Melrose Park Public Library Suspension Of Library Privileges And Patron Ban Policy

Melrose Park Public Library Suspension Of Library Privileges And Patron Ban Policy

The Melrose Park Public Library strives to strives to maintain a safe and welcoming space for patrons and staff. Toward that end, the Board has adopted two policies that address disruptive patron behavior: Patron Rules of Behavior and Patron Technology. The Illinois Local Library Act authorizes a library board of trustees to “exclude from the use of the library any person who willfully (sic) violates the rules prescribed by the board.” 75 ILCS 5/4-7(11). The Board authorizes the Melrose Park Public Library staff to enforce the policy contained herein if a patron engages in behavior that violates the Melrose Park Public Library policy.

All Melrose Park Public Library staff are trained to address patron behavior that violates the Melrose Park Public Library policy and disrupts others' use of Melrose Park Public Library property and/or may create an unsafe environment. The Director, managers, and degreed librarians receive Person-in-Charge (“PIC”) training, including how to handle patron behavior issues, when to contact emergency services, and when to ask a patron to leave the building. There is at least one PIC at Melrose Park Public Library during all hours of operation.

Consequences for Violation of Patron Rules of Behavior Policy

1. If a patron engages in a serious violation of the Patron Rules of Behavior Policy as determined

by the PIC:

• a. The PIC will inform the police and ask them to remove the patron from the Melrose Park Public Library, and
• b. The Director will ban the patron from the Melrose Park Public Library and may ask the police to issue a criminal trespass warning against them.

2. For all other violations of the Code of Conduct:

• a. First violation: The Melrose Park Public Library staff will inform the patron that their behavior or activity is in violation of the Patron Rules and Behavior Policy and must cease.
• b. Second or continuing violation: The PIC will inform the patron that they will be banned from the Melrose Park Public Library for the remainder of the day if they continue to violate the Patron Rules and Behavior Policy.
• c. Third or continuing violation: The PIC will ban the patron from the Melrose Park Public Library for up to 3 months.
• d. If a patron violates a ban or violates the Patron Rules and Behavior Policy, the Director will ban the patron from the Melrose Park Public Library and may ask the police to issue a criminal trespass warning against them.

Consequences for Violation of Patron Technology Policy

1. If a patron’s use of the Melrose Park Public Library computer equipment is in violation of local, state, or federal law, including destroying or damaging the Melrose Park Public Library computer equipment or software:

• a. The PIC will inform the police and ask them to remove the patron from the Library, and
• b. The Director will ban the patron from Melrose Park Public Library and may ask the police to issue a criminal trespass warning against them.

2. For all other violations of the Patron Technology Policy:

• a. First violation: The Melrose Park Public Library staff will inform the patron that their behavior or activity is in violation of the Patron Technology Policy and must cease.
• b. Second or continuing violation: The PIC will inform the patron that they will be banned from Melrose Park Public Library for the remainder of the day.
• c. Third or continuing violation: The PIC will ban the patron from Melrose Park Public Library for up to 3 months.
• e. If a patron violates a ban, violates their suspension from computer privileges, or violates the Patron Technology Policy after their computer privileges have been restored, the Director will ban the patron from Melrose Park Public and may ask the police to issue a criminal trespass warning against them.

Minor Patron

The consequences for violations of the Patron Rules and Behavior Policy Patron or Patron Technology Policy apply to minor patrons. In addition, if a minor patron engages in a serious violation or in repeated lesser violations of the Melrose Park Public Library policy, the Director or PIC may contact the minor’s parents or guardians and inform them of the minor’s violation of the Melrose Park Public Library policy. The Director or PIC also may contact the police and ask them to contact the minor and/or their parents or guardians.

Law Enforcement

It is the policy of the Melrose Park Public Library to authorize employees to call upon local law enforcement personnel as necessary to ensure compliance with the Melrose Park Public Library policies and to sign any complaint or other documentation required for enforcement of those policies. A patron’s failure to abide by a criminal trespass warning may lead to arrest and criminal prosecution.

Ban and Appeal Procedures

Violators of the Melrose Park Public Library policy will be shown a copy of the relevant policy and a copy of this policy at the time a suspension or ban is issued and will be advised of the next course of action to be taken by the Melrose Park Public Library if the patron continues to violate the Melrose Park Public Library policy. The Melrose Park Public Library staff has the right to request identification of any person on the Melrose Park Public Library property who is violating the Melrose Park Public Library policy; if such person declines to provide such identification, the Melrose Park Public Library staff may call the police to escort such person from the Melrose Park Public Library property.

If the Director imposes a ban on a patron for more than one day, the Director will write a letter outlining the reasons for the ban and the end date of the ban. The letter will be hand delivered to the patron at the Melrose Park Public Library or mailed to the patron’s home address if known. The effective date of the ban is the date the letter is hand delivered or mailed. The patron may appeal their ban in writing to the Library Board within 30 days of the effective date of the ban. The appeal must include the patron’s current address. If the patron is a minor, the appeal letter also must include the signature of a parent or guardian. At the next regular Board meeting that is at least 30 days after receipt of the written appeal to the Board, the Board will consider whether to affirm, modify, or rescind the ban. The Board will inform the patron of its decision within 10 days of its meeting. Any decision of the Board is final.

If a patron is banned for less than one year, the ban will end automatically on the end date specified in the Director’s letter imposing the ban. If a patron is banned for one year or longer, the patron must petition the Board in writing no earlier than 30 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the effective date of the ban explaining why their Melrose Park Library privileges should be reinstated; the Board must vote to reinstate the patron’s privileges before such privileges will be restored. The Board will consider the reinstatement request at its next regular meeting that occurs at least 30 days after receipt of the written request for reinstatement and will inform the patron of its decision within 10 days of its meeting. If the Board rejects the reinstatement request, the ban will continue for an additional year from the date of the Board’s decision at which time the patron may again petition the Board for reinstatement of their Melrose Park Public Library privileges. Any decision of the Board is final.