General Statement of Purpose
The intent of this document is to provide guidance to the staff of Glen Ellyn Public Library in determining appropriate discipline for patron misbehavior while on library grounds.
Legal Basis for Action
Glen Ellyn Public Library’s legal basis for discipline directed toward users of the library is based on two sections of State statute law, relating to the powers and duties of a library board of trustees (ILCS 5/4-7) “Each board of library trustees…shall carry out the spirit and intent of this Act in establishing, supporting and maintaining a public library or libraries for providing library service and, in addition to but without limiting other powers conferred by this Act, shall have the following powers”
- To make and adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations, for their own guidance and for the government of the library as may be expedient, not inconsistent with this Act.
- To exclude from the use of the library any person who willfully violates the rules prescribed by the board.
Delegation of Immediate Response to Library Staff
The Person in Charge (PIC) as an “agent” of the library Board, is empowered to take disciplinary action on behalf of the library, up to and including expulsion from the library.
General Categories of Action
The categories of action available to the staff are
- Verbal warning (see details below) – delivered by staff witnessing the behavior
- Written warning (see details below) – delivered by PIC
- One to seven-day expulsion (see Expulsions / No Trespass Order below) – delivered by PIC
- Longer expulsion (see Expulsions / No Trespass Order below) – subject to the approval of
the Library Director - No Trespass Order (see Expulsions / No Trespass Order below)
Verbal warning
Inform the individual of the inappropriate behavior, sharing with them a copy of the Code of Conduct and referencing the line or lines that pertain to the situation. If the individual or individuals do not correct the inappropriate behavior, politely but firmly ask the individual or individuals to leave. If they do not respond to the request either by correcting the behavior or leaving, again ask them to leave and let them know if they do not conform you will call 911. If they do not respond to the second request, call the police.
Written warning
If an individual has left the building without a staff member informing them of the inappropriate behavior, a written letter should be prepared to be presented to the individual the next time they visit the library. A written warning should include the individual’s name, a description of the inappropriate behavior, a reference to the Code of Conduct infraction and appropriate behavior expected, a printed copy of the Code of Conduct, and a date when the individual may return to the library.
Least Severe Sanction/Proportionality
The library will attempt to levy the least severe sanction on library patrons to gain compliance with acceptable behavior, and in proportion with the severity of the violation of library rules.
Progressive Discipline
If a sanction brought against a particular library patron does not produce acceptable behavior, the intent of the library will be to increase the severity and duration of the subsequent sanctions.
Expulsions / No Trespass Order
In the case of expulsions longer than a single day, the library will prepare and present a written statement of expulsion to the offending party, which will include a description of the inappropriate behavior, any relevant behavioral past history with the library, and a date when reconsideration of their library use status could be requested.
In many instances, the library may request police assistance in delivering this letter, and in turn request the creation of a “no trespass” letter, to be kept on file with the Glen Ellyn Police, which serves as the legal basis for arrest if the individual returns to the library after receiving the notice. If possible, have the Library Director sign the No Trespass Order.
Review of Decision
An individual may immediately request, in writing or by phone, an administrative reconsideration of the expulsion decision. The reconsideration will be conducted by the Library Director, in consultation with the library Board, and will be communicated back to the person in a timely fashion, if patron contact information is available.
Expulsion decision letters will automatically include a date after which future reconsideration will be entertained.
In all cases, the stated period prior to potential reconsideration will not extend beyond one year.
Expelled patrons MUST in all cases request reconsideration, in writing, or by phone, addressed to the Library Director. Persons attempting to visit library property prior to notice of favorable reconsideration will still be subject to the legally enforceable “no trespass order.”
Formally received requests for consideration will be reviewed by library management staff and other staff members involved with the incidents prompting expulsion.
A recommendation for action will be presented to the library Board of Trustees for approval.
The decision will be communicated back to the individual by phone or in writing if contact information is available.
If the decision is favorable to the patron, the Glen Ellyn Police will be informed that the “no trespass” order should be lifted.
If initially unsuccessful, the person may request future reconsiderations of status at one year intervals, from the date of the most recent reconsideration decision.