The Person-In-Charge (PINC) will decide if a person has violated one of the Rules of Conduct, including failure to comply, to the extent that further action needs to be implemented. When safety permits, patrons should be afforded a reasonable opportunity to comply with the directives of the PINC prior to escalating to a suspension as outlined below.

 

In situations where Valley Cottage Library staff members feel that the health, safety or security of library users or staff members are threatened, they may take all appropriate action including, but not limited to, calling the police for assistance. 

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Library staff members may ask a library user to leave the premises with or without warning, depending upon the seriousness of the violation.

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Suspension from the library shall be progressive on repeat offenses with the following escalation:

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First offense: person must leave library premises for the rest of the day.
Second offense: person is suspended from library premises for the period of one month.
Third offense: person is suspended from library premises for the period of one year.

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In the instance of a suspension beyond the first offense the patron or visitor will be sent a formal letter by mail when possible. The PINC will try to note patron’s name and contact information and provide such to the Director. Patrons barred from the library for more than one day must meet with the Director prior to returning to library premises The suspension shall be considered ongoing until such time that a meeting can be arranged and completed. Any patron whose Library privileges are suspended under these rules may appeal to the Library Director or Board of Trustees.

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