PRIVILEGES & POLICIES
CODE OF CONDUCT
1. Respect for Others
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Interactions must be mutual. Stop if someone including staff indicates they do not wish to engage.
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Harassment, intimidation, staring, or following others is not allowed.
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Unwanted photography or video recording of patrons or staff is prohibited.
2. Behavior and Language
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Obscene, abusive, or profane language is not allowed.
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Threatening behavior or gestures are not tolerated.
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Keep noise to a reasonable level. Use headphones when playing audio.
3. Library Property
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Damaging, defacing, or stealing library property is strictly prohibited.
4. Substances and Hygiene
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Alcohol is prohibited, except at approved library events.
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No smoking, vaping, or use of tobacco products inside the library.
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Maintain personal hygiene that does not interfere with others’ use of the library.
5. Food and Beverages
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Food may only be consumed in designated areas.
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Drinks must be in covered, spill-proof containers.
6. Animals
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Only service animals, as defined by the ADA, are allowed.
7. Additional Policies
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The library is not responsible for lost, stolen, or unattended personal belongings. Patrons must keep
their belongings with them at all times.
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Solicitation of any kind is not permitted on library premises.
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Patrons must obey all posted signage and follow directions from library staff.
Library staff are authorized to:
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Request that disruptive behavior stop immediately.
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Ask individuals to leave the premises.
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Contact law enforcement if necessary.
Adopted by the Borough of Totowa Public Library Board of Trustees – June 24, 2020
Updated – May 28, 2025
FILMING & PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY
To maintain a safe, respectful, and distraction-free environment for all patrons and staff, the following policy governs all filming, video recording, and photography within the Borough of Totowa Public Library:
1. Respect Patron and Staff Privacy
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Filming, photographing, or recording any patron or staff member without their express permission is strictly prohibited.
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Photographing or filming minors is not permitted without written parental or guardian consent.
2. Library Approval Required
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All commercial, media, promotional, or organized filming must be approved in advance by library administration.
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Use of tripods, lighting equipment, microphones, or similar gear is not allowed without prior written approval.
3. No Disruption to Library Use
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Filming or photography must not disrupt library operations, programs, or services.
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Activities should not disturb other patrons or interfere with staff performing their duties.
4. Enforcement
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Library staff may ask any individual to stop filming or photographing.
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Staff may request deletion of unauthorized images or recordings.
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Violators may be asked to leave the premises or be reported to law enforcement.
For permission or questions, please speak with a staff member at the front desk or contact the Library Director.
Adopted by the Borough of Totowa Public Library Board of Trustees, May 28, 2025
INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSINGS
The Borough of Totowa Public Library is closed at the discretion of the Board of Trustee President and Director of the library. They will also decide when the weather has improved sufficiently to reopen the library.
Please call ahead (973-790-3265 X10) or check our Twitter Feed, also posted on this website's home page, before coming to the library to be sure that the library is open.
All overddue video fines will be waived for the days the library are closed due to inclement weather.
PHOTO RELEASE POLICY
By selecting YES, permission is granted to the Borough of Totowa and The Borough of Totowa Public Library to use any photographs in any Borough of Totowa Public Library promotional material (e.g., brochures, website, newspaper press). I waive any right to inspect or approve any use of the photographs. On behalf of myself and all other persons or entities, I release and forever discharge the Borough of Totowa and its employees, officials, and agents from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action of any kind or nature arising from the use of the photographs under this release. I have read this document and understand its contents.
UNATTENDED CHILDREN'S POLICY
The Borough of Totowa Public Library encourages children of all ages to visit the library and hopes they will find it a warm, inviting place to be. Programs and resources are offered to make the library enticing to children, to help children enjoy their visits, and to develop a love of books, reading and libraries.
The happiness and safety of children left alone at the library is of serious concern to the staff. Young children left on their own in the library become bored, restless and disruptive. Young children are not safe when left unattended. Further, the staff cannot know if the child is leaving the building with parents or strangers.
Parent; please be aware that just because your child says they are coming to the library does not mean that they are in the building. Further the staff cannot know if your child is inside the building or outside the building and cannot be responsible for outside hazards or dangers (i.e. busy parking lot, ramp, steep hill).
We urge parents to keep in mind that the library is a public building and it is not in any child’s best interest to be left here unattended.
Due to the large volume of after school activity, staff members are not permitted to answer phone calls or in person inquires as to the whereabouts of your child.
It is not our intention to seek out unattended children, but rather to have reasoned response prepared when a problem presents itself. For the protection and well-being of children who visit our library, the following policy has been established.
An UNATTENDED CHILD is defined as any child under the age of 17 using the public library and facilities unaccompanied by a parent or responsible caregiver.
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The library is not responsible for the care of unattended minors. The library is not intended to be a daycare, after school care facility, summer camp or babysitting service.
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Children under the age of six may not be left unattended by an adult/caregiver in any part of the library, including the stairwells, elevator, upper and lower level.
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Children six to eight years of age must have a caregiver (age 13 or over) present in the library, unless a child is attending a library sponsored program.
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Children aged nine through twelve may be left in the library without an adult/caregiver for reasonable periods of time, parents are responsible for their behavior and will be contacted if necessary. (Reasonable periods of time may vary with a child’s maturity, but generally one to two hours is acceptable).
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If problems arise while younger children are using the library or if they are left alone, the library staff will attempt to contact the parents. If the library staff is unable to reach the parents, the Totowa Police will be called.
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Children thirteen and over may be in the library without an adult. However, should disciplinary problems arise; the library may ask the child to leave. In that event, the library assumes no further responsibility for the child.
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Parents are required to be at the library no later than fifteen minutes before closing to pick up children, if not the child will be brought over to the Totowa Police Headquarters.
Notes:
Under no circumstances will the library assume custodial responsibility for any child.
Parents, not library staff, are responsible for the behavior of their children using the library and may be held liable for any damage they cause.
This policy/procedure was reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees at a regular meeting on 2/23/2011. Updated 9/26/2013
FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT DISPOSAL POLICY
DISPOSITION OF MATERIALS, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT
It is the policy of the Borough of Totowa Public Library to dispose of library materials, furniture and equipment that are no longer functional or useful in a manner that serves the best interests of the library and to the extent possible, the best interests of the community.
If an item of furniture or equipment is determined at the departmental level to be no longer functional or useful, the Director will determine whether disposition is appropriate.
When the Director determines an item of furniture or equipment no longer has value to the Library, it will be removed from inventory and disposed of in one of the following ways:
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Books and other materials no longer deemed appropriate for the collection will be donated to the Friends of the Totowa Library for disposal through their book sale.
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Computer equipment may be donated or recycled.
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Furniture or equipment no longer of use to the Library and of minor value may be donated to a non-profit, charitable organization.
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Items not covered by the above will be sold through auction or publicly advertised sale, including internet sale, with any proceeds from such sale being deposited to the general fund of the library.
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If an item is determined to have marginal or no resale value, or does not sell through auction or publicly advertised sale, it may be sold or discarded in the best interest of the library.
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Trade-in allowances on any item of equipment being replaced or upgraded may be accepted.
Adopted by the Borough of Totowa Free Public Library Board of Trustees January 26, 2022