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Appleton Public Library reports 65 incidents since opening of new building; staff note majority are harassment/threats
Summary
Library staff presented a safety and security report covering February (building opening) through June that logged 65 incidents; most entries were labeled threats or harassment, staff reported 33 calls to police and said part‑time in‑house security and cooperation with Appleton Police Department are working well.
Appleton Public Library staff presented a safety and security report at the Aug. 19 Board of Trustees meeting showing 65 documented incidents between the building’s opening in February and the end of June.
Staff said incident records are maintained in the Patron Incident Tracking System (PITS) and that entries are not double‑counted; each recorded incident was placed in a single category for the board report. Staff said the categories include threats/harassment, disruption, intoxication, sleeping, medical incidents, potential theft, fighting and property damage.
According to staff presentation: 65 total incidents were recorded in that span; staff made 33 calls to the Appleton Police Department; there have been two incidents classified as fighting; six incidents where patrons were documented sleeping; five medical incidents; and seven instances where restricted patrons returned to the library after being notified of a restriction. Staff also said there were incidents of damage to library property that prompted restriction and police involvement.
Staff described how the library balances civil‑use rights and safety: “It is a civil right to use the library,” a staff presenter said, and restrictions are treated as a last resort except in major egregious cases. The library uses a progressive approach that emphasizes staff warnings and de‑escalation; restrictions are applied when behavior does not improve or when property damage or threats occur.
Staff said the library now employs part‑time, in‑house security guards and that the arrangement has reduced turnover among guards and improved continuity in interactions with patrons. Staff praised the Appleton Police Department for responsiveness and said police calls are documented in PITS.
No vote or formal policy change was taken at the meeting; staff indicated the board would receive the safety report twice a year and that staff will continue to monitor incident trends and restrictions.
