|
|
Patron Code of Conduct
The Morton Grove Public Library is dedicated to providing access to knowledge and information through reading, writing, and quiet contemplation, providing patrons the right to use materials and services without being disturbed or impeded, and providing patrons and employees a secure and comfortable environment. The Public Library Act provides the Morton Grove Public Library Board of Trustees with the general power to carry out the spirit and intent of the Act in establishing and maintaining the library and providing library services and the specific power to "exclude from the use of the library any person who willfully violates an ordinance or regulation prescribed."
The Morton Grove Public Library Board of Trustees establishes its Code of Conduct as follows:
Section 1.
A patron who engages in any activity, which materially disrupts the use of Library facilities, collections, or services by patrons or materially disrupts the ability of the staff to perform its duties shall cease such activity immediately upon request by Library personnel. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to
- brawling or fighting;
- disturbing an assembly; or
- engaging in offensive, obscene, abusive, boisterous, harassing, or noisy actions or using offensive, obscene, or abusive language which may harass or arouse alarm, anger, or resentment in others;
- also any action, event, or group of events that constitutes a violation of Federal, State, or Local law.
Section 2.
In such instances involving minors, identification will be requested and the incident may be reported to the parent or guardian.
Section 3.
If, following a request, the patron fails or refuses to comply or responds to the request in an abusive manner, he or she will be required to leave the Library premises immediately for the balance of that calendar day. If he or she fails to leave, the police will be summoned.
Section 4.
Library personnel will record instances in which patrons are required to leave the library in an Occurrence Report. Upon the third recorded instance in which a patron is required to leave the Library premises within a ninety-day period, the Library Director can, without Board action, bar the patron from use of Library premises for a period of up to sixty days. Parents or guardians of minors will be notified in writing after the second recorded instance in which a minor is required to leave the Library and advised of the consequences of any further recorded instances.
Section 5.
Parents wishing to appeal such action may do so upon written request to the Library Board of Trustees.
Section 6.
In the event a patron barred from the use of the Library attempts entry to the library during any such period of exclusion, the police will be summoned.
Section 7.
In the event the patron persists in abusive conduct or disruptive behavior following such a period of exclusion, the Director shall report to the Library Board of Trustees such conduct following prior exclusion and the Board will consider a long-term exclusion of that patron or other legal action.
Section 8.
Nothing in this policy is to prevent the Executive Director or staff of the Morton Grove Public Library from requesting the intervention of the appropriate law enforcement agency when a threat to life, safety, or library property is considered probable.
Section 9.
This Code of Conduct shall take effect immediately upon enactment and approval according to law and be in full force and effect thereafter. A copy shall be posted within three days of enactment at the Library and the secretary shall maintain a certified copy in the official records of the Library available for public inspection.
Approved by the Morton Grove Public Library Board of Trustees, June 8, 2006
|
|
