Library, or to disseminate such materials to minors through computer communication systems.
- The Bethpage Public Library makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor assumes responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy or usefulness of any information accessed via the Internet.
- Users are responsible for any charges incurred if they enter a fee-based service.
Response to Violations
Failure to comply with library policies and regulations governing computer internet access may result in termination of Internet access privileges and suspension of library privileges. Unlawful activities will be dealt with appropriately through local law enforcement agencies.
Loan Policy
Books
28 Day Books: (Fiction and Non-Fiction): (includes Large Type, Literacy and World Language Collection)
- Loan period - 28 days
- Daily fine - $0.10
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- One renewal
- Can be reserved
14 Day Books (Fiction and Non-Fiction): (includes Large Type)
- Loan period - 14 days
- Daily fine - 0.10
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- No renewals
- Can be reserved
Express Collection:
- Loan period - 7 days
- Daily fine - $0.25
- Maximum fine - $10.00
- No renewals
- No reserves
- Bethpage cardholders only
Paperbacks:
- Loan period - 28 days
- Daily fine - $0.05
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- One renewal
- Can be reserved
Magazines:
- Bethpage cardholders only
- Loan period - 14 days
- Daily fine - 0.10
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- One renewal
- No holds
CDs:
- Loan period - 14 days
- Daily fine- $0.10
- Maximum fine - $10.00
- One renewal
- After 12 months: Can be reserved
- Purcahsed within 12 months: Bethpage cardholders only
DVDs:
- Loan period - Purchased within 12 months - 2 days; After 12 months - 7 days
- Daily fine - $2.00
- Maximum fine - $10.00
- No renewals
- After 12 months: Can be reserved
- Purchased within 12 months: Bethpage cardholders only
VHS Tapes:
- Loan period - 7 days
- Daily fine - $2.00
- Maximum fine - $10.00
- No renewals
- No holds
Books on CD( Abridged and Unabridged):
- Loan period - 14day
- Daily fine - $0.25
- Maximum fine - $10.00
- Can be reserved
- One renewal
Video Games:
- Loan period - 7 days
- Daily fine - $2.00
- Maximum fine - $10.00
- No renewals
- No reserves
- Bethpage cardholders only
Museum Passes:
- Loan period - 4 days
- Daily fine - $2.00
- Maximum fine - $25.00
- No renewals
- Reserve at the Reference Desk
Young Adult Materials
Books:
28 Day Books: (including Graphic Novels)
- See Adult
14 Day Books
- See Adult
Paperbacks:
- See Adult
Magazines
- See Adult
Children's Materials
Books:
28 Day Books: (Fiction and Non-fiction): (includes Picture Books, I Can Read, Concept Books)
- Loan period - 28 days
- Daily fine - $0.10
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- One renewal
- Can be reserved
Paperbacks:
- Loan period - 28 days
- Daily fine - $0.05
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- One renewal
- Can be reserved
Magazines:
- Bethpage cardholders only
- Loan period - 14 days
- Daily fine - $0.10
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- One renewal
- No holds
Puzzles:
- Loan period - 14 days
- Daily fine - $0.10
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- One renewal
- No reserves
DVDs:
- Loan period - Purchased within 12 months - 2 days; After 12 months - 7 days
- Daily fine - $2.00
- Maximum fine - $10.00
- No renewals
- No reserves
VHS Tapes:
- Loan period - 7 days
- Daily fine - $2.00
- Maximum fine - $10.00
- No renewals
- No holds
Book Cassette:
- Loan period - 28 days
- Daily fine - $0.10
- Maximum fine - $$5.00
- One renewal
- No holds
Book CD:
- Loan period - 28 days
- Daily fine - $0.10
- Maximum fine - $5.00
- One renewal
- Can be reserved
Museum Passes:
- See Adult
Regulation of Conduct on Library Premises
The Bethpage Public Library Board of Trustees has established certain standards of acceptable behavior on library property in order to maintain an atmosphere that promotes the use and enjoyment of the resources and services of the library, promotes the safety of the general public and the library staff, and protects the building, furniture, and materials of the library.
Any activity that interferes with the rights of the other patrons to use the library, disrupts the normal functioning of the library, could result in physical, emotional, or mental injury to oneself or others, or could result in damage to the facilities, equipment, or materials is considered disruptive and unacceptable behavior.
The library reserves, through its maintenance of public order policy, the right to require anyone who engages in disruptive behavior to leave the premises, the right to restrict privileges for a specified period of time, and the right to ban the individual from the library for a specified period of time. Unlawful activities will be reported immediately to the Nassau County law enforcement authorities.
Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to the following:
- Loud Talking and Laughing. Sensitivity to noise varies from one person or group to another; however, if one person or group is heard above the general noise level in the library at a particular time, this person or group will be requested to lower their voices.
- Fighting. Includes any type of assault, whether real or provoked.
- Throwing Objects. Includes wadded up papers, paper airplanes, other small objects, and larger objects that could cause injury.
- Boisterous Behavior. Includes running, horseplay, playing on the elevator, and annoying other patrons.
- Cellular or Portable Phones. Use of cellular or portable telephones by patrons is restricted to the entry corridor.
- Abusive or Obscene Language or Gestures. Includes language or gestures that convey a sexually explicit message or are conveyed in a coarse or crude manner and any language that verbally abuses another individual.
- Solicitation. Includes a selling anything for personal gain or a charitable cause, begging, panhandling, or circulating petitions among other patrons and staff members.
- Eating and Drinking. Reserved for designated areas only.
- Smoking.
- Sleeping. Pertains to habitual sleeping or those who are sprawled on furniture, or generally disturbing other patrons.
- Loitering. Defined as a person who wanders around the library without apparent legitimate reason and disturbs other patrons or disrupts library operations.
- Animals. Animals of any kind are prohibited unless serving as an aide animal or part of a library-sponsored program.
- Unattended Children. A parent, guardian, or other responsible adult must accompany children under age 10 at all times in the library.
- Improper Attire. Patrons must wear shoes and shirt in the library building.
- Abuse of Library Equipment, Furniture, and Materials. Includes but is not limited to placing feet on tables and chairs, standing on furniture, mutilating or defacing books or periodicals, and mistreating equipment or computers.
- Bikes, Rollerblades, Skateboards, and Scooters. Must not be ridden anywhere within the library.
- Blocking Aisles or Doorways. Includes obstructing aisles or doorways or in any way interfering with the free movement of any other persons.
- Weapons. Carrying weapons of any type on library property is not permissible except by law enforcement officers.
- Removing Library Materials or Equipment. Staff members must check out all circulating materials and equipment at the circulation desk before they can be removed from library property.
- Playing Music. Includes playing music or other media.
- Excessive Displays of Affection. Includes any sexual conduct or physical contact deemed inappropriate for a public place.
- Hygiene. A person may be required to leave the library if his/her personal hygiene disrupts the orderly operation of the library or with the ability of other patrons to use and enjoy the facility.
- Illegal Behavior. Any staff member who witnesses illegal behavior will notify his or her supervisor who will contact law enforcement authority. Illegal behavior includes but is not limited to the following:
- Assault. Intentionally or reckless conduct causes injury to another person.
- Criminal Mischief. Intentionally damages the property of another (includes vandalism and mutilating library materials).
- Drunk and/or Disorderly Conduct. Causes public inconvenience by fighting, unreasonable noise, abusive or obscene language or gestures, threatening behavior, hazardous or physically offensive condition.
- Harassment. Threatens or annoys another person by physical contact or abusive or obscene language or follows a person in or about a public place.
- Public Lewdness. Intentionally exposes the private parts of the body in a lewd manner in a public place.
- Theft (Larceny). Wrongfully takes, obtains, or withholds the property of another.
- Trespass. Knowingly enters or remains unlawfully on the premises.
- Controlled Substances. Includes using, selling, or possessing controlled substances on library property, and entering library property while intoxicated or under the influence of illegal controlled substances. The use of alcohol is prohibited on library property.
Unattended Children Policy
The Bethpage Public Library welcomes library use by children. Staff members are available to assist children with library materials or services. Many programs are offered to make the library enticing to children, but when children are left unattended they often become disruptive. In order to create an environment of safety and maintain an atmosphere where patrons can enjoy all that the library offers, the following policies have been established:
- Parents or guardians are always responsible for the behavior, actions and safety of their children in the library.
- Children under the age of 10 must have a parent/caregiver at least 16 years of age accompanying and in the same area of the library.
- If a child is found unattended, the staff will make all efforts to locate a parent/caregiver. If a parent/caregiver cannot be located, the staff may elect to contact the police.
- Middle school children may use the library unattended, and are subject to the same rules and consequences as the other library users, including being required to leave the library and having their privileges to enter upon library premises and borrow material suspended.
- It is sometimes necessary for the library to close due to unusual or emergency situations. All children should have the name and phone number of someone to call in an emergency should the library be required to close early.
- The family will be required to leave the library if parents/caregivers do not cooperate with a staff member's request, or if the parents/caregivers are unable to control their children.
- Banging on the computer keyboards and equipment damages the computers. Parents must keep all young children supervised when they are using the computers.
- For children over the age of 10, parents/caregivers must be aware of the library hours, promptly pick up their child before the library closes.