Policies

The Princeton Public Library provides meeting/activity rooms for the use of library programming and meetings of the Library Board of Trustees. Library programs always take priority for the use of these spaces. When available, the downstairs meeting/activity rooms can be used by organizations, groups, businesses, and governmental entities who agree to abide by the Library’s rules and whose activities do NOT discriminate based on sex, sexual orientation, color, race, national origin, religion, age, or disability. Granting permission for the use of the meeting rooms does not imply library approval of the organization/group and/or of the ideas presented at the meeting. Publicity promoting the event shall not imply that the library is a sponsor of the event nor give the library’s phone number or email address as a point of contact.

Fees:

1. The rental fee is: $10 per hour per room.
2. If the individual requires the warming kitchen in addition to their room, there will also be an added $20 fee for all organizations.
3. There will be an additional fee of $40 if the room is not left in its original condition; i.e., all trash is picked up and floor and table(s) are clear of any/all debris.
4. All non-profit organizations are exempt from the rental fee, but they are NOT exempt from being charged for warming kitchen use or any damage to the library and will be charged a $40 cleaning fee if the room is not left in its original condition. The organization claiming non-profit status may be asked to provide a copy of their IRS Form 501(c)(3), Articles of Incorporation, or a Tax-Exempt Certificate.
5. The individual responsible for reserving the room must give a 24-hour notice if the room is no longer needed or they will forfeit the rental fee.

Usage and Availability:

1. The individual must be at least 21 years of age to reserve the room.
2. An individual can reserve the room 12 times a calendar year and up to 1 year in advance.
3. A reservation may only be made using the Meeting Room Agreement form. Reservations will only be confirmed once an agreement has been signed and payment, if required, has been received.
4. Library events take precedence over other scheduled events or meetings.
5. The rooms can only be reserved on the days the library is open.
6. The individual reserving the room must arrive when the library is open and cannot set up earlier than the library’s stated hours.
7. If the meeting/event lasts longer than the library’s stated hours, the person reserving the room is responsible for making sure all attendees leave the building, toilets are flushed, all items not belonging to the library are taken or placed in a trash receptacle, and the door they exit from locks behind them.
8. The user shall inspect the premises and facilities and hereby accepts the premises and facilities in their present condition and shall not alter or change the facilities without the written permission of the library.
9. Upon termination of the use, the premises shall be returned in the same condition as received by the user.
10. Users and all members and invitees of the User are guests of the library and their use of the space should be and is subject to the library’s rules.
11. The following are prohibited on library property:
    1. No alcohol, controlled substance, or tobacco use (Including e-cigarettes and vape pens)
    2. No open flame candles, fireworks, or explosive devices
    3. No items can be affixed to the outer walls, windows, or glass panels
12. All food, drink, user equipment, and personal items that were brought into the room must be removed from the library when the meeting/event is over. The library is not responsible for any equipment, material, etc. left in the room.
13. If the user is using the warming kitchen:
    1. Groups must supply their own utensils, dishes, tableware, and all disposable items such as napkins, paper cups, etc.
    2. Users can use the sink to clean utensils, dishes, etc., but they must provide the detergent, dish towels, sponges, etc.
    3. Use the refrigerator and microwave to cool or heat items, but must remove when leaving. Ice will be in limited supply.
    4. Trash and garbage should be left in closed trash bags or removed from the premises.
14. Persons under the age of 21 years old using the room must be supervised by an adult at all times.
15. If children are brought to any adult meeting, the accompanying adult is responsible for the children’s behavior throughout the building. Library staff does NOT provide childcare or babysitting services and cannot be responsible for the safety of children left unattended. If the children create a disturbance in the library, they will be required to stay with the adult in the meeting room or be asked to leave the building.
16. The user is responsible for any costs associated in returning the room to proper condition, including but not limited to cleaning or repair charges for any damaged property.
17. Room cannot be used for rummage or yard sales.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

The user agrees to comply with all applicable requirements of the ADA in assuring availability of auxiliary aids and services required by participants at any event. The User shall be solely responsible for the cost of any such auxiliary aids and services. The User agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the library, its Board of Trustees, offices, and employees from and against any claims resulting for the User’s failure to comply with ADA standards for access to its programs and services.

