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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - LB - 2013.07.03 NWiN G-'SME I 13,71M Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes Suspension of Burlingame Library Privileges July 3, 2013 - 2:OOPM I. Call to Order At 2:15pm President Rosenthal called the meeting to order and noted that this special meeting of the Library of Trustees was called to consider the Library staffs'request to suspend.Library privileges for an individual who violated Library rules and exhibited inappropriate and threatening behavior that was disruptive to Library staff and patrons. II. Roll Call Trustees Present: Betsy Corcoran, Deborah Griffith, Lisa Rosenthal,Sandy Towle Trustee Absent: Debra Donaldson Staff Present: Pat Harding, City Librarian Sidney Poland, Recorder City Representatives: City Attorney: Kathleen Kane Police Sergeant: Don Shepley Police Officer: Todd Chase Patron: Robert Greggans Members of the Public : Jeffery Griffith and Jim Cannon III. The Hearing for Mr.Greggans was conducted as follows: 0 Presentation by City Librarian. • Trustees asked questions of the City Librarian regarding the matter of Mr.Greggans. • Mr.Greggans presented his case. • Trustees asked questions of Mr.Greggans regarding his presentation. • Trustees reviewed and discussed the matter and rendered a decision. IV. In the Matter of Mr.Robert Greggans A. Pat Harding, City Librarian,presented the facts leading to staffs request to suspend Mr. Greggans' Library privileges and stated that Mr.Greggans has a history of inappropriate behavior in the Library. Three Incidents were given to illustrate Mr.Greggans inappropriate and threatening behavior towards staff and individual patrons while being present in the Library.All three of incidents illustrate violation of the rule: ......verbally or . physically threatening other patrons or Library staff.". 1._ January 10,2011 Mr.Greggans exhibited inappropriate and threatening behavior by leaning over the computer station,using his finger as a gun and pretending to shoot a female patron in an adjacent computer station. The Female patron reported the incident to Circulation staff person,Geralyn O'Brien,and stated she was leaving the library because she was afraid. Mr.Greggans threatening behavior continued towards Geralyn when he found out that his actions had been reported. He left the Library yelling when police were called. 1 48o Primrose Road Burlingame•California 94010-4o83 Phone(650)558-7474-Fax(650)342-6295•www.burlingame.org/library 2. May 21,2013 -On this date while Barry Mills, Pat Harding and Linda Santo were attempting to arouse a female patron who appeared to have lost consciousness, Mr. Greggans made derogatory comments and used profanity towards staff.Upon being told that he had to leave the Library,he began to shout repetitively that"we had better not show up at his house and assault him." Pat advised Mr. Greggans that if he did not cease his disruptive behavior,she would call the police. Mr.Greggans continued shouting and gesticulating as he left the Library. 3. June 10,2013 -After the May 21St episode,staff was advised by Linda Santo,that if Mr. Greggans came into the Library,he was to be informed that he was not permitted to use the Library. Mr.Greggans entered the Library on June 10th and requested a day pass for the computer. Amy Gettle and Sue Reiterman informed him that he would not be able to use the Library because of the May 21St incident. Mr.Greggans immediately became agitated and began yelling that"he wanted this in writing". As soon as Sue began to call the police,he exited the Library still yelling. Sue noted in her report that she found Mr. Greggans'behavior threatening. B. Board Has Authority to Suspend Library Privileges 1. Pat Harding reviewed the California Education Code section 18960 which states that "a Library has the authority to establish rules"and to "exclude from privileges" of the Library,those person who violate rules. 2. Burlingame Municipal Code,Chapter 3.44 The Library Board of Trustees has the authority to establish rules and this Board has adopted rules for patrons to observe in the use of the Library. These rules prohibit the use of the Library for non-Library-related activities and also prohibit any activity which �.. unreasonably interferes with other patrons'use of the Library. Ms. Harding stressed the fact that patrons have the right to use the library without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable or being threatened. Specifically referenced from the 2009 "Role of Library Trustees"is the statement that the Library Board of Trustees has the"power to bar persons whose continued inappropriate behavior necessitates action". C. Conclusion of City Librarian's Presentation Pat Harding stated that from her observations and those of the Library staff,Mr.Greggans' behavior was becoming increasingly more disruptive and threatening to patrons and Library staff. Pat requested that the Library Board of Trustees take the following steps to ban Mr.Greggans from the Library: 1. Suspend Mr.Greggans'library privileges including all access to Library buildings and grounds from today's date,July 3, 2013 through July 3, 2014. 2. Suspension of access to the Library buildings and grounds would include both inside and outside the Burlingame Public Library. Specifically, outside of the Library would include all Library grounds and would extend to the public sidewalk. 