The bulletin board is provided as a public service to the people of Orangeburg for the posting of events or services that may be of interest to others.
- Only not for profit flyers will be posted.
- Flyers may not be political in nature.
- No petitions will be posted.
- All materials to be posted must be given to the Director for approval before being posted.
Board Approved 3/2017
The mission of our children’s room is to guide young patrons toward a love of reading in a welcoming, safe environment. We seek to provide access to children’s materials and programs while making information available to children and their caregivers for the purposes of enhancing their education.
The Children’s Room of the Orangeburg Library is hereby dedicated to the exclusive use of library patrons who fall within the following categories only:
- 1. Patrons of the library who are either age fourteen (14) or under the age of fourteen (14) years;
- Patrons of the library who are over the age of fourteen (14) years and are accompanying a child under the age of fourteen (14) years who is utilizing library
- Adults and students who are using materials or tutoring in the Children’s Room. It is the further policy of the Orangeburg Library that any individual who does not fall within the above designated categories will not be allowed to use the Children’s Room and will be required to leave the Children’s Room.
The safety and well-being of our youngest patrons is a concern of the library, therefore children are not to be left unattended to utilize materials or attend a program. No library staff member is authorized to accept responsibility for the supervision or care for any minor child left alone or unattended at the Library at any time. Parents/caregivers are responsible for their child’s safety and behavior while in the library. The library assumes neither responsibility nor liability for the actions, care, supervision or safety of minors.
Board Approved 4/19/21
The library’s internet access is intended primarily as an information resource and allows users to connect to resources on our website and outside the library. Information of the internet may be reliable and current or it may be inaccurate, out-of-date or unavailable. The library cannot guarantee that patrons who use the internet will have privacy in their communications and other
internet uses. Internet access is available on public computers or patrons may use a personal
laptop to connect by wireless connection. Non-library computers may not be plugged into the
library’s wired network.
Staff can assist library users in getting started on the internet. Library patrons use the internet at
their own discretion. The internet contains materials that may be considered controversial or
inappropriate. Parents are expected to monitor and supervise their children’s use of the internet.
The library’s staff is not in a position to provide this monitoring and supervision. Parents who
would rather their children did not have access to certain materials are responsible for advising
their children. The library is responsible for providing equal access to library materials and
services for all users.
When using a public computer, please abide by the following rules:
- Internet use is limited to one hour guaranteed daily, with two additional hours granted in 15-minute increments, so long as there is no one waiting.
- The computer cannot be idle for more than 10 minutes – it will automatically boot you off. If you need to leave the workstation, click on the session clock and choose “Hide my screen”, which will give you up to 10 minutes to be away.
- There is a nominal charge for printouts that is set by the leasing company. Printouts can only be done on paper provided by the leasing company. To print, go to the printer kiosk located next the Circulation desk. Detailed instructions on how to print your document are there. Print jobs are deleted after 24 hours.
- Information may not be saved to the hard drive. Please bring a USB flash drive if you wish to save work. The librarian has a flash drive you can borrow to facilitate emailing work to yourself. The library is not responsible for lost files or “glitches” with documents.
- Users are not permitted to modify the installed hardware or software. Patrons may not change settings on the computer or set up shortcuts.• Viewing sexually explicit material or other inappropriate material (including Adult Friend Find, XXXMatch.com, and pornography) is strictly prohibited (NYS Penal Code 245.11).
- Misuse or abuse of computers, or refusal to abide by staff requests, will result in immediate suspension of Internet privileges.
- Users may not misrepresent themselves or use the libraries computer to make unauthorized entry into any other computer or network.
- It is not advisable to use a credit card to pay for items you’re ordering at our Internet stations.
- Maximum of 2 people at a workstation at one time.
- No food or drink is allowed by the computers. Please keep gum away from the computers as well. A violator of these guidelines may be barred from entry into the library at the discretion of the library director or their designee.
Purpose
The purpose of our Collection Development Policy is to provide guidelines for the selection, acquisition and withdrawal of materials in accordance with our mission. Orangeburg Library seeks to obtain and maintain materials with both historical significance and lasting value while simultaneously acquiring contemporary items to support our role as a community resource for education and entertainment.
The responsibility of selecting such materials is delegated by the Board of Trustees to the Director and under the Director’s supervision to the professional staff.
