Brittany Kelley
KYLE — Kyle City Council discussed revisions to the Kyle Public Library’s new policies at its Oct. 8 meeting.
According to library director Leslie Scott, the library created the first official policies at the beginning of this year, which were approved by the Library Board Feb. 24, with council approving them March 18.
The policies have been implemented for four months, Scott said, but there have been areas that have been identified for improvement.
“[The Library Use Policy] is the policy that establishes acceptable behavior and expectations while individuals utilize the library space and resources,” explained Scott. “The revisions proposed are to clarify language and address reoccurring behavior that does not contribute to a welcoming or safe environment for all. The proposed revisions are common with library policies.”
The revisions to the Library Use Policy include:
• Adding the language that “The Kyle Public Library Policies will be reviewed annually,” as it currently does not state how often it should be reviewed
• Adding clarification that parents/caregivers must actively supervise and be in the immediate vicinity of their child(ren)
• Renaming the section titled “Restrooms” to “Library Spaces” to include other areas of the library, with subsections including restrooms, youth spaces and unauthorized spaces
• Changing the language for the restroom purposes from “washing the person’s hands or face” to “only its intended purpose,” which would allow the library to address each situation based upon the purpose
• Specifying that youth spaces are reserved for specific age groups and their families
• Addressing wheeled devices (bicycles and skateboards) inside the library by prohibiting them
• Adding language to state that behaviors that the library corrects weekly will not be allowed, such as: laying down; running or misusing library space, equipment and furniture; using cellphones on speaker; producing noise that could disturb others; and excessive public displays of affection
• Adding language that states visitors must leave when the library is closed
• Changing the language from “a customer may not distribute literature or otherwise solicit customers inside Library buildings or parking areas” to “a customer may not distribute literature or otherwise solicit, panhandle or proselytize on Library property.”
During the public comment period, resident Susan Reyna spoke against the proposed changes, stating, "Several of these rulings, though legally permissable, are inconsistent with the spirit and purpose of libraries, which have always stood for access, refuge and dignity for all ... These restrictions create barriers for the very people libraries have historically served — those seeking knowledge, comfort, safety or simply a place to rest."
Scott did clarify that if the library is ever used as an emergency cooling or warming center, that the emergency operations center takes precedence of the policies, procedures and protocols. This means rules that state residents cannot lay down, have food or be in the library after it has closed would be negated.
Other policy changes include: requiring residents to apply for a library card at least 15 minutes before closing; connecting youth cards to their guardian’s card; blocking adult’s accounts if the child’s is also blocked; stating that TexShare memberships have a one year date; limiting tabling to once per quarter or once every 30 days for organizations with an official city partnership; and specifications to library 3D printers, labs and Circuit machines, such as removing financial barriers by allowing residents to use machines for free sometimes.
Council member Bear Heiser, who requested the item be pulled from the consent agenda, stated that he understands that the library is meant to be a welcoming space, but that these requested policies “unintentionally create barriers for some people who rely on the library as a true public space that they have access to for free. Some of the language — I fear just looking at it here and hearing it out loud, without just reading it — it’s all interpretation based on person by person who’s enforcing the policy and, to me, that creates conflict in the intention of the policy and the execution of and how it’s applied to the alleged violation.”
So, his suggestion was to provide training for the policies to ensure that they are being addressed consistently with the alleged offender, while keeping staff members safe.
Sharing a similar sentiment was council member Robert Rizo, who stated that libraries should be safe and inclusive spaces, emphasizing that the policies need to be enforced when necessary and not based on what someone looks like or what their economic status is. Additionally, he also stated that the librarians and staff need to be safe in these situations.
“I’ve been here a little over a year and I’ve not [removed anyone],” said Scott. “I’ve had a 20-plus-year leadership in library career and I’ve never asked anyone to leave or had to forcefully remove them. So, the policies are very much a safety net for everyone … We are monitoring behaviors. [For example, if] someone’s laying down in the aisle, we’re going to have to ask them to get up and people do ask us, ‘Well show us where it says we can’t do this.’ That’s where we have that conflict.”
Council member Miguel Zuniga suggested creating a grievance policy for residents, if they feel as though they were treated unfairly.
“We have to understand that there are people that are in need in this community and [the library] might be the only place they feel safe, where they can live a normal life and be around people and see things,” said Zuniga.
In response, Scott explained that one infraction does not mean that an individual is removed from the library; it just opens up a conversation, which can lead to asking how the library can help that person.
Mayor Travis Mitchell emphasized to council that by wanting to not set any rules, it is taking authority away from the staff members at the library: “The question of whether or not our staff is friendly or whether or not our library is generally inclusive is one conversation and the question of whether or not we should have rules in our library is a separate conversation.”
Viewing the policies from a different angle was council member Michael Tobias. He stated that he assumes these policies are in place because the library has had direct experience with them. For example, one of the policies states that an individual may not enter and remain in the library in a bathing suit, which most likely means that this has already happened and had to be addressed by the library. Despite this, he is concerned on how these situations are being addressed and when it could become a legal issue, such as asking if an animal is a service animal.
“I was there a month ago and there were some kids that were running around and I was trying to focus and my daughter was there and they’re jumping around and your staff was just looking at the parents. The parents [were] minding their own. So, I get it; I understand. That’s why I’m seeing both sides of this … I think it’s just a matter of finding that balance,” said Tobias.
Regarding the wheeled devices, Rizo suggested updating the bicycle racks outside the library, as they are outdated and provide no locking mechanism and would make visitors more comfortable leaving their devices outside.
Council member Marc McKinney also stated that the city and library can work together to create a space for residents to safely store their wheeled devices, as they want to encourage alternate forms of transportation.
“One of the policies that I am a little concerned about is the distribution of literature. The library should be a free and open space for discussion and ideas, free flow of ideas. I would not object to having people outside of the library with brochures or information that they can hand out,” said council member Lauralee Harris, who suggested instead restricting the individuals to not yelling or grabbing others to give information.
“I’d really like to look at this a little deeper and take some dives, maybe even get to talk to [the city attorney] about this a little bit about this policy, making sure that we’re compliant with our rules [and] make sure that we’re not doing anything that’s non-compliant,” said Rizo, pushing to table the item.
Heiser motioned for the library to take the feedback provided by council and come back at a later date with revisions, while adopting the Makerspace and TexShare policies. The motion passed 7-0.
Kyle City Council meets next Oct. 21.
