Policies In A New Law Protecting Children at Public Libraries
By: Staff
Updated: January 8, 2013
MONROE -- Starting in the new year, a new law is protecting children from contact with people who have been convicted of sex offenses where the victim was under 13 years of age.
At local libraries, their access is restricted as follows:
Alos, sex offenders are not allowed on or within 1,000 feet of school property without the permission of school authorities. The following libraries are on or within 1,000 feet of school property: Carver-McDonald Branch Library and Sterlington Memorial Branch Library.
Sex offenders will only be allowed access to these libraries if they first obtain permission to be on school property.
No sex offender shall apply for, work for, or otherwise provide services to a library facility as an employee, contractor, sub-contractor, or volunteer.
The Library Director shall be responsible for developing and implementing administrative and management procedures in furtherance of the policies of the law. Recommended procedures include:
Background checks - Implement procedures to provide that library employees, contractors, sub-contractors, and volunteers who will interact with children or will be required to work in the restricted areas may be subject to criminal background checks.
Configuration - To the extent possible, each library branch shall be arranged in a manner to ensure that areas devoted to children and young readers may be easily supervised by library staff, and such areas are segregated from other library resources and facilities.
Notice - Implement procedures to ensure adequate public notice of each library branch's times and dates of peak children's hours and children's programming. Adequate notice may include posting such information in a prominent location near the library's entrance and on the library's website.
Surrogate - Implement procedures to allow sex offenders to authorize a surrogate to check out library materials using the sex offender's library card. Procedures to obtain a library card via a surrogate may be granted by the Library Director.
Enforcement - Implement procedures to update policies, where necessary, and enforce policies regarding unattended children.
At local libraries, their access is restricted as follows:
- Children's Areas - No sex offender shall be physically present in any area of the library designated as a "children's area."
- Peak Children's Hours - No sex offender shall be physically present on public library property during peak hours of children's use of the library:
- During the school year, peak hours are defined as 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. During the summer, peak hours are defined as 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Peak hours of children's use also include hours during which children's programs are scheduled. A schedule will be posted on-line and at the entrance of the library facility.
Alos, sex offenders are not allowed on or within 1,000 feet of school property without the permission of school authorities. The following libraries are on or within 1,000 feet of school property: Carver-McDonald Branch Library and Sterlington Memorial Branch Library.
Sex offenders will only be allowed access to these libraries if they first obtain permission to be on school property.
No sex offender shall apply for, work for, or otherwise provide services to a library facility as an employee, contractor, sub-contractor, or volunteer.
The Library Director shall be responsible for developing and implementing administrative and management procedures in furtherance of the policies of the law. Recommended procedures include:
Background checks - Implement procedures to provide that library employees, contractors, sub-contractors, and volunteers who will interact with children or will be required to work in the restricted areas may be subject to criminal background checks.
Configuration - To the extent possible, each library branch shall be arranged in a manner to ensure that areas devoted to children and young readers may be easily supervised by library staff, and such areas are segregated from other library resources and facilities.
Notice - Implement procedures to ensure adequate public notice of each library branch's times and dates of peak children's hours and children's programming. Adequate notice may include posting such information in a prominent location near the library's entrance and on the library's website.
Surrogate - Implement procedures to allow sex offenders to authorize a surrogate to check out library materials using the sex offender's library card. Procedures to obtain a library card via a surrogate may be granted by the Library Director.
Enforcement - Implement procedures to update policies, where necessary, and enforce policies regarding unattended children.
