Library Access for Sex Offenders Convicted of Sex Offenses Against Minors
In accordance with Chapter 692A.113 of the Code of Iowa, any sex offender convicted of a sex offense against a minor is prohibited from being present upon the real property of a public library and may not loiter within three hundred feet of the real property boundary of a public library. This policy adopts the prohibitions and exceptions laid out in the Code of Iowa.
There are two exceptions to this law. A sex offender who has been convicted of a sex offense against a minor may be present: 1) during the period of time reasonably necessary to transport the offender’s own minor child or ward to or from the library; and 2) during the period of time reasonably necessary to vote in a public election if the polling place is located in the library.
The Library Director may give written permission for sex offenders convicted of sex offenses against minors to be present on library property, as allowed by Iowa Code (Section 692A.113(f)). Individuals may appeal the decision to grant or withhold such written permission, as it relates to them, to the Library Board of Trustees.
Sex offenders convicted of sex offenses against minors may be eligible for library service, depending on their residential address. They may register for a card directly via telephone or email with the Circulation Coordinator or via USPS mail. They will choose a designee and make arrangements for that person to select, check out, and return materials using that card. Under any circumstances a sex offender convicted of sex offenses against minors will remain responsible for all activity on their card, as is the case with any other library user. They may access information resources via telephone or online.
Issuance of a library card to a sex offender convicted of sex offenses against minors does not constitute written permission from the library director for that offender to be present on library property.
Violations of this policy will be immediately reported to law enforcement, and violators may lose all library privileges.
Adopted 2/19/2018
Revised 10/19/2021
Revised 8/10/2022
