Lebanon adopts revised library behavior, safety and fines policies

The City Council adopted a set of updates to library policies recommended by the Library Advisory Committee and the Library Director, covering child safety/behavior, patron conduct, ADA animal guidance and delinquency/fines handling.

Library staff said changes included shortening the time staff will wait with an unclaimed minor after closing from 30 minutes to 15 minutes because two staff must remain; adding language that adults/guardians are responsible for being aware of hours and possible emergency closures; and clarifying ADA animal guidance consistent with the Senior Center policy. The library also aligned smoking rules with park rules for Academy Square, removing the prior 10-foot buffer and prohibiting smoking on building grounds.

On patron conduct, staff added explicit prohibitions on bathing, shaving or washing clothes in restrooms and on bringing bedrolls or bedding into the library to reduce health and pest risks. On long-overdue items, staff added discretion to refuse returns of items declared lost when returning those items years later would be an unfair resolution; the prior practice capped loss charges at a $5 maximum for returned-lost items.

The Library Director said most changes are proactive responses to recurring problems; staff reported limited police involvement for most issues but have called officers for outbursts. Council members asked whether similar policy changes for the Senior Center should be presented to council; staff said they would bring those policies forward as requested.

Council moved to approve the policy changes and the motion passed by voice vote.