New library law reads: Sex offenders stay out

A new law, which became effective July 1, states sex offenders convicted of a sex offense against a minor cannot be on public library property without permission of a library administrator.

Under the law sex offenders also cannot loiter within 300 feet of the property boundary of a library.

As of July 1, the new law also bans these types of sex offenders from places like play areas, swimming or wading pools or beaches when available to the public and in use by a minor.

The law also requires sex offenders to obtain permission from administrators to enter nonpublic or public elementary and secondary schools or be on school property.

The Le Mars Public Library Board of Trustees Monday approved a library policy concerning the new sex offender law.

Sue Kroesche, library director, said there has never been such a policy at the library because previously Iowa law did not include specifics pertaining to sex offenders and libraries.

Individuals convicted of a sex offense against a minor wanting to come to the Le Mars library will need to obtain permission of the board of trustees.

"I would be surprised if someone came and asked," Kroesche said.

There is an option in the library's policy to still provide services to these banned sex offenders. The alternative is to have the individual designate someone to select, checkout and return materials to the library for them, Kroesche said.

"They can check out," said Judy Brouwer, Le Mars board trustee. "They just can't come in."

Board Trustee Kathleen Kipp said even with the new law and the library's policy, the sex offender still has access to obtaining materials.

"It's online now so it's certainly easy enough for them," Kipp said.

The trustees also discussed that within the law there is no language as to how sex offenders will be identified. They do not have to disclose their status to library personnel.

"The Legislators put it out there and leave it to the rest of us to figure out," Kroesche said.

Kerry Barrett, board trustee, said registered sex offenders will be informed of the new law.

There are currently about eight sex offenders with library cards, Kroesche said.

If they were convicted of a sex offense against a minor, they will now have to ask permission to come to the library, Kroesche said.

Kroesche said library staff has a list of registered sex offenders, but advised trustees she and her employees could not spend all their time watching those coming and going.

The trustees agreed to keep the library's initial policy concerning the sex offender law simple and if in the future needed to add specific details they could do so. The policy was also reviewed and OK'd by City of Le Mars' Attorney Joe Flannery

"I think this is a really good step," Barrett said. "I like this, general and simple."

The new Iowa code and the library's policy concerning sex offenders is currently displayed in the library's entry in four different spots.

Those small notices will soon be replaced by larger signs, Kroesche said.

"If we have known violations, we are going to report them," she said. "If someone comes in and is a sex offender, we will inform them of the law and ask them to leave."