[Genealib] Internet Access Use Policy and reciprocal bans

[Leslie Couture]

Susan, 
I am with the Denton Public Library in Denton, Texas.  We have three branches, and have not, as of yet, shared this type of information with any other libraries in the county, or the other two university libraries in Denton.

We have learned and now do crack down heavily - when we see it happen, that is - upon people that have: threatened staff, viewed pornography, are intoxicated,  etc.  We have asked people to leave for the day, a week, a month, 1-3 years, and permanently.  This includes adults and minors.  We have also taken away computer privileges.

I have attached a copy of our Rules of Conduct, which explains the penalties.

We also monitor the local police department's  "Who's in Jail Now" website for possible usual suspects.  Many of our regular problem people end up in jail and we can obtain their name & photo from there.

We also keep an Incident Log that is on a shared drive for all staff to fill out regarding these "incidents", whether they are minor, or major. This is how we keep track of repeat offenders. 
There is also an Incident Form that is to be filled out by staff within twenty-four hours and given to the director.  This form is for those times when we have had to call the police, when there has been an injury, or if someone has been very upset.   All of these reports are then shared monthly with the police department to help them monitor our problems.

Leslie Couture
Denton Public Library
Genealogy/Special Collections



>>> "Susan Scouras" <Susan.Scouras at wvculture.org> 6/25/2008 3:27 PM >>>
I am seeking primarily input from special, archival and academic
libraries, but public libraries can respond as well.  We and our sister
library, the West Virginia Library Commission Library, are working on
internet access and use policies.  If you have a patron who has
performed or threatened a violent act, a sexually explicit act,
repeatedly viewed pornography on a library computer in full view of the
public, etc., do you have a policy prohibiting this person from computer
use, admission to library, etc.?  If so, is it for a specific period of
time?  
 
Do you have reciprocal agreements with any other libraries that if a
patron is banned from one, he is automatically banned from the other?  I
especially need to know if anyone has a reciprocal agreement that is not
with a branch library within the same system.  For instance, if there is
a county library system and a separate city library, is there
reciprocity?  Two colleges in the same area?  
 
 
Susan Scouras
Librarian
WV Archives and History Library
The Cultural Center
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV  25305-0300
(304) 558-0230, Ext. 742
 
 

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