Should staff be instructed to monitor library use by patrons to determine inappropriate or illegal behavior?
Library Patron Behavior policies and Internet Use policies should clearly state that illegal activity is prohibited. Staff should be carefully trained to deal with any illegal patron behavior that is apparent to them or has been brought to their attention. General monitoring by staff of patron content or use of library materials and resources in any format is inappropriate in all instances with the exception of observation for the purposes of protecting library property. Patron Behavior and Internet Use policies should clearly state all of the steps to be taken by staff when illegal behavior or activity in violation of the above policies is observed. The steps in these guidelines will vary from library to library and should be determined locally. Once again, clear evidence of illegal behavior is best referred to law enforcement who know the processes of investigation that protect the rights of the accused.
