1.5.1 — Health and Safety Restrictions on Library Use

Effective: July 1, 2026
Last Reviewed: June 6, 2026

  1. Purpose

    To establish a policy that ensures that the Library provides a healthy and safe environment for customers and staff and to protect the City’s investment in library collections, equipment and property.

  2. Board Of Library Trustees Authority

    1. Per Chapter 90 of the Jacksonville Code of Ordinances, the Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) of the Jacksonville Public Library shall be responsible for the administration of the free public library system established by the City Council.
    2. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the BOLT or Library may restrict a customer’s ability to borrow materials and/or to use library facilities when such use may jeopardize the health and safety of library facilities, collections, equipment, property, staff, and other customers.

  3. Situations When Services May Be Restricted

    1. Examples of situations where borrowing of materials or use of library facilities may be suspended or restricted include, but are not limited to:
      1. Evidence that items on loan to a customer may have been returned with insects that are known to be damaging to library materials, or that can result in pest infestations in library facilities, e.g. roaches, silverfish and some types of beetles.
      2. Customers or customer possessions with fleas, lice, or bed bugs.
      3. Customers with clothing that is stained with urine and feces.
    2. Per Library Policy 3.1.5 Library Fees, replacement charges will be assessed for items returned damaged for reason including but not limited to health and safety considerations.

  4. Issuance of Suspension/Restriction Notification

    In the event the Library determines that an individual shall have his or her library privileges suspended for health or safety reasons, the Jacksonville Public Library shall provide the customer with:

    1. Written notice of said suspension;
    2. The terms of the suspension, and;
    3. The reason(s) for the suspension.

  5. Board of Library Trustees Authority and Appeals Process

    A customer who has been suspended or has restricted library privileges for health or safety reasons may appeal the decision to the BOLT in accordance with Policy 5.5.1 Appealing the Implementation of Policy.

  6. Authorization to Define Procedures

    The Board of Library Trustees authorizes the Library Director to establish procedures to administer this policy, and to delegate any and all responsibilities herein to other staff through such procedures.

  7. Associated Library Policies

  8. Relevant Law & Legislation

    1. City Ordinance 90.102(a) – Authority of the Board, Ordinance Code