Title
Approve and authorize the County Library Director and/or designees, to implement the Library Behavior and Banning Policy for Monterey County Free Libraries. (ADDED VIA ADDENDUM)
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:
Monterey County Free Libraries' mission is to "bring ideas, inspiration, information and enjoyment to our community." The vision of MCFL is "Monterey County is a community where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential and pursue happiness."
Over the years, the role of libraries has evolved into that of community centers and library users often consider libraries a place to interact and socialize. Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) has long had a reputation as an open and friendly institution where everyone is welcomed without regard to their economic, social, cultural situation, or any other factor, beyond the need of the patron to use the library's facilities, services and programs.
In recent years, the MCFL has experienced a significant increase in the number of incidents of inappropriate, threatening, illegal or disruptive behavior.
Library staff are regularly offered training in managing difficult situations with the primary focus being the safety of public and staff. Staff are also trained and expected to try to de-escalate situations, and attempt to safely resolve all situations so that all library users can continue to use library services without disruption. At the most recent annual mandatory Library Staff Day held on May 14, 2015, Retired Police Officer and Head of Security at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Tom Uretsky trained staff on de-escalating and managing difficult situations.
Typically, Library Staff have to intervene in situations of inappropriate, illegal and disruptive behavior to ensur...
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