View and Reflect
| Site: | MSL Learn |
| Course: | Legal Topics: Patron Behavior and Safety Policies |
| Book: | View and Reflect |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Sunday, 5 October 2025, 6:05 AM |
Description
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About our Speaker
Kris Goss is the Director of Library Learning Hub at Helena College - University of Montana. Kris also serves as an attorney and currently works with the firm of Jackson, Murdo, & Grant, P.C. in Helena.
Kris previously worked with the Montana School Boards Association and served as a law clerk in the chambers of the Honorable Sam E. Haddon in the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Prior to law school, Kris worked as the Governor’s K-12 Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director in the administration of Governor Judy Martz.
Kris earned a law degree from the University of Montana School of Law, a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a Bachelor of Arts from Carroll College. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Trust for Montana Libraries Board of Directors and serves on the Montana Library Association Intellectual Freedom and Government Affairs Committees.
Discussion Questions
Legal Foundations & First Amendment
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How does the designation of a library as a “designated public forum” impact the way we create and enforce patron behavior policies?
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What are the key takeaways from the Crimea v. Morristown and Pico cases regarding patrons’ rights to access information?
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How can libraries balance First Amendment rights with the need to maintain a safe and welcoming environment?
Policy Development & Implementation
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What elements should be included in a patron conduct policy to ensure it is legally defensible and mission-aligned?
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How can libraries tailor policies to reflect their specific facility layout, community needs, and local ordinances?
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What are the risks of having overly vague or overly specific prohibited conduct lists in your policy?
Enforcement & Staff Authority
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What training or support do staff need to confidently and consistently enforce patron conduct policies?
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How should staff respond when a patron violates the policy but may not be fully aware of their behavior (e.g., due to mental health or cognitive conditions)?
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What are the best practices for documenting and communicating enforcement actions, including temporary or long-term exclusions?
Non-Discrimination
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How can libraries ensure that policies are enforced in a non-discriminatory and non-retaliatory manner?
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What considerations should be made when dealing with patrons with dementia or other cognitive impairments?
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How can libraries proactively address implicit bias in policy enforcement?
Appeals & Due Process
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What should an effective appeal process look like for patrons who have been restricted from library access?
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How can libraries balance transparency (public’s right to know) with patron confidentiality during appeal hearings?
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Weapons, Safety, and Local Law
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What are the legal limitations and allowances for restricting weapons in library buildings under Montana law?
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How should libraries coordinate with local law enforcement when enforcing restrictions or handling safety concerns?
Reflection & Practice
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What real-life scenarios have challenged your library’s current patron behavior policy?
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How might your library’s mission statement guide the development or revision of your conduct policy?
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What changes, if any, would you recommend to your library’s current policy after reviewing this webinar?
Discussion questions generated from the webinar transcript using Microsoft Copilot.
Recording
(58:51)
MSL Resources and Consulting
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