Library Policies

Disease Outbreak Preparedness Plan

Loan of most of the library’s 33,000 items.
• 1 week loan – Games, Older DVDs & DVD Series-Overdue fines of $2 per day.
• 2 week loan – New Books, Periodicals-Overdue fines of $.10 per day.
• 3 week loan – Older Fiction, Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction Videos & DVDs, AudioBook CDs and music CDs. Overdue Fine of $.10 per day.
• 3 day Loan – New DVDs – Limit of two per cardholder. Overdue Fine of $2 per day.
• Reserve any material not on the shelf when you come in, except new popular games and DVDs.
• We accept cash, check or credit cards. Our returned check fee is $25.
• Card will be blocked if fines are $10 or more.

• Member of the Ramapo Catskill Library System. Patrons have access to Public Access Computers for searching the holdings of 47 public libraries in Orange, Rockland, Ulster, and Sullivan counties and the Newburgh School System library.
• Library catalog, calendar of events, magazine and reference databases available at the Library and on our web page – www.tuxedoparklibrary.org
• Digital downloads are available for you to borrow and enjoy on your electronic devices.
• Museum passes are available for checkout.
• Public access to the Internet.
• Electronically placed holds on materials outside of our library.
• Personal, professional research assistance with your reference questions.
• Local history room and archives, and professional help with your local history research.
• 24-hour book drop for your returns.
• Direct Access privileges to other libraries in the Ramapo Catskill Library System.
• Facsimile and photocopy services with specified fees.
• Long-term loan of materials to education groups.
• Children’s and adult’s program as announced.
• Telephone, fax, or e-mail renewal of materials not on reserve. You must give us your name, library card barcode # and the title of the items you are renewing.
• Public access computers for children and adults.
• Free wireless internet access.
• Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.

The Tuxedo Park Library is dedicated to providing a warm, welcoming, exciting and safe environment for people of all ages. To promote a safe and secure environment for children who use the Library, we ask parents to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Parents should be aware that there are areas of the Library that are not supervised. Young children can become frightened if left alone for even a short time. For safety and security reasons, young children should never be left unattended.

• Children 9 and under must be supervised by a parent or caregiver who is age 11 or older, at all times and in all areas of the library except when participating in a library-sponsored program.

• Children 9 and under may not use the elevator without a parent or caregiver.

• Unattended Children At Closing Time – We ask that parents/caregivers be aware of the Library’s hours of operation. If an unattended child age 10 and under is not picked up within 15 minutes after closing, library staff will call for police assistance.

• Your children are sharing the Library with many other Library users, some of whom need and expect a quiet Library. Please be aware that the level of noise which parents are accustomed to may not be acceptable to others. Quiet voices are encouraged.

• School-age children are welcome to use the Library at all times. However, the Library is not a substitute for supervised day-care or after-school activities. Children should not be left at the Library while parents run errands or are picked up after their workday.

• When children are participating in Library-sponsored programs such as story hour, the Library staff will exercise supervision and control on behalf of the parent. We require that you pick up your child directly after such programs.

• We encourage our young patrons to play with the games, toys, computer software and puzzles available in the Children’s Room, but request that caregivers be responsible for returning items to their proper locations on the shelves.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in a verbal warning, written warning and/ or suspension of library privileges at the discretion of the Library Director.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees, September 3, 2003
Revised March 14, 2007
Revised June 10, 2014

You may have noticed that recently we have begun to enforce a state law regarding the privacy of patron information. In the past patrons were allowed to pick up holds for one another, even if they did not have the other person’s library card. That practice is in direct violation of §4509 of the State of New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules. We do not want to be liable for any legal challenges that may arise as a result of a violation of the law. Therefore, we now require that patrons sign a Disclosure of Library Records Consent Form if they want family members or caregivers to pick up their library materials. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the library director if you have any comments or concerns about this policy.

Disclosure of Library Records Consent Form

It is the policy of the Tuxedo Park Library to encourage community-minded people to serve as volunteers. Volunteers enhance, rather than replace, adequate staffing. The Library and its volunteers must work together to ensure a successful relationship.

A volunteer shall be considered to be any individual who assists the staff without remuneration. Volunteers are recognized by the public as representatives of the library and shall be guided by the same work and behavior codes as employees, especially those that relate to patron privacy and confidentiality. Volunteers may not make any statement or take any action which might significantly affect or obligate the library. Volunteers work under the direction of the Director or staff member appointed by the Director. The library reserves the right to terminate a volunteer’s working association with the library at any time, for any reason.