Intellectual Freedom of Materials
We seek to provide free access to all of the materials in our collection. No item is labeled to indicate opinion. The Library’s decision to purchase an item does not in any way constitute endorsement of the material’s content or opinion.
Collection Overview
The Orangeburg Library seeks to acquire the broadest possible range of items appropriate for our size and the community we serve. We believe our collection serves the needs of the general public and reflects the ethnic, racial and cultural diversity of our community. The Library has access, through the Ramapo Catskill Library System, to the collections of the 46 other libraries in the System, to the academic libraries in our area and ultimately, through inter-library loans, to any library that owns materials our patrons want or need. In addition to the materials categorized below, we annually purchase museum passes that allow patrons of all ages to learn, explore and enjoy educational resources outside our library.
Adult materials
Our adult collection contains hardcover and paperback fiction and non-fiction as well as large print in both categories. We have a separate collection of mysteries, science fiction and fantasy, graphic novels and books in other languages. The audio visual items include DVDs, Blu-Rays, music and books on CD, video games and eBooks. We have many periodicals that are available for check out. We subscribe to several newspapers that can be read at our facility. Our website provides access to several reference databases. We have a separate local history section. These materials are not available for loan but for examination at our facility. The Adult Reference librarians are responsible for maintaining these collections.
Teen materials
Our teen collection is for students from grades 6-12. It contains fiction and non-fiction in hardcover and paperback as well as audio-visual items, magazines and games. The Head of Youth Services is responsible for maintaining this collection.
Children’s materials
Our children’s collection serves children from birth through fifth grade and their families with fiction and non-fiction picture books, easy readers, young readers and chapter book formats. There are also encyclopedias, reference databases, DVDs, music and books on CD, video games and eBooks. The Head of Youth Services is responsible for maintaining this collection.
Material Selection Procedures
The Director, working with the Board of Trustees and staff, determines the allocation of funds and then assigns staff the responsibility for acquiring new materials for all collections in the library. The acquisition and maintenance of material, whether purchased or donated, is based upon the general criteria listed below:
- Popular demand
- Resources supporting our local school system curriculum
- Relevance to community needs and preferences
- Complementing our existing collection and like materials on the subject matter
- Production quality
- Positive published reviews
- Literacy and artistic merit
- Representation of a variety of opinions on issues
- Suitability of physical format for our library
- Cost and availability
- Local authors
Library staff members rely on various tools including professional library review journals in both print and electronic versions. Among the above criteria, the presence or absence of literacy and artistic merit will enjoy particular weight in the decision making process. Patron requests, staff recommendations and promotional materials will also be reviewed. Materials in high demand may be purchased in quantity based upon the judgment of the librarians. Materials are also purchased to replace items that were lost or removed due to wear and tear.
Material Removal
The Orangeburg Library continuously reviews its materials and items may be removed based upon the following conditions:
- Poor condition or damage to the item
- Lack of circulation
- Space restrictions
- Inaccurate, outdated content• No longer relevant to community needs
- More copies than needed
Challenges – Request for reconsideration of material
Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. It is a democratic right and not to be taken lightly by anyone who enjoys such freedom. Our library strives to provide a diverse collection which represents a variety of viewpoints and does not take a position on materials. We welcome expressions of opinions from our patrons concerning our materials. If a patron feels a piece from our collection does not seem to follow the criteria above, he or she may complete a “Request for Reconsideration” form. Once the form is completed, the request will be considered carefully by the Director. Once a decision is reached, a written response will be sent. If the response is unsatisfying, the patron may then send a request to the Board who will respond after the next regular meeting. Before any item is removed, the librarian shall be given an opportunity to explain why the item merits retention.
Board Approved 11/21/2022
The Staff Areas and Library offices are secure areas of the library defined as: The second floor offices located immediately beyond the second floor bathrooms and the staff areas behind the Circulation Desk, the Reference Desk and The Children’s Desk.
No members of the public are permitted in staff areas with the exclusion of current Trustees, Volunteers with supervision from library personnel (who must be signed into the Volunteer Log at the Circulation Desk) and Friends of the Library likewise accompanied by Library Personnel.
Unaccompanied contractors (plumbers, electricians, fire inspectors, etc.) are not permitted in staff areas. The contracted cleaners would be the only exception to this policy. Staff members’ friends, former trustees and former employees are not permitted in these areas.
