Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 9.33 City Library Rules

The rules set forth in this Chapter shall apply to all libraries located in the City of Long Beach.

(ORD-24-0008 § 1, 2024)

A. The City Manager will promulgate rules for the use of City libraries.

B. Such rules shall be formulated to ensure that the libraries and meeting facilities serve their primary purposes. In the case of libraries, these purposes include the provision of an orderly environment in which people may read, study, use library materials and equipment and participate in library or community programs. The rules may regulate disruptive behavior, noise, offensive odors, health and sanitation hazards, and bringing possessions, materials or objects into the library or facility which are likely to interfere with its use by others. The rules may not unreasonably or unfairly restrict access to libraries or facilities by any person or group.

C. Any person who has violated any rule or regulation duly adopted by the City Manager may be subject to the suspension of his or her borrowing or library visitation privileges for a period not to exceed one (1) year, as provided by the library rules.

D. Notwithstanding Subsection (C) above, any person who has unresolved fees for lost or damaged library materials on their library account shall be subject to suspension of his or her borrowing privileges, until such time that fees are brought to Twenty Dollars ($20) or below. Any person subject to suspension of his or her borrowing privileges, as authorized by subsection (D), may appeal the suspension in the manner prescribed by the City's Director of Library Services. The determination of the Director of Library Services on the appeal shall be final.

E. Any person subject to suspension of his or her library visitation privileges, as authorized by Subsection (C) above, may appeal the suspension pursuant to Section 9.33.030. Unless otherwise ordered by the hearing officer, suspensions remain in effect during the pendency of any appeal.

F. Rules for the use of City libraries and meeting facilities shall be conspicuously posted on the premises. Any person who violates the rules shall be personally advised of the violation and the rules' requirements. Any person who fails or refuses to comply with any rule after receiving a personal advisement shall be warned that continued failure to comply may result in the person being required to leave the premises.

G. Any person who fails or refuses to leave the facility or who returns to the facility during the time that their visitation privileges have been suspended after being given personal advisement, warning and direction to leave, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor which shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) per violation, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(ORD-24-0008 § 1, 2024)

A. Any person subject to suspension of his or her library visitation privileges, pursuant to Section 9.33.020(C) of this Code, may appeal the suspension by completing an appeal form, stating the basis of the appeal, and returning it to the City Clerk's office within seven (7) days of the start of the suspension.

B. The City Manager or the designee shall serve as the hearing officer for any appeal. The City Manager or the designee may initiate such proceedings and shall cause a notice of such hearing to be given to the person subject to suspension at the address set forth in the library card application or served personally if no such address is available of the time and date of the suspension hearing. Notice of the hearing date will be served on the person subject to suspension at least five (5) business days before the hearing. At the time set for the hearing or at the date to which the hearing may be continued by the City Manager or the designee, the person whose privileges are subject to suspension may be heard and may present any facts to show why such privileges should or should not be suspended. At the close of the hearing, or at any time within thirty (30) days thereafter, the City Manager or the designee shall determine from the facts produced at the hearing, and from any other facts in his or her possession whether or not the privileges in question should be revoked. The City Manager or the designee shall make his or her order accordingly and may make such order conditional upon the doing or not doing of any act by the person whose privileges are subject to suspension, which the City Manager or the designee deems for the public good. Notice of such suspension shall be given to the person by the hearing officer.

C. Any person directly aggrieved by an administrative decision of the hearing officer may within ten (10) business days, file an appeal with the City Council. Privileges shall remain subject to the conditions of the hearing decision during any period of appeal.

(ORD-24-0008 § 1, 2024)