The Library Administration

Our Current Bylaws

• PDF edition of the Bylaws
• Plain text file edition of the Bylaws

Document History

• Bylaws Update (3/18/25): PDF edition of the Updated Bylaws   Text edition of the updated Bylaws
• Bylaws Changes (4/14/21): PDF edition of the Bylaw changes   Text edition of the Bylaw changes
• Bylaws Revised (2/11/20): PDF edition of the Revised Bylaws   Text edition of the Revised Bylaws
• Bylaws Adopted (2/11/20): PDF edition of the Adopted Bylaws   Text edition of the Adopted Bylaws

• Children under the age of 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult/responsible caregiver over the age of 18 and not be left unattended at any time in any area of Middletown Thrall Library.
• Library staff members are not responsible for the safety and supervision of children in the Library.
• If an unattended child under the age of 10 years of age is in Middletown Thrall Library at the time of closing, the Middletown Police will be called to ensure the safety of the unattended minor(s).
• The Library reserves the right to require adult supervision for any child under the age of 18 who demonstrates an inability to abide by the Library's Rules and Regulations for Patron Conduct.
• Unattended adults 18 years of age or older who are not supervising or participating in activities with minor children are not permitted to loiter and/or use the computers or study areas, or tables and chairs located in the children's room. Computers and study areas with tables and chairs for adults are located on the library's first floor.

• PDF edition of the Collection Management Policy
• Plain text file edition of the Collection Management Policy

• PDF edition of the COI Policy
• Plain text file edition of the COI Policy

• Tutoring of school aged children in the Library is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM.
• After 2:30 PM students in grades 1-6 may be tutored in the Children's Room on the second floor.
• After 2:30 PM students in grades 7-12 may be tutored in the Library's first floor YA [Young Adult] area.
• Parents of homeschooled students may make special arrangements for tutoring times at the discretion of the Library Director.
• Tutors are expected to closely monitor the activities of students and to ensure student behavior conforms to Library policies.

Noise Issues

• Engaging in loud conversation or in any conversation which interrupts or disturbs the readers in the reading areas.
• Offering unsolicited advice/or assistance to other members of the public.
• Arranging the seating at tables beyond the limit of chairs normally assigned to a table.
• Holding unauthorized or unscheduled group meetings or group conversation.
• Participating in any games which produce noise or conversation (except in approved areas).
• Using cell phones and pagers (these must be silenced). All phone conversations must be conducted outside of the Library building.
• Using the Library facilities to conduct any type of business or service for personal gain, e.g., business conferences, tutoring, or presentations, without the written consent of the Library Director.

Library Interference

• Unlawful harassment of Library staff, patrons, vendors or other non -employees
• Using Library telephones intended for Library personnel.
• Entering the Library's closed book stacks or other restricted areas, except on approval by Library personnel.
• Stealing, mutilating, and defacing Library property, including books.
• Taking Library material outside of the Library building without authorization by Library personnel through the established borrowing procedures.
• Parking vehicles on Library property when the driver is not using the Library.
• Blocking or interfering with the free movement of individuals, or behavior that interferes with another person's ability to use the Library.
• Using bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades or other such personal items in the Library, or on library grounds.
• Soliciting or conducting surveys not authorized by the Library.
• Soliciting, selling of any kind, or distributing leaflets not specifically approved by the Library Director.
• Sitting on tables or stair steps inside the Library.
• Loitering or sleeping.
• Arranging the seating at tables beyond the limit of chairs normally assigned to a table.

Illegal Substances/Activities

• Being under the influence of alcohol/illegal drugs, or selling, using or possessing alcohol/illegal drugs on Library property.
• Using tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes or vaping.
• Using restrooms for meetings, loitering, and solicitation for immoral purposes or for the consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances.
• Engaging in any activity in violation of federal, state, or local or other applicable law.

Other

• Appropriate attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn while on Library property.
• Children under the age of 8 must be attended by a parent or guardian at all times, unless enrolled in a library program.
• Assistance animals are the only animals permitted in the Library.
• Food and beverages are not permitted in the Library.
• Individuals with offensive body odor leading to complaints from other library users and/or staff will be required to leave.
• Personal belongings, including bags, boxes, backpacks, suitcases, etc., may not be left unattended anywhere in the building or on the grounds.

1. Time will be reserved at the beginning of each Library Board meeting for public comment. Public comment is limited to this period.
   