Board Approved 11/21/2022
The Orangeburg Library Board of Trustees recognizes that volunteers are a valuable resource for the Library. Volunteers enhance, rather than replace, adequate staffing. Library volunteers are coordinated by librarian staff and must be at least 13 years of age. Each volunteer must complete “Library Volunteer Application.”
Volunteers may be interviewed to determine interest, availability, and experience. Volunteers are bound by the rules contained in all Library policies and guidelines, especially those that relate to patron privacy and confidentiality. Orangeburg Library has the right to terminate a volunteer’s working association with the Library at any time.
Volunteers must be scheduled in advance and placed on the Smartermail calendar. Volunteers must sign in, indicating their name, organization or school, time in, time out, and where they are working (i.e. shelf reading 800’s, Adult room). Badges on lanyards designating the volunteer as such will be provided to volunteers when they arrive, and will be returned when they sign out.
Board approved 3/17
Orangeburg Library applies lost or damage charges to maintain its collection for public use. Customers who return materials in a damaged condition as determined by the Library Director or delegate are responsible for costs if the library determines the item can no longer circulate. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for fees associated with a minor child’s account.
The prices charged for lost or damaged items are in the catalog record and are determined by professional journals, bibliographic sources, the professional staff or our contracted vendors. The library does not accept prices from online booksellers such as Amazon, or other suppliers, nor do we accept replacement copies. If a book or other item is no longer available for purchase or the library no longer needs that particular item for the collection, the payment allows the librarian to make a different purchase based on professional selection principles and the benefit of the community. The library does not issue refunds for paid items later found by patrons after the transaction.
Unpaid lost material or damaged charges result in a loss of library privileges, which are restored, once payment is received. Every effort is made to contact patrons informing them of the pending charges. Damaged items are kept in our office for review, unless the condition of the item could harm staff by introducing mold, bacteria or other undesirable elements into the environment. Items are discarded after one month regardless of whether or not the patron has discussed the situation with staff.
Board Approved 11/21/2022
The Orangeburg Library offers Notary services for the benefit of the community. The following guidelines will be observed in the provision of Notary service:
- It is recommended that patrons call the library prior to ensure that a Notary is available when they plan to visit.
- 2Notary service is on a first-come, first-served basis, at the availability of staff.
- Notary service is provided free of charge. Please do not offer to pay or tip notaries.
- Valid, current (government-issued) photo identification is required for everyone requesting notary service e.g. Driver’s license, passport.
- Notary service is limited to ten (10) pages per person, per visit.
- Documents in any language other than English cannot be notarized.
- A Notary and the person seeking notarization must be able to communicate directly with each other. Library Notaries are not permitted to make use of a translator in a transaction with a Notary patron.
- In accordance with New York State law, certain public or legal documents cannot be copied and notarized. Examples are United States birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, driver’s license, passport.
- If a witness is required (in addition to notarization), patrons must be accompanied by their own witness.
- Notary service is not available for closings, deeds, wills, living wills, power of attorney, divorce, depositions, immigration, or codicils.
- Notaries will not provide service if the patron, document, or circumstances of the request for Notary service raise any issue of authenticity, ambiguity, doubt, or uncertainty for the Library. In the event, Notaries may, at their sole discretion, decline to provide Notary service. If you disagree with the decision of the Notary, please contact the library director.
- Information on other libraries that offer notary options can be obtained at our Circulation desk.
Board Approved 11/21/2022
All patrons are entitled to equal access to our facility and services. For those with disabilities, the ability to function in public may depend upon being accompanied by a service animal. The law protect the rights of those individuals to fully participate in public life with their service animals with them. The Civil Rights Bureau of the Attorney General’s office has provided guidelines to help everyone understand service animals and the necessary accommodations.
While the library does not permit pets in our facility, a service animal is a working animal, not a pet. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability”. Dogs that satisfy this definition are considered service animals regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government, or any other entity.
Under the ADA, New York and all applicable law, businesses and facilities that serve the public may not discriminate against individuals with disabilities. In addition, they must permit service animals in all areas of the facility. We may not impose any fees but may charge a fee if a service animal causes damage as long as we charge the same fee to nondisabled patrons for the same damage. We are not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal and are not required to provide food or a special location.
