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Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) to clarify the City’s authority to enforce the Long Beach Public Library Patron Rules of Conduct (Library Rules) in all Library facilities and on all Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) property. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The LBPL maintains safe and welcoming environments for all LBPL patrons by enforcing Patron Rules of Conduct, also known as Library Rules. Public libraries throughout the country use codes or rules of conduct to define acceptable behaviors by patrons who visit library buildings. Examples of provisions within the LBPL Rules of Conduct include: no loud noises or other disturbances; no sleeping or lying on the floor or furniture; consuming alcohol or exhibiting signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited; and, no physical fighting. The Rules of Conduct are posted in all LBPL facilities and are available on the LBPL website. Primary responsibility for enforcement of Library Rules falls on LBPL staff. When staff is faced with egregious patron noncompliance, LBPB staff will enlist the support of security and/or the Police Department.
The Rules of Conduct were updated and revised in late 2019 in partnership with the City Attorney’s Office to define its provisions more clearly and to include defined consequences for rule violations. Consequences for rule infractions vary commensurate to the severity of the situation, and usually involve a temporary suspension of library privileges for a minimum of one day for minor infractions, to up to one year for severe violations. Grievous infractions involving verbal or physical violence against patrons or staff or violation of state and federal laws usually result in one-year library privilege suspensions. Losses of library privileges are documented and communicated to patrons via a written letter which the Library Services Department (Department) refers to as a “library ban” or “b...
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