COMPUTER USE POLICY

Bethlehem Area Public Library is a provider of limited, but free, internet connection. All users are expected to use this internet connection legally and responsibly. You may not use the internet connection to violate any federal, state, or local laws. This internet connection may not be used to transmit or receive illegal, harmful, fraudulent, malicious, or copyrighted material, unsolicited email (spam), pornography, adult material, or to harass, bully, or insult others.

Users of his internet connection assume all associated risks and agree to indemnify and hold  harmless Bethlehem Area Public Library and its employees or vendors or contractors for any unintended information disclosure. Using another person’s card (even a family member) is not permitted. Drinks without lids are not permitted in this area. Tampering with any library equipment, or refusing to cooperate with library staff on library policies, will result in loss of library privileges. If you do not agree to these terms, you are not authorized to use this workstation.

TIME LIMITS:
Cardholders: Session: 4 hrs. per day
Visitor Pass: Session: 1 hr per day
Express pass: Sessions: 30 minutes per day.

Sessions are extended only if computer stations are open.

ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR POLICY

Purpose
The Bethlehem Area Public Library has established this Behavior Policy to ensure that library facilities are safe, welcoming and provide equitable access to materials and services for all library users. Appropriate personal library conduct includes activities such as reading, studying, properly using library materials and computers in a manner which does not interfere with others who are using the public library in this fashion.

Overview and Definitions
Appropriate behavior is expected of all users of the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s facilities, as is associated with the normal use of a public library while in the building or on the grounds. Violations of the Behavior Policy will result in increasing levels of action, ranging from a staff issued warning, to asking the patron to leave the library for the remainder of the day, to the patron’s temporary or permanent loss of all library privileges, to legal action including criminal prosecution. The level of action shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Behavior Rules
Use of the library materials and services should not disturb other patrons. Library materials and services are available for educational as well as entertainment uses, and patrons should keep in mind that these resources are in the library to be shared by all. Inappropriate behavior is considered to be behavior which creates excessive noise levels or disturbances, interferes with other patrons’ use of the library, and/or damages library property. Inappropriate behavior would include, but not be limited to, the following conduct or behaviors.

  • Loud, disruptive conversations, including shouting
  • Use of personal electronic equipment at a volume that can be heard by others
  • Use of profane and/or abusive language
  • Sleeping, napping or loitering
  • Engaging in any behavior that the reasonable library user would find to be disruptive, harassing, or threatening in nature to library users or staff, including stalking, prolonged staring at, or following another with the intent to annoy, or intentionally behaving in a manner that could reasonably be expected to annoy or disturb other patrons
  • Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or controlled substance
  • Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a violation of any federal, state or local ordinance
  • Smoking or other use of tobacco anywhere, except in designated areas outside of the premises
  • Leaving children under the age of 7 unattended on library premises
  • Engaging in any sexual contact, activities, or conduct
  • Selling, soliciting, surveying, distributing written materials, panhandling or canvassing for any political, charitable or religious purposes inside a library building, doorway or vestibule without
    prior authorization by the library director
  • Eating, or drinking from containers without lids in non-designated areas
  • Taking or making cell phone calls at a location other than in the library foyers or outside of the building
  • Not wearing shoes or shirt within the library premises
  • Entering or remaining upon library premises with a bodily hygiene so offensive that it constitutes a nuisance to others
  • Bringing in more than two carryall bags. No bag may be brought into the library that exceeds the size of a standard backpack, briefcase or canvas tote bag. Belongings such as bedding, sleeping bags and changes of clothing may not be brought into the library or stored inside the library
  • Interfering with the safe and free passage of the library staff or patrons on the premises including, but not limited to the placement of objects in hallways, aisles, flooring, or elsewhere, in a manner that impedes the free passage of such persons about the library. Unattended items may be removed from the library premises if they reasonably appear to be abandoned or have been left unattended for 30 minutes or more.
  • Bringing any animal into the library except for service animals, animals for a scheduled library program or with special permission from a library director
  • Improperly using library restrooms or facilities for purposes such as bathing, shaving, laundering or changing clothes
  • Adults not accompanied by a child shall not use the children’s restrooms
  • Adults not accompanied by a child shall not loiter in the children’s room if the adult is not actively reading, studying, and/or using library materials from the children’s room
  • Adults not accompanied by a teenager shall not sit or loiter in the teen area if the adult is not actively reading, studying, and/or using library materials from the teen area
  • Violating the library’s rules for acceptable use of the internet and public computers
  • Possessing, selling, distributing, displaying, or using any dangerous weapon. A weapon shall include, but not be limited to, a knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle, and any other tool instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury
  • Engaging in any physically intimidating or assault-like behavior, including making any threats of violence or unlawful activities.
  • The library has a policy of zero tolerance for threats or acts of violence. Any person engaging in such behaviors will be immediately ejected from the library