Documentation is not required. We cannot ask any information about the person’s disability and may not demand proof that the animal is certified. However, if it is not readily apparent that a dog is a service animal, we may only ask (1) if the animal is required because of a disability, and (2) what work the animal has been trained to perform. Although it may be tempting to undertake more aggressive questions, these are the only questions that are permitted. A supervisor should ask these questions if the need arises. Please contact the supervisor in charge should a situation arise where these questions need to be posed to a patron.
Only in very limited circumstances may a service animal be excluded, such as if the animal is out of control or not housebroken and the animal’s handler does not control it. The ADA requires that service animals be under the control of the handler at all times. In most instances, the handler will be the individual with a disability or a third party who accompanies the individual with a disability. The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability prevents use of these devices. In that case, the person must use voice, signal, or other effective means to maintain control of the animal. For example, a person who uses a wheelchair may use a long, retractable leash to allow her service animal to pick up or retrieve items. They may not allow the dog to wander away from her and must maintain control of the dog, even if it is retrieving an item at a distance from her. Or, a returning veteran who has PTSD and has great difficulty entering unfamiliar spaces may have a dog that is trained to enter a space, check to see that no threats are there, and come back and signal that it is safe to enter. The dog must be off leash to do its job, but may be leashed at other times. Under control also means that a service animal should not be allowed to bark repeatedly in a lecture hall, theater, library, or other quiet place. However, if a dog barks just once, or barks because someone has provoked it, this would not mean that the dog is out of control.
If that is the situation, please contact the supervisor in charge to handle speaking to the patron. Cameras are in place for the safety of employees and patrons alike and may capture such behavior.
Board Approved 4/19/21
The Orangeburg Library welcomes public use of the meeting room. The Meeting Room Policy establishes guidelines and procedures for use of the room. Usage of the Library’s Meeting Room by any individual or organization signifies acceptance of the terms of this policy. Issues not covered by this policy will be decided by the Library Director.
General Guidelines
- Orangeburg Library events will take precedence in the scheduling of the Meeting Room. The Library strives to share the meeting room with local community groups for informational, educational, recreational, intellectual, charitable, civic and cultural meetings. Organizations/adults 16 and older may book the space in advance, subject to the library’s calendar, must provide a phone number for the primary contact person, and are expected to sign in at the front desk. Organizations must also fill out an application form prior to their meeting.
- The conference room may be used for personal study and/or tutoring during specific hours when schedule/space allows.
- Library events and organizations may use the Meeting Room during regular library hours. The meeting room must be vacated 15 minutes before closing.
- The Library cannot be identified as a sponsor. Neither the name, address or phone number of the Library can be used in any promotional advertising or as the official headquarters of the organization.
- Use of the meeting room does not imply endorsement, support, or co-sponsorship by the Library for the activities that take place in the meeting room nor the beliefs or views of the groups sponsoring the events.
- If a meeting must be canceled, the library should be notified at least 24 hours in advance of the date. Failure to notify may result in cancellation of future reservations for that organization.
- The Library reserves the right to impose limitations on the frequency of use of the Meeting Room by an organization.
- The room user(s) hold the Library harmless from any claim for any injury, loss or damage caused by any act whatsoever.
- All organizations are expected to clean the premises before leaving and return the area to the state in which it was found.
- Furniture cannot be moved without permission from the Library Director.
- The Meeting Room has a maximum occupancy of 15 people.
- All individuals and groups using the room shall adhere to the Library’s Patron Behavior Policy.
Approved by the Board of Trustees 6/2018
This policy on public behavior has been created and adopted in an effort to ensure a safe, orderly and comfortable environment in which all library patrons can use the library’s resources most effectively. The following rules are posted for the comfort and protection of all library users and staff. Violations of the rules may result in loss of library privileges and/or referral to law enforcement.
This list provides examples only and is not exhaustive or exclusive:
- Selling, distributing, consuming or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverages or controlled substance is prohibited. Drinking of non-alcoholic beverages is permitted in the library, except near the computers. To prevent damage to our materials, a lid should be kept on all beverage containers when patrons are not drinking them. Consumption of food is prohibited in all public areas of the library, with the exception of meetings held in the meeting rooms and receptions approved by the library.
- Use of tobacco products including e-cigarettes is prohibited throughout the library building and on library property, within 100 feet of entrances and exits. NYS Public Health Law 1399.
- Those who steal, damage or deface library materials or property may be prosecuted. Parents are liable for damage done by a child under the age of 18.
