HomeMy WebLinkAbout10 - Council Policy I-7 - Use of NBPLCIIT�Y�OF REACH
City Council Staff Report Agenda Item No. 10
July 10, 2012
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Library Services Department
Cynthia Cowell, Library Services Director
949 - 717 -3801, ccowell @newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Elaine McMillian
APPROVED:Z�an r�
NJ
TITLE: LIBRARY STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL -
LIBRARY SERVICES POLICY 1 -7 -"USE OF THE NEWPORT
BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY"
ABSTRACT:
The Newport Beach Public Library serves the general public by providing services and
events to all who enter, by prohibiting inappropriate use of the Library through disruption
or inconsistency as noted in the attached Library policy.
Staff is requesting City Council's approval of revisions as presented on the attached
policy, and as approved by the Board of Library Trustees at their December 5, 2011
Board Meeting, and by the City Attorney's office on December 22, 2011.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
No funding requirements.
DISCUSSION:
The Newport Beach Public Library is a widely -used public facility that provides the
community with many valuable services and resources. The attached policy takes into
consideration the vast diversity of our customers and attempts to best serve all who use
the Central Library, and the Corona del Mar, Balboa and Mariners branch libraries.
One of the Library's goals is to provide customers the best resources and services
possible by providing customer comment forms. Every suggestion received from
Library customers regarding the Library's collections, catalog, programming, website
LIBRARY STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL
OF CITY COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL - LIBRARY SERVICES POLICY 1 -7 - "USE OF
THE NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY"
July 10, 2012
Page 2
and facilities is addressed, and this practice has enabled Library staff to make service
enhancements where needed. Many of these comments regard Individuals who leave
their wheeled conveyances, shopping carts, or bicycles parked outside of the Library
near entry-ways, chained to light fixtures, doors, and plants around the Library rather
than in the designated bicycle racks. This has caused damage to the granite walls and
plants outside of the Central Library and Is also a safety hazard to others who may trip
or fall while entering and exiting all Library facilities. Adequate bicycle racks are
provided at each facility, and space surrounding them Is also adequate for the parking
of shopping carts, luggage, and packages which exceed the stated allowable
measurements.
Another concern is that some customers frequently use the Library's furniture for
sleeping or taking up more than the intended space by reclining on furniture.
Customers who frequent the Library and continue to misuse the facilities have
challenged the Library's current written policy, stating that their behaviors are
acceptable because there is no policy stating anything to the contrary. By revising the
policy, staff is abfe to facilitate resolution to these issues as they arise. The revisions to
this policy will help maintain a positive and safe environment, thereby allowing all who
enter to enjoy their time at the Library.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action Is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act ( "CEQK) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will
not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378)
of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it
has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or
indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
S ed by: C�i$Zti�CN�
Cy is Cowell
Library Services Director
LIBRARY STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL
OF CITY COUNCIL POLICY MANUAL - LIBRARY SERVICES POLICY 1 -7 - "USE OF
THE NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY°
July 10, 2012
Page 3
Attachments: A) "Use of the Newport Beach Public Library' policy showing all
revisions.
B) "Use of the Newport Beach Public Library" policy after revisions.
M
USE OF THE NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Newport Beach Public Library is open to all members of the general public without
restriction. Customers may remain in the library during posted business hours to use the
services, material or facilities for reading, studying or obtaining information. However,
customers may be directed to leave the library with or without advance warning, when
their behavior disrupts other customers or staff, or is inconsistent with library purposes.
A. The following behavior will invite a reminder from staff that such conduct is
prohibited in the library. Customers who continue to engage in these activities
will be asked to leave the facility:
1. Smoking,
2. er sSleeping;
3. Occupying furniture in a manner that suggests lounging, as evidenced by
lying down on the furniture, inGluding, but sat limited to, or propping feet
on chairs, sofas, or tables;
4. Occupying more than one space during peak times of library use;
5. Eating or drinking food or beverages in such a manner that customers or
staff are made uncomfortable.
6. Not wearing shoes;
4.6.
7. Wearing cleats, skates, rollerblades or other items that could damage the
facility;
5.7
8. Creating an unreasonably loud noise such as loud talking or banging on
furniture;
6,-8-
9. Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set
at a volume that disturbs others;
10. Using cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices in a manner
that disturbs others. Audible cell phone and pager ringers must be turned
off;
7.9.
11. Interfering with other customers' use of library facilities or staffs ability to
perform their duties;
8. i 0.
12. Soliciting or collecting funds (except for staffs collection of overdue fines,
fees, proceeds of book sales, rentals, and library donations);
M
9. ^T
13. Bringing animals into the facility except service animals such as guide
dogs;
E -1
10,12.
