POLICIES GOVERNING THE USE OF THE DOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

1. Library users are expected to respect the rights and privacy of library staff members.  Harassment of staff members by the public will not be tolerated.
2. Books and other library materials are the property of the City of Dover.  Anyone who sets off the security alarm system will be asked to display any items that may have triggered the alarm so that they can be properly checked out.  Anyone refusing to comply or who has been observed damaging city property will be referred to the Dover Police.
3. The following activities are prohibited in the library:  profanity, sleeping in or on library property, loitering, soliciting, panhandling, disruptive noises including ringing cellular telephones, not wearing shoes and shirts, smoking, food and drink, fighting, and animals except those accompanying handicapped persons or those used for library programming.
4. Computer use is unavailable fifteen minutes before closing, and some sections of the library on the bottom floor are not available for use a half hour before closing. 
5. Only one person is allowed in the bathroom at a time, unless changing an infant or attending to a minor child.  Both bathrooms in the Children’s Services Department have changing tables for the convenience of caregivers.
6. Patrons must not sit on the handrails in the library entrance area and may not block the library entrance.  Bicycles must be left in the bike rack and may not block the entrance.  Please lock your bike since library staff cannot be responsible for stolen property.
7. The Children’s Services Department is for the use of those ages 12 and under and their caregivers.  Young children cannot be left unattended in the library.  Truancy will be reported to school officials.  Suspended or expelled students must present evidence of their status to remain in the library during school hours.  If minors under age 18 are left at the library or on library property for fifteen minutes after closing, the Dover Police will be called to retrieve the minor until the parents can be located.
8. A public telephone is provided in the library entrance and patrons cannot use library telephones.  Staff members will not be responsible for relaying messages to patrons.
9. Personal items should not be left unattended in the library.  Library staff cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items.
10. Library users must abide by additional library policies about computer usage, reserving the meeting room, borrowing materials, and posting information on library bulletin boards.  For further information, please ask a staff member for copies of these policies.
11. A library customer must physically his/her valid, up-to-date library account card in-hand at the library in order to borrow library resources as well as to access library computer workstations.          (This policy begins Jan. 2, 2008)

    12.  Library Computer Use Time: Each library customer may utilize the computer up to 75 minutes per day. (Policy effective Jan. 2, 2008)

    13.  All (minor) children up to and including age eight (8) must be accompanied by an adult age eighteen (18) or older when using the Dover Public Library.

           [At the discretion of the Librarian Supervisor in-charge, a minor under the age of eighteen (18) years of age, when so appointed by the child's parent or guardian, may substitute for an adult as 

           defined in this policy.]  (Policy effective Jan. 2, 2008)

Anyone in violation of these rules will receive one warning.  A second warning will result in the suspension of library privileges for the remainder of the day.  The parents or legal guardians of repeat juvenile offenders will be contacted.  Suspension from any department of the library includes suspension from all parts of the library, including outside library property.  If a patron refuses to leave the library when asked by a staff member, the Dover Police will be contacted.

Library Director