- Customers are required to comply with the library’s policies and procedures on computer use and the Internet.
- Library materials are not to be taken into restrooms and improper use of these facilities, including, but not limited to, bathing, shaving, hair trimming and laundering is prohibited.
- Blocking the entryways, vestibules or a staircase is prohibited. Disruptive groups congregating inside or outside the library will be required to disperse.
- Blocking of aisles with personal items or leaving such items unattended is prohibited. The Library assumes no responsibility for unattended items. Personal property will not be held at the Circulation or Reference Desks and may not be stored or left. Unattended personal property may be reported to the local police department at the discretion of the staff. Items left in the library will be kept in the lost and found for 30 days and then disposed of.
- Threatening, harassing or intimidating language or behavior will result in immediate expulsion from the library and possible legal action.
- Parents and caregivers are responsible for the behavior, safety and supervision of their children at all times. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by a responsible caregiver at all times.
- Animals, other than service animals, are not permitted in the library, unless as a part of a program authorized by the Library Director.
- Customers sleeping in the library may be awakened by library staff if there is concern for the customer’s health or well-being, or if the customer’s sleep is disturbing others.
- Creating a disturbance by making noise, talking loudly, whistling, singing, using profanity, running or engaging in other disruptive conduct is prohibited. This includes stalking, prolonged staring at or following another.
- Shirts and shoes must be worn in the library. Offensive body odor due to poor personal hygiene or overpowering perfume or cologne that causes a nuisance or reasonably interferes with library use by other customers or staff is prohibited.
- Cell phones should be set to no-ring (vibrate) or turned off when entering the library. Customers may quietly answer phones inside the library, but must take all conversations to the lobby or outside.
- Taking surveys, circulating petitions, and similar activities are permitted in the library only when authorized by the Library Director.
- Permission must be obtained from the Director or his/her designee prior to taking photographs, videotaping, or doing similar types of filming in the Library.
- Moving furniture without the express consent of the library staff or using furniture in any manner that may damage the furniture is not allowed.
- Bicycles, sports equipment or large audio equipment may not be brought into the library.
- Possessing, selling, displaying or using any dangerous weapon (Penal Law Section 265) upon library premises or any other object in such a manner that it may be considered a weapon is not permitted.
Behavior which violates library policy, interferes with the use of the library by others or interferes with staff in the conduct of their duties is not permitted. Customers engaging in such behavior may be asked to stop the behavior and/or they may be asked to leave the building. The police may be called and/or the customer’s library privileges may be revoked. Unlawful activities will promptly be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Staff is authorized to require a person to leave the library for the day if in the judgment of the staff member the customer’s behavior is disorderly or disruptive. If the behavior is repeated or severe, staff will follow the below policy:
Depending on the severity of the offense, the Library will institute discipline ranging from verbal warning, through denial of specific privileges (such as use of computers), and finally to denial of the right to use the Library (banning) for a specified time period, often a year. In the most severe cases (threatening, harassing, intimidating, using violence), banning will be indefinite. In the event of inappropriate behavior by a minor, the child’s parent or guardian will be notified by the Library, usually after the second offense. Staff members shall fill out an Incident Report of the behavior problem and forward it to the Director. When a patron is banned from the Library for a time longer than one week, a letter of explanation is sent to him or her. In the case of a minor child under 18 years of age, a copy of the letter is also sent to his or her parent or guardian. When deemed appropriate by the Library Director, copies of the Incident Reports and/or copies of letters shall be forwarded to the Orangetown Police Department or other relevant law enforcement agency. In the event that the patron seems to use more than one library in the Ramapo Catskill Library System, copies of the Incident Reports and/or copies of letters may also be shared with one or more of the RCLS libraries. If a banned individual enters the Orangeburg Library before the return date listed in the ban letter, police will be called.
The Director’s written determination may be appealed to the Library Board, if the individual aggrieved files a written notice of appeal within 10 days after he/she receives the determination. Such notice shall be filed with: both the Library Director and the Library Board President, c/o Orangeburg Library, 20 S. Greenbush Rd., Orangeburg, NY, 10962. The Board shall hold a hearing within 30 days after the notice has been filed. The appellant shall be notified at least 10 days before the hearing. Within 30 days of the completion of the hearing, the Board shall issue, via certified mail to the appellant, a written decision stating its reasons. These decisions are final.
Board approved 3/2023