3. Pat further requested that the suspension and banning of Mr.Greggans be effective immediately. D. Board of Trustees'Questions to the City Librarian,Pat Harding 1. Question from Trustee Rosenthal: Was there any physical contact with staff during the June 10, 2013 incident? Answer: No 2 2. Question from Trustee Griffith: Were there any other-incidents that were not formally recorded or included in the Hearing materials? Answer: There were other incidents where the same type of behavior was exhibited. On December 1, 2008,staff was informed by a patron that he witnessed an unidentified man kicking the outside garbage can into a parked SUV. Patron reported incident to police dispatcher. Person who kicked the can came in and said a garbage can was in the street. Officer Terada arrived and requested that staff call them if the person who kicked the can came into the Library again as they wanted to speak with him. After looking at mug shots,staff was able to identify that Mr.Greggans was the person in question. Question from Trustee Griffith: Is Mr.Greggans using the computer? Answer: Yes E. Presentation byRobert Greggans 1. Garbage Can Incident- Mr.Greggans began his testimony by explaining his version of the garbage can-incident. Mr.Greggans stated that he was walking in front of the Library and was very upset and frustrated. He noticed that his shoe was untied and put his foot on the garbage can to tie it and the can tipped over and fell against the car. 2. Incident of May 21, 2013 -Mr.Greggans was sitting at the computer when he noticed that 3 staff members were in the process of aiding a drunken woman in the computer station behind him. He started to become frustrated. He didn't want to get involved. At this point, Mr. Greggans interjected a comment about the lady from the shelter and he didn't want to be involved with her. He returned to the incident of May 21st,and emphasized that he was aware that he shouldn't get involved but he was becoming more and more agitated and so he spoke up. Mr.Greggans said he spoke to the staff person at the front desk and tried to explain why he got upset. F. Board of Trustees'Questions to Mr.Greggans 1. Question From Trustee Corcoran: "Mr. Greggans when you feel angry or confused how do you deal with it?" Answer: Mr. Greggans referred to getting lunch and wanting to help her and then said he went with a friend to get something to eat. He continued by saying he had to go back to where he lived and then talked about how to draw a picture and that he had trouble calming down. His last comment referred to the May 21st incident. He again said he tried to explain to the person at the desk that he didn't mean to get involved. There were no further questions from the Library Trustees to Mr. Greggans V. Board Discussion of Request to Suspend Mr.Greggans'Library Privileges A.-Trustee Griffith: Trustee Griffith expressed her concern that.there was more than one incident of. Mr.Greggans'inappropriate behavior that put patrons and staff at risk. The fact that Mr.Greggans' actions toward a female patron caused her to leave the library because she was afraid is a serious matter. B. Trustee Towel: Trustee Towle found it positive that in all the incidents Mr.Greggans did not display any physical harm to staff or patrons. Trustee Towle felt that taking Mr.Greggans' Library privileges away for a year provided an opportunity for a time out in which Mr.Greggans'could get some assistance in finding ways to control his behavior. Hopefully in a year he could return to the Library on a regular basis. C. President Rosenthal: President Rosenthal expressed her appreciation to Mr. Greggans for coming to the Hearing. Lisa advised Mr.Greggans that while the Trustees understood his psychological condition,the Library does have rules and regulations for the express purpose of providing patrons with a safe and friendly environment in which they can take advantage of library services. Lisa further explained to Mr. Greggans that the Trustees not only have to consider his rights but they have to consider the rights of all patrons. That is their job. 3 VI. Decision of the Library Board of Trustees The Trustees unanimously approved the motion of Trustee Griffith that in consideration of the evidence of Mr.Greggans threatening and inappropriate behavior in the Library,he,should be banned from the Burlingame Public Library and its surrounding property for one year beginning July 3, 2013 to July 3, 2014. The Board expressed the hope that Mr.Greggans would be able to take advantage of this time to get the personal issues in his life under control. M/S/C (Grifffth/Towle) VII. Concluding Comments to Mr.Greggans Following the Board of Trustees decision to ban Mr.Greggans from the Library for one year, President Rosenthal directly addressed Mr.Greggans with a brief explanation of how the Trustees'action will affect him. • Mr. Greggans will not be allowed to come to the Library for a period of one year beginning today July 3, 2013 and continuing until July 3,2014. • If Mr.Greggans does enter the Library or is seen on the grounds,he will be asked to leave the premises and if he does not leave immediately,he will be physically removed. • In one year,he will be able to return and use the services provided by the Library. Mr. Greggans replied that he understood. He asked the City Librarian, Pat Harding,if he would be receiving a letter. Pat said she would send him a letter. VIII. Adjournment The special Meeting of the Library Board of Trustee in The Matter of Mr. Greggans was adjourned at 3:05 PM. Respectfully Submitted,- Patricia Harding City Librarian . 4