The Newbern City Library is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and accessible space for everyone in our community. Our policies are here to protect our patrons, support our staff, and keep the library running smoothly so that people of all ages can read, learn, create, and connect.
This page provides the full text of our core policies, along with clear navigation to help you locate exactly what you need. If you have any questions about how something works or what is allowed, please contact library staff — we are always happy to help.
Everyone is welcome to visit the library building. A library card is required to check out materials and to use certain services and equipment.
Adults must present a photo ID. Children under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them. Adults may obtain a card over the phone for digital use but must present ID before checking out physical items.
Children under age eight (8) must be accompanied by an adult or responsible older child. Parents and guardians are responsible for children's behavior at all times.
Yes. Patrons should help maintain a peaceful environment — this includes respecting noise levels, staff direction, and the comfort and safety of others.
The library provides a Button Maker, Laminator, Cricut Maker 3 with Heat Press, and a Makerbot Sketch 3D Printer. Each device has its own policy and guidelines that must be followed.
Yes. The meeting rooms are available during normal library hours. Full details are included in the Meeting Room Policy found below on this page.
(Established October 11th, 1979 — Last Amended: September 9, 2024)
In our efforts to provide a comfortable, welcoming environment for all library users, the Newbern City Library Board of Trustees has determined that the library and its services should be subject to a written policy. These policies are in force on library premises.
Animals are not allowed inside the library. Animals needed to aid individuals with disabilities are exempt from this rule. Special permission may be given for certain library-sponsored programs.
Patrons are responsible for their personal property. Please do not leave items unattended.
Patrons are to treat the library property and equipment with respect.
Solicitation (other than library-related) is not permitted in the library.
Patrons may request a reserve (hold) on any two items in circulation.
Please use our convenient outside book return for books only after hours. Due to the less rugged nature of other formats, they must be returned to the library desk.
The ultimate responsibility for the selection of all library materials rests with the library director, who operates within the framework of the Collection Development Policy determined by the Newbern City Library Board of Trustees.
It is the policy of the Newbern City Library that parents and guardians, not the library staff, are responsible for monitoring and approving the selection of materials made by their children. Parents or guardians may restrict only their own children from access to library materials.
Although materials are carefully selected, there may arise differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. Any patron who is above the age of eighteen (18) years of age or a parent/guardian of a minor cardholder, and has been a cardholder in good standing with Newbern City Library for sixty (60) days, may challenge materials. Patrons requesting that materials be withdrawn from or restricted from the collection may complete a “Statement of Concern about Library Resources,” which is available at the library. After the form is completed, the inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Newbern City Library Board of Trustees, and the results of the dispute will be included in the minutes of the board meeting. No materials will be removed or restricted unless instructed by the Board of Trustees.
An up-to-date, attractive, and useful collection is maintained through a continued withdrawal and replacement process. The process and decision to deselect an item takes into account the same criteria used when the item was first selected. Obsolete information, insufficient use, excessive wear, space availability, and changing user interests are considered. Duplicate copies and items superseded by newer editions are reviewed for possible weeding. The CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) method of weeding, established as an authority by the American Library Association, is utilized.
The library may provide, at its discretion, limited space for the distribution of community information materials, free handouts, and the posting of flyers, notices, and posters about current and relevant news of nonprofit educational, cultural, public interest, and recreational services.
Emergencies or catastrophes, including but not limited to extreme weather, utility failure, bomb threat, fire, or acts of terrorism, may require closing the library. The primary consideration in any emergency is the safety of all persons in the library. The library cooperates fully with public safety departments and emergency service providers.
The City of Newbern and the Library Director will determine when to close the library.
The Newbern City Library Board of Trustees and staff hope that families who use our library will see our facility as a warm, inviting, and pleasant place to be. We also hope that children will visit the library and develop a lifelong love of books, reading, learning, and libraries. However, parents and guardians are reminded that they are responsible for their children’s behavior while the children are at the library or on library grounds.
In an effort to provide a quiet, relaxed atmosphere for all patrons at the library, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted a policy statement concerning unattended or disruptive children.
The public library is not a childcare provider. Parents may not leave children under the age of eight (8) unattended in the library.
Children and young people who are disruptive in the library or on library grounds interfere with library services to all patrons. Disruptive behavior, such as loud talking, profanity, running, jumping, hitting, throwing things, etc., will not be tolerated in the library.
Those disrupting others will be warned twice and then asked to leave and may not return for one (1) week. Continued abuse of this policy will be handled on an individual basis.
