The New Lenox Public Library District is dedicated to providing access to knowledge and information through reading, writing, and quiet contemplation, providing patrons the right to use materials and services without being disturbed or impeded, and providing patrons and staff a secure and comfortable environment. Therefore, the Board of Trustees of the New Lenox Public Library District establishes its patron behavior policy as follows:
A patron who engages in any activity which materially disrupts the use of library facilities, collections, or services by patrons or materially disrupts the ability of the staff to perform its duties as determined by library staff shall cease such activity immediately upon request by library personnel
Some activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Overt signs of substance abuse, including drunkenness
- Overt sexual behavior
- Bringing weapons, simulated or real, into the Library*
- Using skateboards or skates
- Loitering, fighting or other rowdy behavior
- Dressing inappropriately or in clothing that offends, disrupts or disturbs, or is ‘gang related’ or creates a disturbance in the Library
- Abuse or destruction of library property
- Excessive noise from large groups of people or sound-generating devices
- Soliciting for donations, purchases, etc. or passing petitions, surveys, etc.
- Acting or speaking in a confrontational, threatening or abusive manner to other patrons or staff
In such instances involving minors, identification will be requested and the incident may be reported to the parent or guardian.
If, following a request, the patron fails or refuses to comply or responds to the request in an abusive fashion, he or she will be required to leave the library premises immediately for the balance of that calendar day. If he or she fails to leave, the police will be summoned.
Library personnel will inform the Executive Director whenever there are instances in which patrons are required to leave the premises and will fill out an Incident Report for each occurrence and submit one copy to the department manager and one to the Executive Director. Upon the third instance in which a patron is required to leave the Library premises within a 30-day period, the Executive Director shall bar the patron from use of the Library premises for a period of 30 days. Parents or guardians of minors will be notified in writing after the third recorded instance in which a minor is required to leave the Library and advised of the consequences of any further recorded instances. The length of exclusion or number of incidences required may be adjusted at the sole discretion of the Executive Director based on the severity of the incidents. Parents wishing to appeal such action may do so upon written request to the Board of Trustees.
In the event a patron barred from the use of the Library attempts entry to the Library during any such period of exclusion, the police will be summoned and informed of the prior action.
In the event the patron persists in abusive conduct or disruptive behavior following such a period of exclusion, the Executive Director shall report to the Board of Trustees such conduct following prior exclusion and the Board will consider a long-term or permanent exclusion of that patron, as exclusion of certain persons from the Library is permitted under 75 ILCS 16/30-55.55.
*Illinois state law prohibits even a person with a license to carry a concealed firearm from knowingly carrying a firearm on or into any building, real property, or parking area under the control of a public library. Consistent therewith, the New Lenox Public Library District prohibits the carrying of any firearm, openly, concealed, or partially concealed, in the library building or on library property, except (a) by an on-duty law enforcement person, or (b) as specifically authorized by the Executive Director in connection with a program being held on Library property. Any violators will be reported to law enforcement and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Firearm prohibition signs in the form approve by the state police will be posted at the entrances of the building.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees January 11, 1999; Revised January 10 2005; Updated September 8, 2008; Updated March 9, 2009; Updated May 10, 2010; Updated August 8, 2011; Updated April 21, 2014; Updated December 11, 2017; Updated November 12, 2024