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Library Patron
Rights & Responsibilities
| Policy No. 98-15 (Click Policy Number for full text) |
Effective Date: |
October 13, 1998 |
Publicly supported library service is based upon the First Amendment right
of free expression. Leon County maintains a library environment that is conducive to all
users' exercise of their constitutionally protected right to receive information. In order
to protect all library users’ rights of access to library facilities, to ensure the
safety of users and staff, and to protect library resources and facilities from damage,
the Board of County Commissioners imposes the following reasonable restrictions on the
manner of library access and behavior.
- Parents or other adults accompanying minor children are responsible for
those children in the library. The library is not responsible for unattended children.
Parents or other adults accompanying minor children should remain in the library during
scheduled library-sponsored childrens programs.
- Eating and drinking are allowed only in designated areas of the
library.
- Unacceptable Behaviors in the Library
To ensure everyones comfort, safety, and access to library resources
and facilities, the following behaviors are not considered acceptable in the library:
- noise or talking which disturbs others;
- repetitive breaking of library rules for the use of library spaces,
materials, resources, services, facilities or equipment;
- intoxication resulting from the use of alcohol or drugs;
- use of wrong restrooms, or restrooms for bathing;
- soliciting, peddling, or vending, whether in the library or on library
grounds, parking areas, or curtilage;
- fighting;
- harassment; and verbal, visual, or physical abuse of other library
patrons or library staff;
- use of radios or TVs without headphones;
- improper use, destruction or theft of property;
- running and noisy playing;
- possession on library grounds of a weapon, an electric weapon or
device, a firearm, a destructive device or explosive as defined in Chapter 790, Florida
Statutes. The exceptions are law enforcement officers of the 2nd Judicial Circuit and
library security personnel.
- campaigning and petitioning in the library and upon the library
entryways.
- sleeping.
- Patrons who exhibit any of the above unacceptable behaviors will be
asked to stop and may be asked to leave the library if the behavior continues. Failure to
leave the library when asked to do so will subject the person to possible arrest under Ch.
810.08, Florida Statutes, "Trespass in Structure or Conveyance." Persons whose
behavior is disruptive or dangerous may be placed on "Trespass after Warning"
notification with the police.
Library administrative staff may suspend or withdraw library privileges
from anyone exhibiting the above behaviors.
- Patrons engaging in criminal activity as defined by Florida Statutes
are reported immediately to law enforcement authorities.
- Attached to this policy and incorporated herein are "Procedures
for Implementing Patron Rights and Responsibilities Policy," as revised and adopted
by the Board of County Commissioners on October 13, 1998.
Procedures for Implementing Patron Rights and Responsibilities Policy
- Library staff members are responsible for notifying a patron
that his or her behavior is unacceptable. Staff at the main library can call the Security
Guard to talk with the patron if that level of intervention is warranted. Security Guards
are not available at the branches.
- If, after a first warning, the patron does not cease the unacceptable
behavior, he or she may be asked to leave the library for the day. Decisions to ask a
patron to leave the library are made by a library supervisor in consultation with the
Security Guard, when a Security Guard is available. Library supervisors are members of the
library management team or designated staff.
The Tallahassee Police Department (for facilities within the city limits)
or Leon County Sheriff’s Department (for facilities outside the city limits) is
called if a patron refuses to leave the library when asked by staff or Security Guard.
- The Supervisor of the Day and Security are called immediately at the
main library when staff or patrons witness a patron committing an unlawful or dangerous
act or threatening such act. The Security Guard and a library supervisor determine if the
police are called. At the branches, staff calls the appropriate law enforcement agency
immediately.
- The Security Guard, or staff at a branch, complete a Security Report
following incidents in the library. Copies of the report are sent to the Library Director,
Assistant Director, and the supervisor involved. The supervisor involved reviews the
report, initials it or adds comments or a report of her own, and gives it to the library
administrative assistant for copying to the management team.
- Persons who are given a law enforcement "Trespass after
Warning" at the main library should have their picture taken for future reference.
The picture, copy of the trespass notice, and identifying information are to be maintained
in a notebook at the information desk for use by library staff for purposes of identifying
such persons. At the branches, a copy of the trespass notice is kept in the Branch
Manager’s office.
- Persons who do not follow policy and procedure when using library
services but who are not committing acts which warrant Trespass After Warning as the final
activity may be suspended from one or all library services either permanently or for a
period of time determined by Library Administration.
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