   
2. Members of the public who wish to speak are asked to sign-in before the meeting begins, identifying themselves and providing their address and group affiliation (if any) to the Board before speaking. A sign-in roster will determine the speaking order for people who wish to make public comment. The names will be called in the order in which they appear on the sign-in sheet. Anyone refusing to identify him or herself will be prohibited from speaking.
   
   
3. As a courtesy, it is appreciated if notice of an intention to speak at a Board meeting is given to the Library Director in advance of the meeting.
   
   
4. Members of the public are limited to a maximum of three minutes of comments. Each person is allowed only one three minute comment period.
   
   
5. Public comments will be addressed to the entire Library Board, but there will not be a response from either Board members or the Library Director.
   
   
6. Any Thrall Library Trustee or member of the public wishing to have an item considered for addition to the agenda is asked to contact either the Library Director or the President of the Library Board at least one week before the next Library Board meeting.
   
   
7. If at any time persons appearing before the Board exceed the time limitation set forth in this policy or become inappropriate in language or behavior, it shall be the responsibility of the President to declare that person out of order and to refuse him or her permission to continue to address the Board.
   
   
8. Comments made become part of the meeting record.
   
   

1. Present a written assignment from her/his school district.
2. The assignment must show the student's name; show the teacher's name; have a contact number for the teacher listed; and be signed by the teacher.
3. Present the written, signed assignment to the Library Director. It must be accepted by the Director, or an individual delegated by the Director.
4. Following the above steps, the individual will be allowed to work solely, and alone*, on the completion of the assignment. Once the assignment has been completed, in the judgment of the library staff, the individual must leave the building.

Library Mission

• Meet the information needs of the chartered service area.
• Inform the library districts community of the resources and services available.
• Instruct the library district's community on the use of resources and services available

Library Building

• Evaluate the physical structure and explore opportunities to make improvements.
• Evaluate the heating, venting, and air conditioning systems and explore opportunities to improve energy efficiency, utilizing "green" technologies wherever possible.
• Evaluate collection needs as they relate to the physical space and make improvements in the display or storage of items where possible.

Library Technology

• Facilitate the migration to the new automated circulation system and online public access catalog.
• Maintain a website to provide public access to the catalog, databases, public announcements and ready reference information.
• Maintain and improve wherever possible the library's Internet and computer workstations.
• Incorporate new technologies into the provision of library services wherever possible.
• Offer training to the public in how best to utilize technology.

Library Collection

• Maintain an up to date collection of materials in multiple formats to inform, entertain and enlighten.

Library Community

• Continue to promote library resources and services in the community through the publication and distribution of library newsletters and informational brochures.
• Continue to provide community meeting space and a bulletin board.
• Identify stakeholders and make efforts to bring them into the planning process.

Budget

• Locate available funding resources to ensure the provision of effective library services in an uncertain economic environment.

Evaluation and Future Planning

• The director will facilitate the collection of data from the community via surveys, questionnaires and or focus groups to solicit feedback on community library usage and needs. This information will be presented to the Board of Trustees for analysis, discussion and future planning.

1. The Library bulletin board is to be used for the posting of notices of
   • library business or activities and
   • public service items of educational or cultural interest to the community.
2. Members of the public are not permitted to post notices.
3. Only authorized Library personnel may post notices on the Library bulletin board.
4. Any notice to be considered for posting must be submitted to Library management for approval.
5. Notices posted without authorization will be removed.
6. The bulletin board is not to be used for advertising or for commerical notices.
7. All notices intended for posting on the Library bulletin board must contain the following:
   • name of sponsoring agency, and
   • address and telephone number of sponsoring agency or authorized representative.
8. Notice size (physical dimensions) can be restricted if deemed necessary to maximize available space.
9. Notices may be removed after two weeks, when they are no longer timely or when space is required for more current items.
10. The Library does not necessarily advocate or endorse the viewpoints of organizations permitted to post notices on the Library bulletin board.
11. The Library accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any item accepted for posting.

