Suspending Customers who Violate Rules See Library Policies and Procedures Manual, Procedures 2.3, for more details.
Suspending customers (adults and children fifteen years of age or older) in violation of rules:
Inform customer that they are in violation of library rules. Avoid raising your voice and communicate in a calm manner.
If violation continues, the security guard or supervisor in charge may ask the person to leave the building. The length of time depends on the offense. (See Library Rules Violations). Customers can be suspended from the library for as little as 1 day and as long as indefinitely.
If customer refuses to leave after the above steps, inform customer that they are in violation of Texas State Penal Code 30.05 and may be arrested.
Under no circumstances may any library staff or security guard touch a customer unless defending themselves or others.
Contact HPD at 911 if needed. Request complaint report number from police.
Complete the Trespass Warning and Suspension Notice (see Intranet--Forms--Facilities) ask the customer to sign it (if possible) when suspending the customer from the building. Be sure to include the date when the customer may return to the building (if applicable).
An in-house Suspension Log (see attachments below) can also be helpful to track repeat offenders
Complete an incident report and send to the appropriate distribution list.
Suspending children (fourteen years of age or younger) in violation of rules:
If children between the ages of seven and thirteen are in violation of rules, staff should attempt to contact their parents or guardians. If needed, contact HPD at non-emergency number, 713-884-3131.
If children violating rules are fifteen or older, follow the procedures listed above.
File an incident report after any and all suspensions.