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 e...
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