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List:       publib
Subject:    Re: [PubLib] loitering etc.
From:       Tiffany Hayes <thayes () CUMBERLAND ! LIB ! NC ! US>
Date:       2012-08-29 15:33:51
Message-ID: 1C03E8324072424081A008C52A84B1840102B9B4D663 () email ! cumberland ! lib ! nc ! us
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We usually classify it as our rule prohibiting "Engaging in disorderly conduct, committing a nuisance, such as repeatedly following or intimidating customers or staff, or otherwise unreasonably disturbing or offending library users or staff."  (Full list of policies page 6 here:  http://www.cumberland.lib.nc.us/aboutus/pdf/LibraryProcedures/Section%206%20-%20Miscellaneous%20Policies.pdf)  It's a muddy area for sure, but that's to our advantage, really--if they're disturbing staff or customers, we have the right to kick them out.  Now, having said that, in the example you gave, if someone is staring at a staff member or customer, or repeatedly asking out someone on staff, the person in charge would have a chat with the offender.  But if someone is just sitting in a chair mumbling quietly, are they unreasonably disturbing anyone?  I'd say no.  We have a fair number of people who do that, and the only reason we would kick them out for that is if they were muttering obscenities or speaking loudly enough to be disruptive to those around them.  This would be no different from a business person speaking on a cell phone or a mother and child sitting together talking, for example.  We go by what they're saying and how loudly.  

Tiffany Hayes, Library Training Coordinator
Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center
910-483-7727 ext. 108
thayes@cumberland.lib.nc.us
_______________________________________________________________________
From: Bayne, GiGi [mailto:GBayne@cortn.org]=20
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 12:59 PM
To: publib; Christine Hage
Subject: RE: loitering etc.
I have a question for the collective wisdom...excuse any cross postings...d=
o any of you have a behavioral policy for the public that addresses loiteri=
ng and harassment of staff? Some instances are pretty clear....if a patron =
tells a female employee she's hot or tries to touch her hand during check o=
ut...or something similar...other areas are muddier...like the patron who s=
tares at shelvers but never says a word, or asks out a staff member--repeat=
edly...or the person who comes to the Library and sits in a chair mumbling =
quietly for hours without using any Library resources (except the chair and=
 the air conditioning). We have policies addressing violence, obscene langu=
age, destruction of property...but this is something outside that realm.
We want to be inclusive rather than exclusive. In addition, employees need =
to feel safe when they are here, and they need to be able to concentrate on=
 their work...so, how do you curb some of these behaviors.... any ideas? An=
y policies in place at your libraries that directly address this? Do you mi=
nd sharing them?

Sincerely,

Virginia Bayne (GiGi)
Circulation Librarian            Email: gbayne@cortn.org
Oak Ridge Public Library     Phone: (865) 425-3455
1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike    Fax: (865) 425-3429
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
"A library is richer than Fort Knox and everybody has the key."
----Robert Morgan, author
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