Library board votes down sleeping ban

SANTA CRUZ -- Trustees have narrowly defeated a measure that would have explicitly outlawed using the library as a place to sleep.

Monday's 5-4 vote of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Joint Powers Authority Board denied an attempt by staff to add sleeping to a list of banned behaviors.

Library Director Teresa Landers said staff had sought the specific right to remove people who are lying down in the stacks or placing their heads on tables and sleeping for hours at a time, not people who fall asleep briefly while reading. She said people are seen sleeping for extended periods a couple of times per day, mostly at the downtown branch.

But board President Sam Storey, a Capitola City Council member, was joined by Santa Cruz Councilwoman Katherine Beiers, county Supervisor John Leopold and citizen members Nancy Gerdt and Dick English in voting no.

"I think it would be very difficult to enforce and identify who is guilty and who is not," Storey said. "In my heart of hearts, we all knew who this was going to impact the greatest, and a certain group of people would be disproportionately affected. It brings up a lot of social issues, like how we handle our homeless population."

County Supervisor Ellen Pirie, who joined Santa Cruz Councilman David Terrazas, Scotts Valley Councilman Jim Reed and citizen member Leigh Poitinger in supporting the measure, said staff should have the ability to handle what has become "a big problem."

"We're a library not a dormitory," Pirie said.

Landers said library workers still will be able to ask sleepers to leave if they are impeding the ability of others to use materials and equipment. The proposed sleeping ban was part of other changes in the library's conduct policy that the board otherwise approved.

Managers will now be able to seize unattended backpacks and other items and suspend patrons for up to a year for multiple violations of any conduct rule. Previously, staff could only seek a 30-day suspension, after which a temporary restraining order would have to be sought.

Landers said hiring First Alarm security guards around the downtown branch this year has had a positive impact on people loitering outside. However, problems remain inside, including Sunday when a woman was arrested for punching someone and a man wielded a hammer at someone but fled before police arrived.

Also as part of the new safety measures, the board instructed Landers to further study a policy on emotional support animals, those not protected under disability laws, such as dogs and miniature horses. Landers said staff, who want to be able to ask what kind of support the animal offers specific to use of the library, want to ensure patrons are treated fairly.

"This whole conduct in a nutshell is about making the library a welcoming place for everyone," Landers said.

Also Monday, the board adopted a policy to break its service area into three districts for the purpose of selecting citizen board members. The areas will be separated into:

  • District 1: Santa Cruz, North Coast and parts of Live Oak;

  • District 2: San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley and part of Soquel;

  • District 3: Capitola, parts of Live Oak and Mid- and South County excluding Watsonville. The board is looking in January to fill the seat to be vacated by Poitinger, a Santa Cruz resident.

    Follow Sentinel reporter J.M. Brown on Twitter at Twitter.com/jmbrownreports

    AT A GLANCE

    LIBRARY BOARD OPENING


    WHAT: Opening of seat on nine-member Santa Cruz Public Libraries Joint Powers Authority Board representing Santa Cruz, North Coast and parts of Live Oak.
    WHEN: Applications are due 5 p.m. Jan. 7
    WHERE: Mail applications to Citizen Member Applications, 117 Union St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
    INFORMATION: Applications are available by calling 831-427-7706 or online at http://tinyurl.com/aoc2vb3.

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