The Wilmington Public Library District is dedicated to providing access to knowledge and information, providing for patrons the right to use materials and services without being disturbed or impeded, and providing patrons and employees with a secure and comfortable environment. The Public Library Act provides the Board of Library Trustees with the general power to carry out the spirit and intent of the Act in establishing and maintaining the Library and providing library services, and the specific power to “exclude from the use of the library any person who willfully violates a policy or regulation prescribed by the Board.” 75 ILCS 16/30-55.55
The Board of Library Trustees of the Wilmington Public Library establishes its conduct policy as follows:
A patron who engages in any activity that materially disrupts the use of library facilities, collections or services by patrons or materially disrupts the ability of the staff to perform its duties shall cease such activity immediately upon request by library staff.
Examples of behavior deemed illegal or threatening to the safety of others include, but are not limited to the following behaviors:
– Carrying a weapon of any type. Concealed weapons by any other than Officers of the Law are not allowed on Library Property as provided in the current Firearm Concealed Carry Act of the State of Illinois (IL Public Act 98-0063).
– Soliciting, selling or using drugs on library property.
– Destruction or theft of any Library property or materials.
– Physical or verbal altercations of any kind including using obscene or offensive language.
In such instances involving minors, identification will be requested and the incident may be reported to the police, 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 staff will record instances in which patrons are required to leave the library. All records will be kept by the Library Director in the Incident Report Binder. Upon the third recorded instance in which a patron is required to leave the library premises, the Library Director may bar the patron from use of library premises for a period to be determined. Parents or guardians of minors will be notified in writing in the event a minor is banned from using the library for a period of time longer than one day. In the case of personal danger to other patrons and/or staff, a person may be barred from the library prior to three instances occurring.
In the event a patron who is 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 Library Director shall report to the Board of Library Trustees such conduct following prior exclusion and the Board will consider a long-term exclusion of that patron.
Patrons that violate the Library District’s Computer Use Policy may be barred from the computers for a period to be determined by the Library Director prior to three recorded instances.
We ask the public to wear shirts and shoes at all times with clothing buttoned or zippered as appropriate.
Patrons are prohibited from selling services or goods on library property unless approved by the director for programming purposes.
Copies of the following notice will be posted throughout the library. “The Wilmington Public Library environment is intended to be safe and healthy for its patrons and staff. The Library reserves the right to ask ill patrons to leave the library.”
Patrons wishing to appeal any action may do so upon written request to the Board of Library Trustees within two weeks of receipt of written notification.
This Policy shall take effect immediately upon enactment and approval according to law and be in full force and effect thereafter. A copy shall be posted within three days of enactment at the Library.
Adopted this day 09/21/98
Amended 07/16/01, 04/21/03, 07/19/04, 11/21/05, 11/19/07, 11/17/08, 11/16/09, 10/21/13, 3/19/18
Reviewed 11/20/06, 11/15/10, 09/17/12, 10/20/14,06/20/16,11/20/17,9/16/19, 9/21/20,6/20/22,6/19/23,4/15/24