Community Use Agreement Enforcement and Administrative Review of Suspension Orders
Policy approved by The Seattle Public Library Board of Trustees
Purpose
The Seattle Public Library strives to maintain facilities that are clean, comfortable, and safe. To this end, the Library Board of Trustees has adopted the Community Use Agreement, a policy that protects the rights and safety of Library patrons, volunteers, and staff. The Community Use Agreement also preserves and protects the Library's materials, equipment, facilities, and grounds. This policy explains who may enforce the Community Use Agreement and provides the steps by which patrons may seek administrative review of suspension orders.
Policy Statement
The Library Board of Trustees has formally delegated to Library staff members the authority to enforce the Community Use Agreement. This authority includes withdrawing a patron's permission to remain on Library premises and issuing orders that suspend patrons from entering Library premises and accessing Library services ("suspension orders").
Patrons may seek administrative review of any suspension order lasting longer than seven days. To obtain administrative review, the patron must submit a written request in a timely manner. The patron should include in the request any written documentation he or she wishes to have considered in the review process, including information about any disabilities related to the reason for suspension. The suspension order remains in effect pending the outcome of the administrative review. If a patron seeking administrative review is unable to participate in the written process due to a disability, he or she may request a reasonable accommodation.
When a patron makes a timely request for administrative review of a suspension order, the Executive Director and Chief Librarian shall review the suspension order and all related documentation and provide the patron with a written decision. The Library Board has authorized the Executive Director and Chief Librarian to develop procedures for the implementation of this policy, including appropriate timelines for requesting the administrative review.
Applicability
This policy applies to all Library staff members authorized to enforce the Community Use Agreement and all patrons who seek administrative review of suspension orders lasting longer than seven days.
Related Laws, Policies And Procedures
Board Policy, Community Use Agreement.
Administrative Procedure, Suspending Individuals from The Seattle Public Library.
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 27.12.290, Public Libraries-Violators May Be Excluded.
Adopted by the Library Board May 27, 2025.
History
Previously titled Rules of Conduct Enforcement and Administrative Review of Exclusion Orders, Supersedes Rules of Conduct Enforcement and Administrative Review of Exclusion Orders adopted Jan. 28, 2010, Supersedes review and wording clarification approved June 24, 2015. Previously titled Rules of Conduct Enforcement. Supersedes Rules of Conduct Policy adopted May 26, 1994 and revised on April 23, 2002, June 1, 2006, and June 1, 2009.