SEX OFFENDER POLICY
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Blairstown Public Library is in compliance with Iowa Code, section 692A that prohibits a sex offender (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of sex offenses against minors from being present upon the real property of a public library, nor to loiter within three hundred feet of the real property boundary of a public library. The Code provides an exception to this prohibition if the library administrator provides written permission.
The Blairstown Public Library Director will not give written permission for a sex offender (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of sex offenses against minors to be in the library. The decision can be appealed to the Library Board of Trustees for a vote at a meeting in which a quorum is present.
Sex offenders (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of sex offenses against minors under law remain entitled to library services. They may register for a card directly via telephone or email with the Library Director. It is the responsibility of the individual to arrange for a courier to select, check out, and return materials to the Blairstown Public Library through possession of the patron’s card. In addition, they may access online resources through the library’s website. Issuance of a library card to a sex offender (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of sex offenses against a minor does not constitute written permission from the Library Director that the offender can be present on library property.
State law does provide an exemption for the purpose of voting. A sex offender (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of a sex offense again a minor will be allowed on library property solely for the period of time reasonably necessary to exercise their right to vote in a public location if the Blairstown Public Library is their designated polling location.
Background checks will be performed using the National Sex Offender Registry and the Iowa Sex Offender Registry on all employees, potential employees, and volunteers who are or will be working on library property. Persons not passing background checks or found on the National Sex Offender Registry or Iowa Sex Offender Registry will not be considered for employment.
Violations of this policy will be immediately reported to law enforcement and violators will lose all library privileges. Violators will be subject to prosecution for violation of the Iowa Code.
Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees: 11/3/2015
The Blairstown Public Library Director will not give written permission for a sex offender (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of sex offenses against minors to be in the library. The decision can be appealed to the Library Board of Trustees for a vote at a meeting in which a quorum is present.
Sex offenders (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of sex offenses against minors under law remain entitled to library services. They may register for a card directly via telephone or email with the Library Director. It is the responsibility of the individual to arrange for a courier to select, check out, and return materials to the Blairstown Public Library through possession of the patron’s card. In addition, they may access online resources through the library’s website. Issuance of a library card to a sex offender (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of sex offenses against a minor does not constitute written permission from the Library Director that the offender can be present on library property.
State law does provide an exemption for the purpose of voting. A sex offender (defined as a person who is required to be registered in the Iowa Sex Offender Registry) convicted of a sex offense again a minor will be allowed on library property solely for the period of time reasonably necessary to exercise their right to vote in a public location if the Blairstown Public Library is their designated polling location.
Background checks will be performed using the National Sex Offender Registry and the Iowa Sex Offender Registry on all employees, potential employees, and volunteers who are or will be working on library property. Persons not passing background checks or found on the National Sex Offender Registry or Iowa Sex Offender Registry will not be considered for employment.
Violations of this policy will be immediately reported to law enforcement and violators will lose all library privileges. Violators will be subject to prosecution for violation of the Iowa Code.
Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees: 11/3/2015