Trustees adopt revised library behavior policy with tiered suspensions and appeal process
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Summary
The Board of Library Trustees approved an edited library behavior policy at its June 16 meeting that adds first/second/third-offense suspension lengths tied to California Penal Code and city code references, and directs staff to post expected-behavior signage and provide appeal information to suspended users.
The Mountain View Board of Library Trustees on June 16 approved a revised Library Behavior Policy that adds explicit offense levels and corresponding suspension lengths and ties behavior categories to state penal code and city code citations.
Library Director Tracy Gray told trustees the city attorney’s office consolidated and reformatted the policy, adding first-, second- and third-offense suspension lengths for certain violations. Gray said, for example, that a physical altercation would carry a one-year suspension for a first offense and progressively longer suspensions thereafter under the new structure. “They added that, into the policy, and then the levels,” she said.
The edited policy groups violations into tiers (minor, moderate, major) and attaches applicable state or municipal code references. The policy also clarifies staff procedures, including issuing warnings and offering appeals. Gray said staff plan to post welcoming entrance signage listing expected behaviors and to make the full policy and an appeal form available at the entrance. Regarding the appeal timeline, Gray said the policy requires completed appeal forms to be received within 10 days and that the library will accept emailed PDFs in practice.
Trustees asked about suspension frequency and operational responsibility. Gray said most suspensions are short (daily to weekly) and that “in this fiscal year, just 1” longer suspension occurred; she added that staff try to keep sanctions equitable and consult with the city attorney on significant, year-long suspensions. Security staff and library leads coordinate enforcement, and Gray said the library uses a software system to record incidents so that in-charge staff receive notifications when a suspension is in effect.
Following discussion and no public comment, a motion to adopt the revised behavior policy was seconded and approved by roll call. Vice Chair Khalid Abasta, Board Member Sharon Su and Board Member Barbara Wiesen Baer each voted to approve the policy. The board directed staff to implement the posting and notification steps described in the policy.
The policy establishes a suspension appeal process and describes staff duties for issuing warnings and documenting incidents; Gray said significant suspensions are reviewed with the city attorney prior to issuance.
Votes at a glance: - Adoption of revised Library Behavior Policy — Outcome: approved (roll-call: Vice Chair Khalid Abasta — yes; Board Member Sharon Su — yes; Board Member Barbara Wiesen Baer — yes).