14. Failure to use library computers or other information resources in the
manner directed, e.g., use of computers over the time limit when others
are waiting; refusal to provide access to limited reference materials when
others are waiting,
�I
-rI 113
15. Bringing any containers, packages, briefcases, parcels, or bundles into
the library which singly or collectively exceed 24"x18 "x6". All items not
prohibited are subject to inspection;
12.14.
16. Bringing shopping carts or wheeled conveyances into the building, with
the exception of wheelchairs and baby strollers /carriages used for the
actual transport of a person or child or wheeled backpacks and book
carriers not exceeding 24 "x1 5 "x12" (excluding handles);
17. Bringing sleeping bags, bed - rolls, or blankets into the building (blankets
for small children are acceptable); and
16
18. Parking a bicycles, of ether wheeled conveyances, or shopping carts is
any-or other wheeled cart in any area other than at a designated bicycle
racks.
B. The following behavior is illustrative of conduct which will warrant an immediate
order to leave the facility:
1. Any physical interference with customers or staff;
2. Any illegal activity;
3. Any threatening or abusive language or gesture directed towards
customers or staff;
4. The lack of personal hygiene or use of perfume or fragrance which
produces odors that interfere with other customers' use of library facilities
or materials or interfere with staffs ability to perform their duties;
5. The failure to comply with any warning or request to change or stop
conduct.
Amended by the Board of Library Trustees on December 5, 2011
Adopted -January 24, 1994
Amended - February 24, 1997
Reassigned — April 8, 2003
Amended — August 17, 2004
Amended — May 17, 2005
Amended — August 16, 2005
Amended — October 18, 2005
Amended — October 10, 2006
Formerly 1 -15
E -2
M
EM
USE OF THE NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Newport Beach Public Library is open to all members of the general public without
restriction. Customers may remain in the library during posted business hours to use
the services, material or facilities for reading, studying or obtaining information.
However, customers may be directed to leave the library with or without advance
warning, when their behavior disrupts other customers or staff, or is inconsistent with
library purposes.
A. The following behavior will invite a reminder from staff that such conduct is
prohibited in the library. Customers who continue to engage in these activities
will be asked to leave the facility:
1. Smoking;
2. Sleeping;
3. Occupying furniture in a manner that suggests lounging, as evidenced
by lying down on the furniture, or propping feet on chairs, sofas, or
tables;
4. Occupying more than one space during peak times of library use;
5. Eating or drinking food or beverages in such a manner that customers or
staff are made uncomfortable;
6. Not wearing shoes;
7. Wearing cleats, skates, rollerblades or other items that could damage
the facility;
8. Creating an unreasonably loud noise such as loud talking or banging on
furniture;
9. Using audible devices without headphones or with headphones set at a
volume that disturbs others.
10. Using cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices in a
manner that disturbs others. Audible cell phone and pager ringers must
be turned off;
11. Interfering with other customers' use of library facilities or staffs ability to
perform their duties;
12. Soliciting or collecting funds (except for staffs collection of overdue
fines, fees, proceeds of book sales, rentals, and library donations);
13. Bringing animals into the facility except service animals such as guide
dogs;
E -1
M
14. Failure to use library computers or other information resources in the
manner directed, e.g., use of computers over the time limit when others
are waiting; refusal to provide access to limited reference materials
when others are waiting;
15. Bringing any containers, packages, briefcases, parcels, or bundles into
the library which singly or collectively exceed 24 "xWW'. All items not
prohibited are subject to inspection;
16. Bringing shopping carts or wheeled conveyances into the building, with
the exception of wheelchairs and baby strollers /carriages used for the
actual transport of a person or child or wheeled backpacks and book
carriers not exceeding 24"x15" x12" (excluding handles);
17. Bringing sleeping bags, bed - rolls, or blankets into the building (blankets
for small children are acceptable); and
18. Parking a bicycle, wheeled conveyance, shopping cart or other wheeled
cart in any area other than at a designated bicycle rack.
B. The following behavior is illustrative of conduct which will warrant an immediate
order to leave the facility:
1. Any physical interference with customers or staff;
2. Any illegal activity;
3. Any threatening or abusive language or gesture directed towards
customers or staff;
4. The lack of personal hygiene or use of perfume or fragrance which
produces odors that interfere with other customers' use of library
facilities or materials or interfere with staffs ability to perform their duties;
and
5. The failure to comply with any warning or request to change or stop
conduct.
Final Approval by the Board of Library Trustees on February 6, 2012
Adopted - January 24, 1994
Amended - February 24, 1997
Reassigned — April 8, 2003
Amended —August 17, 2004
Amended — May 17, 2005
Amended — August 16, 2005
Amended — October 18, 2005
Amended — October 10, 2006
Formerly 1 -15
E -2