Deliberate vandalism to library materials or property or the personal property of other library patrons will not be tolerated. These actions will result in the police being called.
Staff are not permitted to remain after hours with an unattended child or to give him/her a ride home. After 30 minutes, Newbern Police will be contacted to take the child.
The Newbern City Library is pleased to provide access to the Internet as a means to enhance the information and learning opportunities for the citizens of the library’s service area. The Board of Trustees has established this Internet use policy to ensure appropriate and effective use of this resource.
In order to offer Internet service to all of our patrons, users must agree to follow the guidelines set forth below.
Newbern City Library is aware of and adheres to the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The library, having installed and enforced the operation of filtering software in compliance with CIPA, will have no liability for damages related to the operation of, or failure of, the filtering software, or for its circumvention by users. The library will enforce the operation of filtering software during any use of public access computers to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate material on the Internet.
The Technology Protection Measures Policy is reviewed annually by the Newbern City Library Board of Trustees. This meeting is open to the public and the approval of the policy will be documented in the minutes.
The term “harmful to minors” is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC Section 254[h][7]) as any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
Filtering software is not foolproof. It reduces the likelihood that users will inadvertently retrieve text or images they may find offensive, but does not eliminate that possibility. Filters may also block access to sites that users would consider inoffensive and useful.
Newbern City Library uses software and monitors computer usage to help protect minors when using email, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communication.
The library uses software to protect its computers from unauthorized access, including “hacking” and the unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal information regarding minors. The library has measures restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them and to other unlawful activities.
The library’s Board of Trustees must review compliance with CIPA annually and acknowledge the use of filtering software for all public PCs, as well as the existence of an Internet usage policy that restricts minors from gaining access to material that is pornographic to minors, as determined by community standards.
If needed, technology protection measures may be disabled by library staff, as necessary, for bona fide research or other lawful purposes by people 18 and older.
All persons accessing the wireless Internet via the library must comply with the current Library Internet Policies for Internet use.
The meeting rooms of the Newbern City Library are available for use by civic groups or organizations on a first-come, first-served basis during normal library hours.
Pursuant to its policy of non-discrimination, the Newbern City Library does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or military service in its policies, or in the admission or access to, or treatment of employment in, its programs, services, or activities.
The library does not advocate or endorse the viewpoints of any group or individual. Meeting room use shall not be publicized in such a way as to imply library sponsorship.
Non-library event capacity is limited to ten (10) individuals in the Conference Room and twenty (20) in the Programming Room.
Library activities and events sponsored by the Newbern City Library and/or the City of Newbern have first priority for meeting room use.
All meetings and programs must be open to the public and free of charge. Fundraising events or solicitations of any kind are not permitted unless sponsored by the library. Businesses may not sell products or charge for services rendered.
All meetings must be scheduled in advance by filling out a Reservation Form, including a contact person. The form may be completed by phone or email if staff are provided with the required information. Requests should be made at least 60 days prior to the requested date if possible.
Meeting rooms may only be used during library hours, and use is on a first-come, first-served basis. Recurring meetings may be scheduled first for a two-month period and then may be renewed for another six-month period. All meeting room and display use is subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Outdoor library grounds are not available for reservation. Programs must not interfere with library operations. Non-library events may not be held in the main room of the library.
Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the library. Refreshments may be served, but alcoholic beverages are not allowed. All food and drink must be confined to the meeting room and approved in advance by the Librarian. The library is not responsible for food safety.
Users must respect and uphold local, state, and federal laws and regulations. The meeting room and library will not be used for illegal purposes.
Groups or individuals reserving a room are responsible for setting up the room and should include time for setup and takedown in their reservation. The meeting room must be left in a clean and orderly manner. Failure to do so may result in cancellation or refusal of future meetings.
The Library Board and staff do not assume any liability for groups or individuals attending a meeting in the library.
Groups or individuals with a reservation should notify the library as soon as possible if a meeting is canceled. Groups with two no-call/no-shows will not be permitted further reservations for one year.
No decorations may be glued, taped, or stapled in the meeting room. The library is not responsible for items left in the room.
Failure to abide by the Library’s Meeting Room Policy may result in cancellation of, or refusal of, future reservations.
Enforcement of these rules will be conducted in a fair and reasonable manner. Library staff (if safety permits) and/or Newbern Police Officers will intervene to stop prohibited activities and behaviors. Failure to comply with the library’s established rules, regulations, and policies may result in removal from the premises and exclusion from the library for a period of one day to one year, or in arrest or prosecution. Violations may also result in the restriction and/or termination of library privileges, including the use of library computers and other equipment.
