- When the situation is "life threatening." (Call 911 immediately)
- When a person refuses to listen to you.
- When a person becomes disruptive or threatening.
- When a person demands to see "the boss right now." (If not
immediately available, take the person's name and telephone number for
later contact.)
- When you observe or receive a report that a person is maliciously
destroying property.
General Guidelines:
NOTE: Staff who work alone should be extra cautious. Since
they will lack assistance from other staff members in instances where
a person becomes disruptive, abusive, or violent, etc., they should.:
1) Assess the situation carefully; 2) Simply notify the person(s) that
Security will be called if the disruptive behavior is not immediately
stopped; 3) Call Security at ext. 6460.
Be alert to signs that a person with a behavior problem is present.
These signs include:
If an individual purposefully or unintentionally disrupts library
operations or library users:
-
Approach the individual in question and explain the
appropriate regulation of the library which is being violated
-
If necessary, hand out a printed copy of the library's
regulations.
-
If a disturbance is too serious to handle alone, call
for back-up from co-workers.
If an individual does not stop the improper behavior and is becoming
confrontational, call Security immediately.
- Tell Security who is calling and the location of the incident.
-
Briefly describe the incident and emphasize that help
is needed quickly.
-
Record the time of the call; if possible, get the security
officer's name.
-
Notify appropriate service points as to the location
of the incident and inform them that Security has been called.
- Complete a Subject Description form
and an Incident Report.
-
When the security officer(s) arrive, staff and other
library users who witnessed the incident should answer any questions.
For a serious or dangerous situation, do not hesitate to follow through
with appropriate legal action.
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