1. When an individual's behavior is so disruptive or offensive that he/she is asked to leave the library for the day, the name, description and offense are written on the “Sanctions” clipboard at the Reference Desk. Any staff member is empowered to request that a patron leave library property immediately for such an offense. This event must be reported to Reference staff on duty immediately. Examples of behavior warranting being asked to leave for the day include loud talking or laughing after being warned and the use of foul language in a non-threatening manner. The individual who is being sanctioned must provide staff with an accurate name or further sanctions will apply.

2. An individual who is asked to leave the library for the day 3 times in any 12 month period (and does not act out during the leaving process) is then banned from the library premises for 3 months. Exceptions will be made to the banning for students through grade 12, who may enter the library only to work on school assignments and only with a parent or guardian at their side.

3. If an individual who is banned from the library comes onto the library premises during their banned period, an additional month is added to the banned period.

4. The following measures apply to individuals committing a serious offense (assault, threats, major disruptive behavior such as repeated yelling or loud foul language, theft, refusing to leave after an infraction, etc.):
a. Such individuals must provide an accurate name and address and will be informed when told to leave that they are sanctioned for at least one month and will be receiving a letter indicating when they may again come onto the library premises and the conditions for future library use. (See subparagraph (f) below.)
b. Individuals who refuse to provide an accurate name and address will not be permitted on the library premises. If they come onto the library premises, the police will be called and they may be prosecuted as a defiant trespasser. If, at a later date, they do provide an accurate name and address, their minimum 1-month sanction begins from that date and steps c & d below will be followed.
c. The staff who handles the ejection will discuss the offense(s) with the Head of Reference and/or the Director, and an appropriate length of sanction will be chosen according to the offense committed and any prior offenses. (Point #3 above applies.)
d. Appropriate information concerning the offense(s) and resulting sanction should be emailed to everyone and recorded on the Sanctions Clipboard at the Information Desk.
e. Exceptions may be made to the banning, on a case by case basis, for students through grade 12 who may enter the library only to work on school assignments and only with a parent or guardian at their side. Such exceptions will be made at the discretion of the Library Director and will be outlined in the letter sent to the student.
f. If an individual who has already been banned for 3 months commits another offense during or after the banned period is over, the new sanction will be decided by the Library Director.

5. The parent or guardian of any juvenile who has received a sanction of 3 months or more will be required to meet with the Library Director and his/her child for a discussion of the behavioral standards of the library before the juvenile will be permitted on the library premises again.

6. The parent or guardian of a juvenile who receives a sanction of 3 months or more may appeal that sanction by submitting a written appeal explaining why the sanction is not warranted. The appeal must be submitted to the Library Board at lease two weeks prior to the Board’s scheduled monthly meeting in order to be placed on the agenda. The appeal must specify all disputed material facts and issues to be raised at the meeting and must present all arguments the Board should consider. If the appeal fails to set forth any disputed facts, the appeal will be denied and the proposed sanction will become effective on a date specified by the Board or the Library, and will constitute the Board's final decision in this matter. The presence of the individual filing the appeal shall not be required.

Approved by Library Board of Trustees
February 22, 2007