The Library Board of Trustees reserves the right to amend any or all library policies at any time by a majority vote.
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.
The freedom to read is essential to our democracy and is continuously under attack. Attempts to suppress or censor materials rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that individuals, by exercising critical judgment, will select the good and reject the bad. The statement emphasizes trust in readers, resistance to censorship, and the importance of maintaining a broad range of ideas in a free society.
Pressures to conform or restrict reading materials are especially dangerous in times of social tension. Suppression limits inquiry and weakens democratic culture. Reading is among our greatest freedoms, and the written word is a primary medium for new ideas and voices that contribute to social growth.
The statement concludes that while ideas can be dangerous, the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom is a demanding and sometimes risky way of life, but it is essential to the vitality of our culture and democracy.
The Newbern City Library has a button maker available for use by the public. Button making is the process of creating buttons, which can be done by hand or by machine. Buttons can be made from a variety of materials, including plastic, wood, metal, and seashells.
I have read the Newbern City Library Button Maker Policy and my signature below indicates my agreement to adhere to these guidelines.
The Newbern City Library has a Cricut Maker 3 available for use by the public. This is an electronic cutting and drawing machine capable of transferring designs to a number of different materials including paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric, and certain woods. The Cricut can be used to produce custom signs, t-shirts, labels, greeting cards, and stickers. Cutting times typically vary between 15 to 30 minutes depending on the size and complexity of the design.
Newbern City Library provides a heat press for patron use. A heat press is a machine used to press iron-on material onto other fabrics.
I have read the Newbern City Library Cricut Maker 3 & Heat Press Usage Policy and my signature below indicates my agreement to adhere to these guidelines. By signing, I acknowledge that Newbern City Library and the City of Newbern are not responsible for any injuries or product outcomes I may acquire while using the Cricut Maker 3 or the Heat Press.
The Newbern City Library has a laminator available for use by the public. Lamination is the process of securing flat objects such as photographs or documents between two layers of closed laminate plastic. This helps to preserve items for longer amounts of time than the material alone is expected to last. Laminated objects are less likely to rip and tear and are also able to withstand temporary contact with water and other moisture.
I have read the Newbern City Library Laminator Policy and my signature below indicates my agreement to adhere to these guidelines.
The Newbern City Library has a Makerbot Sketch 3D Printer available for use by the public. It is capable of producing three-dimensional plastic items layer by layer from a 3D design uploaded from a digital computer file.
I have read the Newbern City Library Makerbot Sketch 3D Printer Policy and my signature below indicates my agreement to adhere to these guidelines.
Newbern City Library Social Media Policy
Definition of Social Media
For the purposes of this policy, “Social Media” is defined as any web application, site, or account created and maintained by the Newbern City Library. These include but are not limited to the library website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Purpose
The purpose of this social media policy is to ensure the effective promotion of library services, resources, programs, and events to the public.
Usage Rules
The Newbern City Library welcomes the comments, posts, and messages of the community, and recognizes and respects diversity in opinion. Comments, posts, and messages shared to the library accounts will be periodically reviewed, and the library reserves the right to remove any content it deems inappropriate or off-topic.
When posting to a Newbern City Library media site, the user shall have no expectation of privacy and consents to the library’s right to access, monitor, and read any postings. Users should understand that social media posts are permanent, public, and retrievable.
The Newbern City Library reserves the right to ban or block users who have posted in violation of this policy. Users are expected to abide by the terms and conditions set by third-party social media platforms as well as follow applicable federal and state laws.
The library asks that individual user complaints be addressed specifically to the library so they can be handled more quickly and specifically. Social media is not the mechanism used by the library to document or address user problems and concerns.
Copyright & Privacy Protection
The Newbern City Library will always endeavor to follow copyright, fair use, and invasion of privacy laws.
The library will require employees to receive consent through expressed, implied, or oral consent from those present at each program or event which may be documented on social media:
Postings that involve patrons under the age of 18 must have an approved consent form of content release from the relevant parent or legal guardian. Parents or legal guardians of minors are required to fill out, sign, and date a consent release form before their child can appear in a social media post. Completing the release form is optional. If an individual refuses to complete such a release form, then no media can be produced using any content related to that individual. During large programs, if consent is not granted, the relevant individual(s) may be asked to sit outside the primary photo range.