Library Response to Violations of Behavior Policy
Any person who violates the behavior policy will be handled in a professional and courteous manner by staff, but the degree of the violation will determine the response. Staff is instructed to call 9-1-1 immediately in response to any behavior that is deemed dangerous. Staff will call the police for any behavior that is in violation of federal, state or local ordinances. Staff will call the police if a person or group of persons is asked to leave the library and they refuse to leave and/or become difficult with the staff member. For most other inappropriate behavior, one warning will be given. Continued violations will result in patron being asked to leave the library for the day. A serious violation or repeated violations, or a violation where the police are called, may result in longer exclusions from the library up to permanent banning from the library. An individual who is banned from the library may be criminally charged with trespassing if they return to library property during the term of the ban.

Any individual who is banned and whose library privileges have been revoked, may request to have the decision reviewed by the Board of Directors of the Library. The request must be made in writing and submitted to the Library Director and the President of the Board of Directors of the Bethlehem Area Public Library, 11 W. Church St., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18018, within 30 days of the alleged offense.

Adopted by the Board of Bethlehem Area Public Library, May 2, 2011

Meeting Room Policy

Public Meeting Room Policies and Procedures
These regulations establish policy and procedures for the use of the Bethlehem Area Public Library
public meeting rooms. The Library grants permission to use its meeting rooms to members of the public
who fulfill the requirements specified in these regulations, in accordance with the Library’s mission and
to maintain good order of the Library.
Procedures
1. Library public meeting rooms are maintained primarily for use by the Library to accomplish its mission. If a meeting room is not scheduled for a Library related function, members of the public may apply to use the rooms. Each event request is considered on an individual basis according to the overall number of pending requests, staffing implications and Library priorities.

2. The Library provides meeting rooms for members of the public on an equitable basis regardless of beliefs or affiliations or groups requesting the rooms.

3. All groups must complete an Application for Public Use of the Bethlehem Area Public Library meeting rooms. Forms are available on the Library website whose address is www.bapl.org.

4. Completed applications must be submitted online to the Library Administration Office. Applications are kept on file and must be updated annually. The Library Director or Assistant Director in the Director’s absence will review and approve or deny all applications based on the Public Meeting Room Policies.

5. The Library may deny the use of a meeting room to an applicant or terminate use of a meeting room, if in the Library’s opinion:

a. The purpose of the meeting or activity is illegal or potentially hazardous;
b. The meeting presents health or security risks;
c. The conduct of the meeting interferes with the functioning of the Library;
d. The applicant has not provided satisfactory adult sponsorship and supervision for the
meeting; and/or
e. The applicant has failed to comply with these or other Library regulations.

6. Any applicant denied use of a public meeting room may appeal the denial in writing to the Library Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will review the application and respond in writing to the applicant.

7. Reservations are on a first‐come, first‐serve basis and are not guaranteed until payment for room rental is received (see fee section below).

8. Meeting room reservations must be made at least one week in advance. The Library will use its
best efforts to accommodate requests made with less than one week in advance.

9. Failure to notify the Library of a cancellation may result in the loss of the privilege to use
meeting rooms.

10. It is the responsibility of the applicant, the individual who submits the written request for a
meeting room reservation, to serve as the authorized representative of the group and to ensure
the safety and security of the attendees and the Library facility, as well as ensuring that the
attendees observe the regulations.

