Lorsque les suspensions et autres conséquences s’intègrent dans l’expérience de bibliothèque
Éléments clés
Au moment d’élaborer, de réviser ou d’appliquer des politiques de suspension, de nombreux facteurs doivent être pris en considération. Les bibliothèques doivent notamment tenir compte des éléments suivants :
- Le langage utilisé pour évoquer une suspension. Plusieurs termes sont employés par différentes bibliothèques : exclusion (Toronto), suspension (Edmonton) ou encore bannissement (Hamilton).
- Déterminer les types d’infraction à surveiller et la durée de suspension, le cas échéant, à attribuer à chacun de ces types d’infraction. Certaines bibliothèques prévoient des durées de suspension minimales ou maximales pour certains types d’infraction. Les bibliothèques peuvent également appliquer un barème mobile de conséquences selon différents facteurs (âge, première infraction ou récidive, gravité de l’infraction, etc.).
- Il faut prendre en compte l’échelon des employés autorisés à émettre ou à confirmer une suspension. Dans certaines bibliothèques, le bibliothécaire en chef ou le directeur général en ont la responsabilité, alors que dans d’autres cette tâche est déléguée aux gestionnaires.
De nombreuses bibliothèques permettent aux abonnés de faire appel d’une suspension. Il faut notamment prendre en compte les critères d’examen et le mécanisme d’audition d’un appel. Le processus de refus, d’abrègement ou d’annulation d’un appel est un autre élément à prendre en considération.
Examples & Templates
Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library uses a chart to determine when an incident requires a suspension and includes a section on whose role it is to initiate the suspension conversation and who has the authority to suspend a patron. The chart below includes minimum suspension lengths for various offenses and their authority levels. Repeated offenses or offenses deemed to be more serious in nature may result in longer-term suspensions. Where the suggested minimum length states “up to”, Managers may use their discretion in recommending a suspension length for their Director’s consideration.
| Infraction | Minimum Suspension Lengths | Authority to Initiate & Communicate Suspension | Authority to Formally Issue Suspension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Disturbance including Computer Violations | Up to one month local | Library Staff | Service Point Manager, Library Services Co-ordinator |
| Intoxication (alcohol or drugs) – first infraction | One day local (Repeat offenses will be three months or more system wide) | All Staff, Milner Security | |
| Intoxication (alcohol or drugs) – repeated infraction | Three months system wide | Service Point Manager, Milner Security | Service Point Manager |
| Possession of open** alcohol or drugs – repeated infraction | Up to six months system wide | Service Point Manager, Milner Security | Director, Branch Services |
Saskatoon Public Library
The Saskatoon Public Library’s Safe Use and Conduct Bylaw governs the conduct of people who use and access library spaces, services, and programs for the safety of Patrons and Personnel. The Suspension Procedure provides guidance to employees dealing with violations of SPL’s Safe Use and Conduct Bylaw and Managers faced with suspending a patron from library facilities and services. It also includes an example of how the Saskatoon Public Library’s request for reinstatement works, which is:
- If a suspended patron requests an appeal, the employee contacts the Branch Manager.
- The Branch Manager, as well as an additional Manager or Senior Manager, meets with the suspended patron to resolve an issue or identify next steps. Recommendations are passed to the Senior Manager, Security for approval.
If the situation cannot be resolved at the local level, a suspended patron concerned about the suspension of their Library privileges can ask that the matter be reviewed by SPL’s Board of Trustees through the delegation process.
| Infraction | Minimum Suspension | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Excessive Noise & Disruption of Others Disrupting others in the library by yelling or making undue or excessive noise is prohibited. | 1 day suspension | Employees and security personnel in consultation with employees |
| Sleeping Sleeping is not permitted in the library. | 1 day suspension | Employees and security personnel in consultation with employees |
| Smoking & Vaping Smoking and vaping are prohibited inside the library and within three metres of an entrance. | 1 day suspension | Employees and security personnel in consultation with employees |
| Alcohol or Drugs Carrying open alcohol or drugs, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs and using alcohol or cannabis is prohibited on library property | 1 day suspension | Employees and security personnel in consultation with employees |
| Verbal Harassment & Vulgar Language Verbal harassment or the use of vulgar language is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: taunts, threats, swearing, or yelling at, name calling towards employees, guards, or patrons. | 1 day suspension | Employees and security personnel in consultation with employees |
| Animals Only service animals are permitted in library buildings. All other animals are not allowed. | 1 day suspension | Employees and security personnel in consultation with employees |
| Food & Drink Non-alcoholic beverages and food can be consumed in the library, except near computers or in Innovation Labs, unless posted temporary measures state otherwise. | 1 day suspension | Employees and security personnel in consultation with employees |
Hamilton Public Library
The Hamilton Public Library uses a conduct matrix to help differentiate an incident between a warning or suspension, and the length of time needed. It exemplifies how an incident progresses from a verbal warning to being suspended for one year. It also connects an incident to the rules of conduct that are being broken.
Toronto Public Library
The Toronto Public Library manages consequences through the Exclusion, Appeals and Reinstatement policy. It describes how exclusions are administered, how customers may appeal an exclusion, and how customers may request reinstatement following a 12-month exclusion.
Toronto Public Library uses the following criteria when determining whether to grant an appeal or the reinstatement of Library privileges:
- The safety of the public and Library staff and the circumstances surrounding the exclusion.
- The past behaviour of the person making the application with regard to the Rules of Conduct.
- The person’s reasons for appealing his or her exclusion or seeking reinstatement, as well as other mitigating factors.
- Where applicable, whether the person has reimbursed the Library for all expenses incurred as a result of the person’s actions.
- Whether the exclusion procedures were applied in accordance with the provisions of this Policy.