1. Library display facilities are intended for exhibits/displays related to:
   • library business or activities or
   • public service items of educational, cultural or civic interest to the community.
2. Displays may not be used for advertising or for commercial purposes.
3. Identification of the sponsor/exhibitor must be included in the display on a card or plaque no larger than 3" x 5".
4. Such identification must contain the following:
   • name of sponsoring agency, and
   • address and telephone number of sponsoring agency or authorized representative.
5. The duration of any display or exhibit is established at the discretion of Library management.
6. The requirements of the Library take precedence over those of exhibitors.
7. Should the Library require display/exhibit facilities for its own use, the Library reserves the right to pre-empt space upon three-day's written notice to the exhibitor.
8. Installation and subsequent removal of displays/exhibits are the responsibilities of the applicant.
9. Displays/exhibits which are not removed on or prior to the date established by Library management will be removed by the Library.
10. Any expense for such removal becomes the responsibility of the exhibitor.
11. Neither the Library nor the Library Board accepts responsibility for loss or damage to any exhibit/display.
12. The Library does not necessarily advocate or endorse the viewpoints of parties permitted to utilize display cases or exhibit space.
13. Potential exhibitors must complete:
    • an application and
    • a release form
    before Library management will consider any exhibit or display.
14. No installations are permitted without authorization of Library management.

Policy

The library's meeting room and related facilities were planned primarily to be used for library sponsored and co-sponsored programs and activities. As a tax-supported public institution the library also tries to share these limited facilities with local non-profit community groups and organizations on as widespread and equitable a basis as possible for educational, recreational, cultural, and informational meetings and programs.

Application Procedure

Forms are available in the Director's Office. A completed application must be submitted at least 30 calendar days in advance of the requested date of use. No reservation will be accepted without the filing of a completed application.

• Please follow this link to download and print out the PDF of the application.

Priority

In all cases regular library activities, followed by groups located within the Thrall Public Library District of Middletown & Wallkill, shall precede outside requests. Priority use for outside groups shall be granted on the basis of educational purposes to be followed by the uses for charitable purposes.

Availability

Except for library and library related programs, groups shall not use the rooms for meeting more than once a month.

Supervision

Organizations and groups granted permission for facility usage shall insure that adequate adult supervision is provided at all times.

The presence of a library employee shall be required during the scheduled time of use. It is the responsibility of the library employee to arrange for access to the meeting room, to examine the room before and after use for discovery of possible damage to or loss of property, and to secure the room upon completion of use.

The permit holder shall reimburse the library for the actual costs of such services by library employees if they are provided during times other than when said employees are regularly scheduled for work. Fees for such estimated costs may be collected in advance of the programs.

Liability

Permit holders shall be liable for any damages to library property, furnishings or equipment so assigned and designated for use. It is recommended that any damage to the property, including missing furnishings or equipment, be noted by the permit holder and brought to the attention of library employees on duty. Damages may lead to the organization being barred from any future use of the room.

Permit holders shall be fully responsible for the property and possessions of its members brought into the Middletown Thrall Library or on its grounds and will hold the library free of any and all liability for loss or damage to such personal property of the organization or its members as a result of or during use of the library.

Personal Injury

The permit holder shall indemnify and save the Thrall Public Library District of Middletown and Wallkill harmless from any and all personal liability including bodily injury to its attendees arising from the use of library facilities. In all cases of the use of library facilities by outside groups specific liability insurance is required in the following amounts:

A certificate of insurance must be submitted to the library as proof of the required coverage, naming Thrall Public Library District of Middletown & Wallkill as an additional insured party.

No Smoking/No Alcohol Policy

Fees

Disclaimer

The fact that a group is permitted to meet at the library does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group's policies or beliefs. The Board of Trustees of the Thrall Public Library District of Middletown & Wallkill at its discretion shall be the final authority regarding the use of the room.

The meeting room may not be used for partisan political events. It cannot be used for an appearance by a government official or individual who has announced a candidacy for re-election or to another elected position during the campaign period. (The campaign period is defined as the time from the candidate's announcement through the date of the election for that position.)

The meeting room cannot be used by any group or individual for religious services, or to distribute religious materials.

• Increased health/safety measures for staff (e.g., wearing of gloves, wiping down work areas, etc.);
• Restricted access to meeting room spaces
• Social distancing practices from visitors;
• Reduction of business hours;
• Cancellation of all special events, educational sessions and meetings;
• Reallocation of employee responsibilities and shift/schedule changes to provide coverage during open or closed hours;
• Closure of the library building.

• Payroll;
• Accounts Payable;
• Facility Maintenance
• Dissemination of information to the community via the Library website www.thrall.org, social media or other appropriate means

• Public Employer Health Emergency Plan for Thrall Public Library District of Middletown and Wallkill - Adopted by Middletown Thrall Library's Board Of Trustees 3-10-2021