Marathon County Public Library

ITEM NUMBER: 7.57 a-d

CHAPTER 8: Administrative

Management

CODE: Policy

COMPUTER ID: AMPRO-57



Title: Behavior in the Library Policy; Banning Form

Effective Date: 2-2002

Authorized By: Library Director

Date of Last Revision: 12-2014



BEHAVIOR IN THE LIBRARY POLICY



Purpose:

Marathon County Public Library has established this Behavior in the Library Policy to

ensure that library facilities are safe, welcoming and provide equitable access to

materials and services for all library users.

Overview and Definitions:

No individual may engage in inappropriate conduct on the premises of Marathon County

Public Library, or when using library facilities, or when participating in library programs.

Inappropriate conduct includes any individual or group activity which is unreasonably

disturbing to other individuals lawfully using library facilities, materials and/or premises

or is otherwise inconsistent with activities such as reading, studying, properly using

library materials and other similar conduct normally associated with a public library.

When possible, staff will first educate individuals about the applicable policies before

taking stronger measures to enforce those policies.

Inappropriate Behavior, shall include the following conduct or behaviors

Committing or attempting to commit any activity that would constitute a crime or a

violation of City or County ordinances.

Breaching the peace of customers or employees.

Possessing, selling, distributing, displaying or using any dangerous weapon as

that term is defined in Wis. Stats. sec. 939.22(10) upon library premises or using

or threatening the use of any other object in such a manner that it may be

considered a weapon.

Engaging in any physically intimidating or assaultive behavior. Making any

threats of violence or unlawful activities.

Possessing, selling, distributing, consuming or being under the influence of any

alcoholic beverage or controlled substance.

Entering or remaining on library premises after having been notified by an

authorized individual not to do so, and entering or remaining on the Library

premises during the period in which an individual has been banned from the

premises.



ITEM NUMBER: 7.57 b





Refusing to follow the reasonable directions of library staff to include, failing to

take shelter in an emergency as directed by staff.

Engaging in any behavior that a reasonable person would find to be disruptive,

harassing, or threatening in nature to library users or staff including stalking,

prolonged staring at or following another with the intent to annoy or intentionally

behaving in a manner that could reasonably be expected to annoy or disturb

other patrons.

Leaving children under the age of 8 unattended on Library premises. (See Item

Number 8.21-concerning the Unattended Customer Policy)

Engaging in any sexual contact, activities or conduct.

Selling, soliciting, surveying, distributing written materials, panhandling or

canvassing for any political, charitable or religious purposes inside a library

building, doorway or vestibule without prior authorization of the Library Director or

designee.

Smoking, vaporizing (E-Cigarettes), or other use of tobacco products.

Sleeping, napping or dozing in or on library premises.

Engaging in excessive or disruptive conversations, talking loudly, using personal

electronic equipment at such a volume or making ongoing noise that is

unreasonably disturbing to other library users.

Not wearing shoes or shirt within the library.

Entering or remaining upon library premises with a bodily hygiene so offensive

that it constitutes a nuisance to others.

Moving furniture without the express consent of the Library staff or use of

furniture in any manner that may damage the furniture, to include placing feet on

the furniture.

Using library materials, furniture, equipment or facilities in any manner

inconsistent with the customary use thereof or the theft or intentional damaging

of library materials, furniture, equipment or facilities.

Bringing any animal into the library except service animals.

Entering non-public areas of the library without permission.

Improperly using library restrooms or facilities for purposes such as bathing,

shaving or changing clothes.

Taking library materials into rest rooms.

Engaging in any other activities that are inconsistent with those activities

normally associated with the use of public library facilities that include reading,

studying, and using library materials.

Violating the library's rules for acceptable use of the internet and library public

computers. A user accepts these rules before accessing the Internet through a

library computer. Copies of these rules will be made available by staff upon

request.



ITEM NUMBER: 7.57 c





Staff Response to Infractions:

Violation of one or more of the rules constituting inappropriate behavior listed above

shall constitute misconduct that can result in expulsion from the library and forfeiture of

library privileges. The Library has a zero tolerance policy for threats and acts of

violence. Any person engaging in such behaviors will be immediately expelled from the

Library. Any conduct that threatens the life or safety of any person or that is damaging

to library property, equipment or facilities may result in immediate expulsion from the

library premises.

Minor violations of these rules will first result in library staff attempting to educate or

warn individuals about policies and enforcement. Repeat misconduct or severe

offenses (even in a single isolated event) may result in individuals being banned from

the Library for a minimum of one day to a maximum of one year. Library staff will follow

the banning procedure set forth below. Library staff are authorized to contact law

enforcement in response to any illegal behavior or in the event an individual refuses to

leave the library when expelled.

Banning Procedure:

After staff determine that a person has engaged in severe or repeat misconduct and

staff has determined that the individual involved should be banned:

Staff will issue, or cause to be issued, a written ban notice (Item Number 8.19d) to the

individual involved notifying the individual that they are banned from all Marathon

County Public Libraries. The notice shall indicate the reasons for the ban and the time

period of the ban.

If the customer is a minor, a copy of the Ban Notice will be sent to the parent.



All Notice of Ban forms with all documentation will be given to the Library Director within

24 hours of the banning action.



The Director has the power to affirm, modify, or revoke any suspension or banning.

Non-compliance with Ban -

If any person named in a Ban Notice enters any Marathon County Library before the

return date listed on the Ban Notice, he or she will be asked to leave. Refusal to leave

shall result in contact with law enforcement and prosecution according to law.

PUBLIC LIBRARY

MARATHON COUNTY

ITEM UMBER: 7.57 d











NOTICE OF BAN - MARATHON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

LIBRARIES IN: Athens, Edgar, Hatley, Marathon, Mosinee, Rothschild, Spencer, Stratford, Wausau





Last Name:_______________ First Name:______________ Middle name___________



Date of birth:__________________________________ Age______________________



Street Address:________________________________________________________



City________________________ State_________________ Zip__________________



Phone number:_________________________________________________________



Library card number:_____________________________________________________



Parents' (If under 18 years of age)__________________________________________



Parents' home phone: _________________ Work phone______________________



On_____________________, at _____________________AM/PM you were warned

that you violated the rules of behavior or committed other serious offenses at the library.



Reason for ban: ________________________________________________________



You are evicted from the library for a period of:

1 Day 7 Days 30 days 3 months6 months 1 Year

(please check one)



The first date that you may return to the library is: ______________________________



If you enter the Library before the date printed above, the Library staff will call the

police.

Because of the behavior listed above, and/or other history of inappropriate behavioral

conduct at any Marathon County Public Library, you are banned from all Marathon

County Public Libraries until the date shown above. If you enter any Marathon County

Public library before the return date shown above, police will be called and you will

subject to being arrested for trespassing under Wausau City Ordinance or ordinance

appropriate to the municipality in which the branch library is located.



This eviction notice includes the following areas:



Staff person issuing this form: _____________________________________________



Date and time: _________________________________________________________



A photo may be attached to this notice. A copy will be sent to the local police.