Revisions to Rules of Public Library User Conduct Being Discussed in San Francisco & South Carolina

Two items to share in this post.

1. San Francisco

Editorial:  New rules for S.F. public libraries are overdue (via SF Chronicle via Google Cache)
A new editorial by the San Francisco Chronicle supports efforts to, “crack down on unruly behavior.”
From the Editorial:

The revisions also include new violation categories, like loitering in library facilities before or after operation hours and bathing in the facilities. The targeted nature of these new violations has some homeless advocates crying foul.
While it’s true that many of the proposed violations may fall more heavily on the homeless population, there is no reason why San Franciscans should have to tolerate this kind of behavior in a public library.
Libraries are not homeless shelters, nor should they be asked to assume those responsibilities.

Read the Complete Editorial

2. South Carolina

From WJBF:

Public libraries are known as a place of quiet study and reading. Now, lawmakers in South Carolina are working on a bill to ensure people are utilizing the areas properly.
[Clip]
… A.B.B.E Regional Library Director Mary Jo Dawson is in favor of a new bill that would enforce library behavior.
“I think the importance of it, is that it’s going to create a tool that will be used by library management in coordination with law enforcement to put some teeth into our code of conducts or behaviors policies across the state.”
Dawson said the library systems codes of conduct vary across the state, and this bill would help unify them.

Read the Complete Article, View Video Report
Read the Full Text of South Carolina Senate Bill S-813
See Also: S.C. Senate panel passes gambling, unwelcome library patrons bills (via Charleston Post-Courier)
April 1, 2014.
Note: On April 10, 2014 the bill was introduced in the South Carolina House of Reps and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Filed under: Libraries, Management and Leadership, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries