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Palmdale City Library Policy 221 - BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT Approved by the Library Board of Trustees May 08, 2024 — Policy Statement: The Rules of Conduct Policy established by the City Council ensures everyone has the right to use Library services and resources provided their behavior does not unreasonably interfere with the rights of others to do the same. Procedures: Library staff rely upon the Rules of Conduct Policy to maintain a safe and orderly library. To enforce the Rules of Conduct, Library staff will follow a series of progressive disciplinary steps. If the offense is serious enough, one violation may result in suspending a patron from the Library for a specified period of time. 1. IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION: Serious incidents that may result in suspension from the Library after the first incident include, but are not limited to: a. Physical assault, threatened assault or severe verbal abuse of a library patron or library staff member; b. Intentional damage to library facilities, materials, or furnishings; c. Theft of library property; d. Any illegal activity that causes serious disruption of library services; e. Possession of weapons; f. Accessing child pornography. 2. PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE: Violations of the Rules of Conduct or other unacceptable behavior which may warrant progressive discipline (documented oral warnings, written warnings, etc.) include, but are not limited to: a. Accessing sexually explicit websites (minors or adults when children are present); b. Tampering with Library computers, equipment, or databases; c. Disruption of any Library activities or programs; d. Failure to follow Library rules as directed by library staff; e. Intimidating others through verbal abuse, profanity, obscene gestures, or other means. f. Destruction, damage or theft of library resources 3. STAFF ACTIONS WHEN BEHAVIOR POLICIES ARE VIOLATED: When there has been a violation of the Rules of Conduct, library staff will document each incident and take appropriate action, which may include: requesting compliance with Library rules, working with parents of disruptive youth, asking the offending person to leave the Library, ---PAGE BREAK--- issuing an official Letter of Warning, calling the local law enforcement resources and/or issuing a Letter of Suspension. WRITTEN WARNING: When a patron or attendee repeatedly violates the Library Rules of Conduct, the Library Director may initiate a Letter of Warning as part of the progressive discipline process. LIBRARY SUSPENSION: When a violation is severe or repeated, offenders of the Rules of Conduct may be suspended from the Library and will receive a Letter of Suspension. The general length of suspension for an adult is one year. The general length of suspension for youth is six months to one year. Written warnings and suspensions are issued by the Library Director and reviewed by the City Liaison. The Police may also be consulted for advice. When necessary, suspensions can be immediately issued by a law enforcement officer or by the Library Director or designee with subsequent review by the City Liaison. Patrons may have their suspension reviewed by filing a written appeal with the Library Director within 14 days of the date of suspension. Appeals will be referred to the Board of Library Trustees at their next open meeting, and the patron will be notified by mail as to the date. Failure to appear before the Board will result in denial of the appeal. The decision of the Board of Library Trustees will be considered final.