Copyright:

Groups showing copyrighted visual material in the library are solely responsible for obtaining written public performance licensing rights. Borrowing, renting, or purchasing a movie does not carry with it the right to show the movie outside of the home.

Security Cameras:

The user understands the library has a variety of monitoring stations for the safety and security of the building. Users may not do anything that interferes with any security cameras located in and around the building.

Transferability:

This agreement is not transferrable and if the original signer is unable or unwilling to commit to hte agreement, they will need to cancel the agreement and have a new user sign the meeting room agreement. Nothing in this agreement shall imply any sponsorship, joint venture, or any other association between the library and the user. The users shall have sole responsibility for the content and the conduct of its activities on library property.

Indemnity and Damages:

All Users and persons attending User sponsored events using library facilities take the premises “as is” and assume all risks of loss, damage, or injury, including death or property damage, resulting from the use by User(s) of the library facilities and services under this agreement. Library “facilities” and “premises” include not only meeting rooms but the entire building, parking lot, and grounds.

The library assumes no liability whatsoever for any property placed by the User or any person attending a User sponsored event in or about the library building or property. User agrees that all persons on library premises because of User’s event (participants, members, invitees) are under the direct and complete control of the User. As such, the User is liable for all damages resulting from a participant’s use of the library’s facilities and services. User shall reimburse the library for all damages to its facilities or equipment resulting from the use of the same.

The User shall indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Library, its Board of Trustees, officers, and employees from and against any and all liability or financial loss, costs, or expense (including reasonable attorney’s fees and legal costs) resulting from any suit, claim, loss, or action brought against the library, its Board of Trustees, officers, and/or employees, which arises or results directly or indirectly from the use of the library’s facilities or services under this agreement by the user or its sponsors, spectators, participants, members, officers, directors, or agents.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the user is a governmental entity or a public employee acting within the scope of his or her employment, then the provisions of this section will not apply.

Miscellaneous:

1. The user provides their own office equipment, services, and/or supplies. Fax, photocopying, and/or computers are available in regular patron areas in the library and are available during regular library hours. The user is responsible for handling registrations, screening attendees, loading, unloading, and/or carrying of the group’s materials.
2. The library reserves the right to share contact information of any individual/organization that reserves the meeting room, if a request is made by a member of the public.
3. The library reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any use which is disruptive or destructive to the library or when falsified information was given on the meeting room application/agreement.
4. The library reserves the right to allow staff members to enter any meeting to ensure adherence to library policy and to ask groups to vacate the building if they are not adhering to library policy.
5. ALL individuals and groups regardless of status MUST come to the library to sign for the rooms and confirm their requested date with library staff.

The Princeton Public Library now has small study/tutor rooms for use in our building upstairs. The rules and policies for those rooms are as follows:

1. There will be no reservations for these rooms
2. The rooms will be locked between users.
3. An individual must be at least 12 years of age or older to use the room and must show a picture ID or a valid Princeton Library Card.
4. The individual can use the room for 4 hours. They can use it longer if no other individual needs a room.
5. The individual will sign up and out of the room at the circulation desk giving name and telephone number.
6. Drinks with lids and snacks are allowed.
7. Nothing can be placed on the walls.
8. The person who signed for the room is held responsible for any damage or mess to the room. If the room or its content is damaged they will forfeit the use of the room until they pay.
9. The rooms are available during regular library hours but the individual(s) must vacate the room one half hour (30 minutes) before the library closes.
10. The library cannot be held responsible for theft, damage, or loss of personal property left in the room.
11. Library staff will not be responsible for child care and the unattended children policy will be enforced if a child is in the building at closing time. 

No use of tobacco products, vaping, alcoholic beverages, or using obscene language.
Treat all individuals with courtesy and respect
No running, skateboarding, roller skating or bicycling.
No hitting, pushing, or shoving another person
Talking is permitted using your normal voice level, no shouting or screaming
Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times
No soliciting
No sitting, standing or crawling on tables or desks.
Lying on the floor is not permitted unless under the age of 16 and in the Teen or Toddler rooms.
Staff has the right to ask you to leave/ban you from the library if your behavior is not acceptable. You can appeal this decision by writing a letter address to the director and the Board of Trustees.

Responsibility for the safety and behavior of All children using the Library resides with the parent, guardian, or assigned chaperone, not with the Library staff.
If a child is being disruptive, they will be warned that their behavior is unacceptable. If they continue to misbehave, they will be asked to leave. If they came with a parent, the parent will be notified. If they were dropped off, the staff will telephone the parent to come and pick up their child. If the child is being banned for more than 24 hours, the parent will be notified by the staff.
If a child is unattended at the Library and we are closing the staff will try to contact the parent or guardian. If a responsible person is reached, the staff will ask their location and wait with the child the normal driving time to reach the Library. If no responsible individual can be reached and the Library closes, the police will be called.
Under no circumstances will a staff member take a child out of the Library and its grounds, or transport a child in any manner without written parental consent.
Children under the age of 12 will not be left alone outside the Library after closing.

1. All Novelty Nook & Toy Box items, located upstairs, may be borrowed for one week and be renewed once for an additional one week if no one is waiting for the item. There is a limit of 100 items per card system-wide of which, only 2 can be Novelty Nook items from each category (2 cake pans, 2 sets of cookie cutters, 2 games, 2 puzzles, 2 toys, and any items yet to be added for the future, per card). Items checked out to outreach patrons check out for one month in total.

2. A Novelty Nook Waiver MUST be signed in order to check out Novelty Nook Items.

3. Novelty Items are housed upstairs in the Novelty Nook and are defined as puzzles, games, cookie cutters, cake pans, toys, and other items to be determined in the future.

4. The Princeton Public Library will not be held responsible for any damage to any electronic device caused by library material.

5. Parent/guardian will have the authority to restrict their children from checking out R rated items.

6. Fines are $.25 per day on all items except equipment. Fines are only assessed for the days the library is open. There will be a one-day grace period. The one-day grace period is factored in to the final fine total. Fines are capped at $10.00 per item or the cost of the item minus $.50 whichever is least.

7. Fees will be assessed for damaged items to cover the repair or for replacement parts. Charges cannot exceed the replacement cost of the item.

8. If the item is lost or is damaged beyond repair, the patron will pay for the cost of the item. If the item is later found, then the item theirs. There is no refund.

9. Only patrons who reside in our taxing district (Patoka Township), subscription card holders, or reciprocal borrowers may check out and request Novelty Nook items. 

10. The library maintains a reserve Novelty Nook list as a service to its patrons. No one will automatically be put on the list for any Novelty Nook item. All patrons must specifically ask to be put on the list for each Novelty Nook item. This may be done in person, over the phone, or by patron through his/her online library account.

11. When a patron's name comes up on the reserve list, they will be contacted by automated telephone call by EVERGREEN INDIANA or by the library.

12. If the item is not picked up, the person will be removed from the list. A total of five days form the time the patron's name comes up on the reserve list and the time the item is picked up is all that may lapse.

13. If a patron owes $10.00 or more in fines/fees or has 15 or more items overdue system-wide, his/her borrowing privileges will be suspended.

14. If the patron has set up an account with us, that has an email address, he/she will be notified by email 3 days in advance of the item(s) due date and on the date they are due.