11. The Library requires adult sponsorship for any meeting room use involving persons under the
age of 17. The applicant and adult sponsor must expressly agree on the application form that
the adult sponsor will attend and supervise the meeting, and that the adult sponsor will accept
responsibility for, and will reimburse the Library for any damage caused by the groups or by
members of the group to the meeting room or to the Library. No attendee will be admitted to
the meeting room until the adult sponsor has arrived. The adult sponsor must be present at all
times.

12. All groups shall leave the meeting room in the same condition as it was at the beginning of the
meeting. If damage to the room, its furnishing, or equipment occurs during the meeting, the
Library may require the applicant to pay for damages. If the applicant is required to pay for
damages, the Library Director or Assistant Director will assess the reasonable cost of repairing
the damages caused during the meeting and will notify the applicant of the damage assessment.
The applicant shall reimburse the Library for the damages by paying the assessed amount to the
Library Administration office within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of the damage
assessment. The Library shall deny use of meeting rooms until the applicant pays the assessed
amount.

13. Permission to use the Library in no way constitutes an endorsement by the Library or its Board
of Trustees of the policies or beliefs of the organization or individual using the facilities. No
advertisement or announcement implying such endorsement is permitted. All applicants must
use the correct name of the Library (Bethlehem Area Public Library) in all publicity and please
make it clear the Library is NOT the sponsor of the meeting.

14. The name or address of the Library may not be used as the official address or headquarters of
any individual, group, or organization.

Fees
1. The fee schedule is approved by the Library Board of Trustees. There are three categories in the
fee schedule: nonprofit with proof of 501C3 and Pennsylvania sales tax exemption, nonprofit,
and other groups.

2. Payment must accompany reservation. The meeting room will not be reserved until the fee is
paid. Refunds will only be given where five business days prior notice of a meeting room
cancellation is provided to the Library Administration Office or where the meeting rooms
become unavailable.

3. No fees will be charged for Library‐sponsored programs.

4. Fee schedule:
a. Nonprofit organization with proof of 501C3 and exemption of sales tax information not charging attendees a fee‐ $30.00 up to 4 hours; $ 7.50 each additional hour.
b. Nonprofit organization without proof of 501C3 and exemption of sales tax information not charging attendees a fee‐ $ 30.00 plus $ 1.80 sales tax or $31.80 total for up to 4 hours; each additional hour $7.95 including tax.
c. All other groups, including for profit business groups, nonprofit organizations that will be charging attendees a fee, and private parties‐ $ 100 for up to 4 hours, tax included. Each additional hour is $25, tax included.

 

Room Rules
1. Smoking is not permitted in any public meeting room. The Library is a smoke‐free property.

2. Screens and ceiling projectors are available in the Laros meeting rooms. The Library is not responsible for the operation or set‐up of the projectors. Contact Administrative Office during office hours for more information regarding use.

3. Use of public meeting rooms when the Library is normally closed is prohibited. Unless previously scheduled otherwise, meetings must end 15 minutes before the Library’s closing time to allow for cleanup, and ability to close the Library on time.

4. Approval to serve light refreshments in the public meeting rooms is granted. The applicant is responsible for clean-up.

5. All persons requesting the use of Library facilities and meeting rooms understand and acknowledge that they are guests of the Library and able to use Library facilities at the discretion of the Library.

6. All applicants requesting to use Library facilities and meeting rooms agree to abide by Library policies and all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

7. The Library is not responsible for theft of or damage to property brought into the Library or a public meeting room.

8. Prior written approval of the Library must be obtained before bringing any additional equipment or furniture into the Library or any public meeting room, laptops excepted.

9. Authorized Library staff may enter and remain in a meeting room at any time during a scheduled meeting or event. The Library reserves the right to attend any meeting held in its facilities (except executive session of governmental bodies) to ensure that no unlawful activities occur on Library premises.

Amended by the Bethlehem Area Public Library Board of Trustees
April 2, 2012
Effective May 1, 2012

Questions? Comments?

We strive to be a welcoming place for healthy child development, parent and community involvement, and life-long literacy beginning at birth. Let us hear from you if you have any questions or comments about BAPL and its services.