Title
Approve and Authorize the County Library Director and/or Designees, to implement the Library Behavior and Banning Policy for Monterey County Free Libraries.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Approve and Authorize the County Library Director and/or Designees, to implement the Library Behavior and Banning Policy for Monterey County Free Libraries.
SUMMARY:
Over the years, the role of libraries has evolved into community centers and library users also consider libraries a place to interact and socialize. In the recent years, the Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) have experienced a significant increase in the number of incidents of inappropriate, illegal and disruptive behavior. Library Staff have had to interfere to ensure the rights and safety of patrons and staff. Law enforcement had been called upon to enforce library rules and stop illegal activity. The proposed policies provide Staff and patrons specific guidelines on what is expected as appropriate behavior in the Libraries, and possible consequences for inappropriate behavior.
DISCUSSION:
A large segment of the population that Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) serves, depends on the library as a place for information, free access to computers and the internet, and a safe place for children, youth and adults to spend time away from home and get homework help, a place for entertainment, exposure to cultural programming and arts, etc. The proposed policies promote the MCFL as an appropriate community use space and are in line with MCFL's mission to bring ideas, inspiration, information and enjoyment to the community. MCFL is dedicated to providing a welcoming, pleasant and safe environment for all. MCFL, under the direction of the Library Director and/or his/her Designees, determines the rules and regulations for public behavior in its facilities. These rules are necessary to protect the rights of individuals to safely use and enjoy Library property, materials, and facilities; to protect Library property, materials, and facilities from harm; and to ensure the rights and safety of all Library users, staff and volunteers.
The Behavior Policy will enable MCFL staff to prohibit individuals from engaging in illegal, threatening, or disruptive behavior on Library premises. Any individuals violating these rules or disrupting Library service may be temporarily or permanently banned from Library premises. Staff may take any and all appropriate actions including, but not limited to, asking Library users to leave the premises and/or calling law enforcement to enforce Library rules and/or protect Library users, staff, volunteers and/or property. Examples of prohibited behavior are outlined in the Inappropriate Behavior in the Library guidelines. The Behavior Policy also allows for the suspension of juveniles and individuals who cannot follow library rules or look after themselves.
The Behavior Policy enables MCFL staff to temporarily or permanently ban any individual who repeatedly displays inappropriate behavior, threatens themselves/others, disrupts the ability of others to use Library facilities or resources, engages in illegal activity, or seriously violates behavior guidelines. Banning may be limited to one or more of all MCFL facilities. Any library user who is banned has the right to appeal such determination to the Library Director as specified in the policy.
The proposed policies will be periodically reviewed and modified by the Library Director and/or his/her Designees. If there are substantial changes they will be brought back to the Board.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed the policies and is in support of this recommendation.
FINANCING:
The proposed policies has no anticipated cost effect on the Department or on the County General Fund.
Prepared by: Jacqueline C. Bleisch, Administrative Services Assistant, (831)883-7569
Approved by: Jayanti G. Addleman, County Library Director, (831)883-7566
Cc: County Counsel Office
Attachments:
Library Behavior Policy
Inappropriate Behavior in the Library
Notice of Banning
Notice of Banning to Guardian on Record of a Juvenile/Person
Banning Appeal Letter