GRRL Security Policies

GRRL Security Policies

Introduction
Chapter 1. Roles and Responsibilities

Chapter 2. Internet
Chapter 3. Unattended Children and Vulnerable Adults
Chapter 4. Service Animals
Chapter 5. Rules of Behavior
Chapter 6. Behavior Outside the Library
Chapter 7. Communication

 

Introduction

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) is committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all who visit the library through mutual respect between patrons and staff. GRRL strives to minimize barriers to access to services and materials for our patrons. Maintaining library spaces is a shared responsibility, and patrons of diverse backgrounds, identities, needs, and experiences are encouraged to use these resources cooperatively. As valued community assets, public libraries thrive on stewardship, cooperation, and goodwill from everyone who uses them.

 

Chapter 1. Roles and Responsibilities

1A. Patrons

Patrons are expected to conduct themselves appropriately in this shared public space, treating both staff and fellow patrons with courtesy and consideration.

 

  • Parents and caregivers are responsible for supervising the activities and choices of their children.

  • Patrons are stewards of the library and its resources and should respect its resources while ensuring their own safety and that of others.

  • All patrons must comply with federal, state, and local laws, as well as library policies.

  • Library users are expected to behave respectfully toward staff and other library users. Harassment of others will not be tolerated.

     

1B. Library Staff

GRRL staff are responsible for monitoring public behavior and maintaining a welcoming environment within the library. While staff may not observe all activities due to staffing limitations or building design, they will remain attentive to security concerns.

 

Any designated staff member may issue a warning to an individual who violates library policy or local Rules of Behavior. If the behavior continues after a warning, staff may ask the individual to leave the library. The facility supervisor and the Patron Services Supervisor will be notified after this occurs.

 

Inappropriate behavior will be addressed with a response proportionate to the severity of the behavior.

 

Staff will follow GRRL procedures when handling security issues. In cases involving juvenile patrons, contacting parents or guardians may be considered. Staff is authorized to request identification from patrons as necessary. Refusal to identify oneself under these circumstances may result in eviction or local law enforcement involvement.

 

Authorized staff members may ban people from entering a library for more than one day (trespass). Individuals may be banned for a limited period of time, indefinitely pending a legal resolution, or permanently. The length of time of the ban will depend on, but is not limited to the following factors:

 

  • Severity and frequency of the offenses

  • Likelihood of possible continued disruption

  • Safety concerns for staff and patrons

  • Preservation of the library environment

 

When an individual is banned, both the individual and local law enforcement will be notified. Other GRRL libraries will be notified if the ban applies system wide. Violations of the ban may result in law enforcement involvement and/or trespass citations.

 

The Library Executive Director serves as the final GRRL authority on any trespass issue. Any appeals beyond that level should be directed to the local library board or city council as appropriate.

 

Chapter 2. Internet

Patrons who violate the library’s Acceptable Use Policy may be banned from computer and/or library access. The duration of the ban will be based on the severity and/or number of offenses. If the offense is serious, the Executive Director may impose a permanent ban on computer use or library access.

 

If illegal activities are observed, law enforcement may be notified, and the patron may be banned from all further access to GRRL libraries and services.

 

Chapter 3. Unattended Children and Vulnerable Adults

Great River Regional Library welcomes children of all ages and strives to create welcoming and enjoyable library experiences. The safety and well-being of children within the library is a primary concern.

 

Parents, guardians, or designated caregivers must accompany children while visiting the library. Responsibility for children's behavior, safety, and wellbeing rests with their caregivers, not library staff. Young children should not be left unattended, as they may not be safe alone in the library.

 

Since responsible adults may choose not to stay with young children at GRRL libraries, the following identifies the unattended and/or vulnerable child and addresses problems that may arise.

 

  • A responsible adult or caregiver must remain in the library when children ages six (6) and under are attending a library-sponsored program, such as story time.

  • Library staff must assist all patrons in the library, and they are not permitted to assume responsibility for the safety, care, supervision, or entertainment of specific children at the expense of others who may need assistance as well.

