HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2a - Ordinance No. 2329 Amending Library Rules and Enforcement
DATE:
November 3, 2015
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Mary Beth Hayes, Director of Library & Museum Services
SUBJECT:
ORDINANCE NO. 2329 AMENDING SECTION 4280 OF PART 8,
CHAPTER 2 OF ARTICLE IV OF THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING LIBRARY RULES AND ENFORCEMENT
Recommendation: Introduce
SUMMARY
Existing Arcadia Municipal Code Section 4280 (“AMC 4280”) authorizes the librarian or
other designated person to suspend Library privileges for individuals who violate Library
rules as established by the Library Board of Trustees for a period not to exceed 14
days. The proposed Ordinance amends the Code to increase the consequences for
serious or repeated violations of Library rules by establishing procedures to expel
individuals from the Library for up to one year. An appeals process for individuals
expelled from the Library is also established by this Ordinance.
DISCUSSION
Nearly 500,000 visits are made to the Arcadia Public Library each year. The vast
majority of the visitors comply with the Library Standards of Behavior. A few, however,
violate Library rules to such an extent that they cause major disruption to Library
business and other Library visitors. The most severe consequence currently available
to Library staff is to suspend an individual’s privilege to remain in the Library for a period
not to exceed 14 days. Currently, an individual who has been told to leave can return in
14 days and repeat the same behavior. Expelling an individual from the Library for
successive 14 day periods lacks progressive emphasis and may not be sufficiently
effective to deter a disruptive individual. In addition, there are some violations which are
so egregious that a two week period is not a sufficient penalty.
The proposed Ordinance authorizes the Library Director or a person designated in
writing by the Library Director to suspend for up to one year the Library privileges of
individuals who violate Library rules. The Ordinance defines progressive consequences
for individuals who willfully and persistently violate these rules, in order to protect the
Ordinance No. 2329 amending Library Rules and Enforcement
November 3, 2015
Page 2 of 3
rights and safety of Library visitors, volunteers, and staff, and to protect the Library’s
materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds.
The Arcadia Public Library Board of Trustees reviews Library Standards of Behavior on
an annual basis. The Standards are posted at the front entrance to the Library and at
all public desks. Suspending Library privileges of violators for periods in excess of 14
days will be an effective tool in addressing problem behavior. Violators will be notified
in writing and advised that if they disregard the suspension, they could face prosecution.
Some examples of conduct which would result in suspension of Library privileges
include the following:
Up to 30 days
Loud or disruptive conversations or other disruptive, noisy, or boisterous
behavior
Behaving in a manner which reasonably can be expected to disrupt other
patrons, volunteers, or Library staff
Violated the Standards of Behavior adopted by the Library Board of Trustees
Up to 180 days
Expelled for a period of 30 days each on 2 or more occasions within the prior 12
months
Engaged in any behavior, conduct, or activity which may damage Library
property or pose a threat to other patrons, volunteers, or Library staff and refused
to cease such behavior, conduct, or activity when requested by Library staff
Up to 1 year
Seriously threatened or harassed other patrons, volunteers, or Library staff
verbally or physically
Destroyed, defaced, or illegally removed Library materials or property in violation
of California Education Code 19910
Behaved in any manner prohibited by federal, state, or local law
An appeals process will be established by this amended Ordinance. Any individual
whose Library privileges have been suspended for a period of30 days or less may
appeal the suspension to the Library Director. The Library Director’s decision will be
final and conclusive. Any individual whose Library privileges have been suspended for
a period of more than 30 days may request that the suspension be reviewed by the
Library Director. The decision of the Library Director may be appealed to the Library
Board of Trustees as described in the proposed Ordinance. The decision of the Library
Board of Trustees will be final and conclusive.
Ordinance No. 2329 amending Library Rules and Enforcement
November 3, 2015
Page 3 of 3
FISCAL IMPACT
Ordinance No. 2329 will have minimal fiscal impact. Reprinting the Library Standards of
Behavior for posting at the Library entrance, public desks, and making available printed
copies as handouts will cost approximately $100. No additional budget impacts are
projected.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council introduce Ordinance No. 2329 amending
Section 4280 of Part 8, Chapter 2 of Article IV of the Arcadia Municipal Code regarding
Library Rules and Enforcement.
Attachment: Ordinance No. 2329