15. After checking the shelves to ensure materials did not get shelved without being checked in, anyone having overdue library materials will be notified on the following schedule:

• One week overdue ------ phone call or letter
• 14 days (2 weeks) overdue ----- letter
• 28 days (4 weeks) overdue ----- letter
• 45 days ----- Final notice will be sent detailing the cost of the item, fine incurred, and processing fee.

16. The Board of Trustees may elect to file criminal charges if the item is not returned or file with the small claims court to recover the equipment or replacement cost.

17. Cookie cutters and cake pans must be hand washed in warm soapy water. DO NOT use hot water or the dishwasher as they will/can melt and/or damage the items.

18. ALL Novelty Nook items MUST be returned inside the building, NOT in the outside dropbox/ book return. A $5 fee per item will be assessed for Novelty Nook items not returned inside.

19. Parents must sign a waiver for each child under the age of 16 to grant permission for the child to check out Novelty Nook items. Parents may choose which items the child is allowed to check out.

20. Reciprocal borrowers MUST be in good standing with their home libraries in order to check out Novelty Nook items. Princeton Public Library staff will call and verify.

The tools and equipment in our Novelty Nook are for use by library patrons with a valid Princeton Public Library card, subscription card holders, and reciprocal borrowers in good standing, and agree to the following:

1. In consideration of being permitted to borrow items from the Novelty Nook, Borrower does hereby waive and and all claims and causes of action against the Princeton Public Library, the City of Princeton, and their officers, agents, volunteers and employees, and does herby release the Princeton Public Library, the City of Princeton and all such persons from any such claims and causes of action, whether arising in contract or in tort (including for negligence) or under any statue or other law or administrative regulation, for any injury or loss of any nature that the Borrower may suffer or incur in the use of the items from the Novelty Nook or Toy Box borrowed from the Princeton Public Library or otherwise in connection with this Agreement, and Borrower does herby release all such parties from any such claims and causes of action.

2. In consideration for being permitted to borrow items from the Novelty Nook, Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Princeton Public Library, the City of Princeton and their officers, agents, volunteers, and employees from and against any and all liability, loss, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action, whether arising in contract or in tort (including negligence) or under any statute or other law or administrative regulation, for the death or injury to any persons and for any property damage or loss suffered or incurred by any persons which arises or may be alleged to arise from or be occasioned in any way by the use of the items from the Novelty Nook or otherwise arising under this agreement.

3. The Novelty Nook Loan Policy of the Princeton Public Library is attached to and hereby incorporated into this Agreement. Borrower represents and agrees that they have read and fully understands the Loan Policy and that failure to comply with any of the policies may result in revocation of borrowing privileges.

4. Parent/Guardians must grant written permission below for children ages 16 and under to check out Novelty Nook items without parent/guardian being present.

Borrower states and agrees that they have read and signed this Agreement, including the Waiver, release and Indemnification relinquishing any and all claims against the Princeton Public Library, the City of Princeton and their employees and other personnel and indemnifying them against the claims of others, intending to be bound by all the terms hereof. 

1. Search of indexed source for one name will be $5.00. This fee will include up to 10 photocopied pages plus postage and handling fee of $1.50. If the photocopied pages exceed 10 pages each additional page will be $.15 per page.
2. The staff will only search newspaper records when given a specific date. The staff will search three days on either side of the date. The fee will be $10.00 and will include up to 10 copies plus postage and handling fee of $1.50. If the photocopied pages exceed 10 pages each additional page will be $.15 per page.
3. If no indexed source is stated nor a specific date given, the staff will do limited research for $10.00 an hour. Cost of each photocopy will be $.15 per page. If postage exceeds $1.50, the person will be invoiced the difference. The person can state the maximum amount they will be willing to pay and the Library will not exceed this amount.
4. No payment will be taken in advance of the research. The Library will send an itemized bill and payment is required before the research is sent. Payment must be by check or money order if hardcopies are requested. Emailed copies may be paid via the online payment portal.