Procedures-Patron Code of Conduct

1. A patron who violates the Patron Code of Conduct shall cease such activity upon request by Library personnel. If the behavior continues or the patron responds in an abusive fashion, he or she may be asked to leave the Library property immediately. If necessary the police will be called and an Incident Report completed. In instances involving minors, the incident may be reported to the parent or guardian.

2. If the patron’s Code of Conduct violations have required staff intervention on more than one occasion, a 7-day suspension may be issued. Violent behavior will result in a suspension of 30 days minimum. In such cases, if the Library has an address on file, a letter explaining the suspension will be mailed to the patron’s home, and an incident report will be completed. If the patron is a minor, the letter will be mailed to the attention of his/her parent or guardian. Copies of both letters sent and incident reports will be kept on file with the Library Director. At the Library management’s discretion, suspended minors may be allowed to use the Library during their suspension provided a parent or guardian supervises them.

3. If a patron, who has been suspended within the last 12 months, again violates the Code of Conduct, he or she may be suspended for a period of 30 days. In such cases, if the Library has an address on file, a letter explaining the suspension will be mailed to the patron’s home. If the patron is a minor, the letter will be mailed to the attention of his/her parent or guardian. Copies of letters sent or a record of the incident will be kept on file with the Library Director. At the Library management’s discretion, suspended minors may be allowed to use the Library during their suspension provided a parent or guardian supervises them.

4. If a patron is suspended a third time, within a 12-month period, he/she may be suspended for 12 months. The Library Director will notify the Library Board of any 12-month suspensions.

5. Patrons wishing to appeal a suspension may do so upon written request to the Library Director.

6. In the event a patron suspended from the use of the Library attempts entry to the Library and its grounds during any such period of suspension, the police will be summoned.

7. Should the patron persists in abusive conduct or disruptive behavior following a twelve month exclusion, the Director shall report to the Board of Library Trustees such conduct and the Board will consider a long-term exclusion of that patron.

Management July 2010