A vulnerable patron is an individual who is mentally or physically challenged to a degree that the impairment inhibits adequate management of their behavior without assistance.
Vulnerable patrons, who can understand and follow the Library Rules of Conduct and who can care for themselves, are welcome to use the Library providing they can abide by the Library’s Maintenance of Public Order Policy. They must have contact information citing a caregiver who can assist them in an emergency.
Vulnerable patrons who are unable to care for themselves must have adequate supervision at all times. A caregiver 18 years of age or older must be responsible for monitoring the activities and managing the behavior of vulnerable patrons during their Library visits.
The Library will adhere to the following guidelines concerning vulnerable patrons:
- Staff is not in a position to prevent a vulnerable patron from leaving the building/grounds or to assume responsibility for monitoring their behavior.
- Staff will attempt to contact a caregiver when a vulnerable patron’s:
- Health or safety is at risk.
- Behavior disturbs other Library users.
- Behavior interferes with Library staff’s ability to perform their professional duties
- Actions violate the Library’s Maintenance of Public Order Policy.
- If a vulnerable patron is not picked up by Library closing time, the following guidelines will be followed:
- Two staff members will remain with the vulnerable patron until he/she is picked up.
- Every reasonable effort will be made by the staff to contact a caregiver.
- If a caregiver cannot be reached, or the vulnerable patron is not picked up within 15 minutes of Library closing, staff may notify the police.
- Staff are not permitted to provide transportation for vulnerable patrons.
Approved by Board of Trustees 6/18/18, revised on 6/8/2026
