Library committee approves updated code of conduct, outlines suspension process

Library staff presented an updated code of conduct for review and said legal counsel had approved the changes.

The staff member told the committee the update added several specific prohibitions — including clothing and hygiene concerns, sleeping, excessive noise, and misuse of furniture — and included a separate, stricter set of rules for the children’s area to keep families and children safe. "We have on the back a separate set of rules for the children's room alone specifically," the staff member said.

On enforcement, staff said the library will rely on police when they are on site and on library staff otherwise. The committee was told that, once approved, the library will implement a standardized suspension letter developed with the city attorney’s office and apply stepped suspension durations (30, 60, 90 days or up to a year) depending on severity. "It won't be like 1 and done unless it's something very egregious," the staff member said.

Committee members asked for clarifications about specific items (covered drinks, folding bicycles, skateboards and service animals) and staff provided case-by-case guidance; the committee also discussed how the policy would be posted and communicated. Staff said the policies will be posted at the library entrance, throughout the building and on the library website so patrons can review them before incidents are escalated.

The transcript records committee assent to moving the policy forward; no formal roll-call vote was captured in the excerpt.