  • Designated caregivers must be at least 16 years old.

 

Staff will attempt to locate a parent or caregiver of an unattended child or vulnerable adult within the library. If unsuccessful, local law enforcement will be contacted.

 

Definitions
Children

An unattended child is any young person using the library facility unaccompanied by a responsible adult or left alone in one part of the library while the adult is in another.

 

A vulnerable child is an unattended child whose safety or well-being could be compromised either in the building, or if they were to leave the library.

 

Because children develop and mature at different rates, there is no particular age at which all children are ready to cope with the variety of circumstances they may face alone in the library. Library staff must use their judgment and discretion in determining whether or not an unattended child is vulnerable or at risk.

 

Vulnerable Adult

A vulnerable adult is an individual who, due to physical or mental disability, is dependent on others for care. 

 

Approved Date: prior to May 2010

Revised Date: 05/11/10, 03/20/12, 07/15/25

 

Chapter 4. Service Animals

GRRL recognizes that some patrons with disabilities may have service animals, which are trained to assist or accommodate a person with a sensory, mental, or physical disability or to perform tasks for the benefit of a disabled individual. GRRL recognizes legal rights under federal and state laws regarding use of service animals. GRRL also considers the safety and health of all of its patrons, the public and library staff to be of utmost priority.

 

No pets or animals other than service animals, service animals in training, or animals featured in GRRL approved programs are allowed in GRRL libraries. Owners of pets will be asked to remove them from the library.

 

A service animal is defined as "a dog that is trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a person's sensory, mental, or physical disability." A miniature horse may also qualify as a service animal under certain conditions set forth below. All other species of animal, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, do not qualify as service animals.

 

A miniature horse may qualify as a service animal if:

 

  • the miniature horse has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability;

  • the public facility can accommodate the miniature horse accounting for its type, size and weight;

  • the handler maintains sufficient control of the miniature horse; the miniature horse is housebroken; and the presence of the miniature horse does not compromise legitimate safety requirements that are necessary for safe operations. 28 C.F.R §36.302.

 

Individuals with disabilities may bring their service animals into all areas of the library where members of the public are normally allowed to go. All service animals must be under the full custody and control of their handler at all times. Also, all service animals must be on a leash or harness at all times unless the handler is unable to leash or harness the animal because of a disability or use of a leash or harness would interfere with the animal's safe, effective performance of work or tasks. If the service animal cannot be leashed or harnessed, it must be otherwise under the handler's control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means). Owners of the service animals are solely responsible for the supervision and care of the service animal. Therefore, owners must keep the service animal directly with them at all times.

 

A person with a disability may be asked to remove a service animal if:

 

  • The animal is out of control, such as uncontrolled barking or jumping on people, and the animal's handler does not take effective action to control it; or

  • The animal is not housebroken.

 

Fear of allergies, annoyance on the part of other patrons or employees, or fear of animals are not valid reasons for denying access or refusing service to people with service animals or service animals in training.

 

Dogs and other animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted in library facilities.

 

Staff may not make inquiries about a service animal when it is readily apparent that the animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. When it is not readily apparent that the animal is a service animal, staff may ask the following two questions:

 

  • Is the animal a service animal required to be present because of a disability?

  • What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

 

Staff may not ask about the owner's disability. Staff may not ask for documentation or proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal.

 

If an animal is properly excluded, library staff should give the person with the disability the option to obtain library services without having the service animal or service animal in training on the premises.

 

Approved Date: 05/21/13

Revised Date: 01/15/19, 07/15/25

 

Chapter 5. Rules of Behavior

Each GRRL library has its own Rules of Behavior approved by the local library board or city council.

 

Chapter 6. Behavior Outside the Library

Activities occurring outside GRRL libraries are the responsibility of local law enforcement officials. It is not possible for GRRL staff to observe and/or monitor public activities occurring outside the library property.

 

Chapter 7. Communication

Staff will inform supervisors and other staff of issues related to violations of library rules of behavior. The Executive Director will be informed of all incidents that result in a patron being trespassed from the library.

 

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