Library Suspensions Policy
When a library member’s behaviour threatens the health and/or safety of library staff or other members of the public, or if the member’s behaviour violates any of the library’s rules and/or policies, access and use of the library’s facilities and services may be suspended.
Suspension Authority and Process
- All library staff have the authority to issue 1 day suspensions. Longer suspensions will be issued by a library supervisor.
- Before suspensions are given, library staff will approach the individual(s), request that the inappropriate behaviour stop and explain why that conduct is considered unacceptable. If the behaviour persists repeatedly after a verbal warning(s), the member may be asked to leave the library for the remainder of the day. For more serious behaviour, an automatic suspension may be issued.
- If suspended for longer than 1 day, affected members will receive a paper trespass notice citing the rationale for the suspension and its duration. Paper trespass notices may be issued by facility security staff, library supervisors, and/or the police – depending on the situation and the nature of the offence.
Suspension Lengths
- Below are minimum suspension lengths for specific behaviours and inappropriate conduct. Information on appropriate conduct can be found in the Member Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct Policy.
- Depending on the nature of the behaviour and the overall situation, the length of a suspension may be longer. Discretion will be applied in contexts that involve juveniles, those with cognitive disabilities, and other relevant situations.
- Depending on the nature of the suspension, library staff may ask a member to review the Library’s Member Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct Policy before being allowed to return to the library facility after their suspension period is completed.
Minor Suspension Lengths
| Behaviour | Minimum Suspension Length |
| Minor inappropriate behaviour/non-compliance (i.e. refusal to follow library rules, unreasonable noise, etc) |
1st occurrence - 1 day 2nd occurrence - 1 week 3rd occurrence - 3 months |
|
Visible intoxication (drug and/or alcohol) *Library staff may call the police automatically if concerned for library member’s health and safety. |
1st occurrence - 1 day 2nd occurrence - 1 week 3rd occurrence - 3 months |
|
Consumption and/or open possession of alcohol, marijuana, or marijuana paraphernalia *Open possession refers to any receptacle used to contain a substance that has been opened, has a broken seal or the contents of which have been partially removed or consumed. |
1st occurrence - 1 day 2nd occurrence - 1 week 3rd occurrence - 3 months |
Major Suspension Lengths
| Behaviour | Minimum Suspension Length |
| Selling alcohol and/or drugs in the library | 1 year |
| Significant property damage | 1 year |
| Harassment (physical altercations, verbal abuse, threats, and/or intimidation) | 1 year |
|
Open possession of a weapon or threats made with a weapon *Includes anything designated or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage |
1 year |
|
Any illegal activity *Along with suspension, any illegal activity that occurs on library premises may result in legal action. |
1 year |