Volunteers must fill out a volunteer interest form. Volunteers will be interviewed to determine their interests, availability, levels of experience, and fit with the library’s assignments. Volunteer talents, experience, availability, and interests will be considered in job assignments. A volunteer may be asked to commit to specific work hours, in order to coordinate with and complement regular staffing. The number of volunteers will be determined by library needs. Parents of volunteers under the age of 18 must sign a statement of consent as part of the application.

There are four categories of volunteers at the Tuxedo Park Library:

• Adults over 18 years of age

• Youth between 14 and 18 years of age

• Youth under the age of 14 are accepted on a short-term project-oriented basis

• Court ordered volunteer service shall be for non-violent offenders only, and shall be at the discretion of the Director.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, October 8th, 2013 Revised by the Board of Trustees, November 12th, 2013

Individuals and institutions wishing to receive reproduced images from the collection of the Tuxedo Park Library must submit a request in writing. Fees may be associated with use of the image(s). Usage is predicated on the following:
1. Requestor must complete and submit a Licensing & Image Reproduction Request Form.
2. The permission granted is for a one-time use of the image, as indicated by the requestor on the Licensing & Image Reproduction Request Form. Subsequent usage must be requested in writing, and is subject to additional fees.
3. The requestor may not make any derivative copies of the image.
4. The image may not be loaned, sold or given to any commercial agency, person or organization.
5. The integrity of the image must be maintained. Use of the image within a context that is misleading or defamatory is not permitted.
6. In granting permission to the requestor, the Tuxedo Park Library does not surrender its own right to use the image or grant others permission to use them.
7. The use of the material in publication (in print or electronic form) complies with any donor agreements that may be attached to the materials.
8. The use of the material in publication (in print or electronic form) complies with copyright restrictions.
9. A copy of the published work containing the image must be given to the Tuxedo Park Library free of charge.
10. The image should be cited as follows: “Tuxedo Park Library, Tuxedo Park, NY.”
Fees:
1. $10 per image for not-for-profit institutions, personal use, private research and scholarly use (school report or dissertation).
2. $20 per image for use on a personal website or exhibition.
3. $50 per image for publication (in print or electronic form) in a book, journal, magazine or commercial website.
4. Fees cover cost of DVD, and delivery of item via US mail. Express delivery will incur additional cost.
5. Payment is due prior to release of images.
Copyright Statement:
Some requested works which are physically owned by the Tuxedo Park Library may be protected by copyright, trademark or related interests not associated with the Tuxedo Park Library. The responsibility for determining whether any such intangible rights exist, for obtaining all necessary permissions, and for guarding against the infringement of those rights that may be held elsewhere, remains with the requestor.

Please complete the form below Licensing & Image Reproduction Requests

Patron Conduct

In order to better serve the community, respect the rights of others, and promote a safe, comfortable, and secure environment for all, the Tuxedo Park Library asks the public to maintain a certain standard of conduct while on the premises. The following conduct is strongly discouraged, and may result in temporary or permanent dismissal from the premises:

1. Violation of the Computer Access Policy Agreement, particularly as it relates to the accessing of pornographic or otherwise objectionable content.
2. Firearms and other deadly weapons as defined by NYS Penal Law Section 265, other than when carried by a Certified Peace Officer, Police Officer or Federal Officer acting pursuant to their duties and when duly authorized, are NOT permitted on Library grounds.
3. Defacement or misuse of Library property, including but not limited to furniture, computers, photocopiers, printers, interior and exterior walls, doors, windows, stairs, grounds, rubbish bins, benches, bicycle rack, and library materials, including but not limited to books, magazines, DVDs, compact discs, cassettes, newspapers, computer software, games, toys, and puzzles.
4. Rude or disorderly conduct towards staff members or other patrons, including the use of profanity.
5. Screaming, yelling, running, climbing or jumping.
6. Improper or offensive personal hygiene.

We encourage our young patrons to play with the computer software, toys, games and puzzles available in the Children’s Room, but ask that caregivers be responsible for returning items to their proper location on the shelves.

In consideration of the rights of others, patrons are asked to be mindful of the following:

1. Use the front lobby or other unattended area for cell phone usage.
2. Proper hygiene is important.
3. Space is limited, so please be willing to share table space if necessary.
4. The Library is a community space, and as such will sometimes be loud and sometime be quiet. We attempt to maintain order, but there are times when the noise level may exceed that of more traditional libraries. We ask that patrons on both sides of that issue understand the needs of others.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees, March 14, 2007

Revised on January 11, 2014

Revised on February 11,2014

Temporary Amendment to the Library Patron Conduct Policy

The Tuxedo Park Library is committed to serving its community during hard times and good. The year 2020 has brought unprecedented challenges to our nation, state, and area of service.  To continue serving our patrons during this difficult time, while placing the health and safety of our community at the forefront, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the below Temporary Safety Practices Policy.

The board’s authority to adopt these measures is found in our charter, bylaws, New York Education Law Sections 255, 260, 226, 8 NYCRR 90.2, and Article 2 of the Not-for-profit corporation law.  We also consider it our duty to develop these measures to keep our services accessible at this time.

Staff at the Tuxedo Park Library have the authority to enforce these measures like any other of the Library’s Rules.  Concerns about this policy should be directed to Director, Diane Loomis. Thank you for honoring these measures, which are designed to keep our community safe, while allowing access to the library.

Tuxedo Park Library Temporary Safety Practices

Scope of Temporary Measures

The Tuxedo Park Library operates per relevant law and Executive Orders.  Therefore, the temporary practices in this Policy may be further modified as needed to conform with relevant Orders.

Activities

Until such a time as the library board votes to revoke this temporary policy the following limits on activities may be put into effect in varying degrees on site at the library:

• Limited access to public internet computer workstations.
• Limited in-person library programming.

Safety Practices

Until the board votes to revoke this temporary policy, the library will require all people on the premises to abide by the following safety practices:

• Dependent on current CDC and NYS guidance, any patron, visitor and/or staff may be required to wear a face covering inside the library. The current mask directive will be posted throughout the library.    
• Any individual under the age of two is not required to wear a face covering inside the library.
• Any individual who is unvaccinated for COVID-19 must maintain a distance of at least 6 ft. at all times, unless the safety of the core activity requires a shorter distance.

ADA

In the event any safety requirement is not practicable on the basis of a disability, please contact Director Diane Loomis to explore a reasonable accommodation.

Code of Conduct

Adherence to these practices shall be enforced as a requirement of the Library’s Code of Conduct until such time as this temporary policy is revoked.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on June 10, 2020

Amended on June 9, 2021

Amended on November 10, 2021

Tuxedo Park Library Computer Access Policy Agreement

Terms and Conditions for Use of the Tuxedo Park Library Network Services

When using the library’s computers, the patron agrees to abide by the following:

1. The Library’s computer stations and wireless network are intended for information gathering only. It is strictly prohibited to use the Library’s computers or wireless network for illegal or criminal purposes, or to seek access in unauthorized areas.
2. It is strictly prohibited to use the Library’s computers or wireless network to access content that is pornographic, obscene or of a prurient nature.
3. Users must respect all copyright laws and licensing agreements pertaining to software, files, text, images or other resources obtained via the computers or wireless network. Users whose conduct violates federal, state or local laws will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
4. It is not acceptable to use the Tuxedo Park Library’s computers or wireless network in such a way as to interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment. Such interference or disruption includes, but is not limited to: distribution of unsolicited advertising; transmission of threatening, obscene, or harassing materials; propagation of computer worms or viruses; or use of the network to make unauthorized entry to other computers, information, or communication devices or resources.

The Director will review alleged violations of this policy on a case-by-case basis. Violations will result in revocation of computer and/or wireless network privileges at the Library.  Suspect violations of this policy may be reported to the police.

To fulfill its objective of providing public access to information of all types in a wide range of formats, the Tuxedo Park Library provides access to Internet resources. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information. However, some information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated, or offensive to some individuals. In providing access, the Tuxedo Park Library subscribes to the principles set forth in the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association.

The Tuxedo Park Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet or the wireless network, and cannot be held responsible for its content or accuracy. As with other library related materials and databases, restriction of access is the responsibility of the user or the user’s parent or legal guardian.

Tuxedo Park Library strives to offer community access to new and emerging technologies to inspire creativity and learning. This policy establishes guidelines for the public use of the Library’s 3D printer.  The 3D printer can be used to make three dimensional objects with a design that is uploaded from a digital computer file.  This service is not intended for production or manufacturing, and the Library reserves the right to refuse to print large numbers of identical objects. The use of the printer requires a valid Tuxedo Park Library card.

The 3D printer may be used only for lawful practices. Library users may not create material that is:

• Prohibited by local, state or federal law
• Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses a threat to the well-being of others, including weapons
• Obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the library environment
• Regulated or requires a license to use or carry
• In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. By submitting content, the patron agrees to assume all responsibility for and shall hold the Library harmless in all matters related to patented, trademarked or copyrighted materials.

Additionally, the Library reserves the right to deny any 3D print request. The Library is not responsible for any damage, loss or security of data arising from the use of its computers or network, nor for the functionality or quality of the content produced on the 3D printer.

 Approved by the Board of Trustees on April 13, 2022

Please complete the 3D Printer Policy Acceptance form below