The library bans issued in Conwy since 2021 – and why

The Pioneer asked Conwy County Borough Council to disclose the number of people banned from its libraries since 2021, as well as an incident description pertaining to each ban.

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Why two people were banned from Rhyl Library earlier this year

2021

In 2021, one person was banned from Llandudno Library for three months after exhibiting abusive behaviour towards staff and other customers at the premises in October of that year.

2022

The following year, in August, one person received a month-long ban from Colwyn Bay Library for abusive behaviour towards staff.

2023

A total of five bans were handed out in 2023 – including two to the same person.

This person was banned from Llanrwst Library for two months in July 2023, and for six months in October, both for inappropriate behaviour under the influence of alcohol.

Also in July 2023, two people were banned from Llandudno Library for two months for abusive behaviour towards staff – one of whom was also under the influence of alcohol at the time.

And in October 2023, another two-month ban from Llanrwst Library was handed out to a person who caused damaged to property and behaved inappropriately towards staff.

2024

So far in 2024, eight library bans have been issued in Conwy.

Of these, five were two-month bans from Llanrwst Library in January, handed to individuals who displayed antisocial behaviour and who damaged property at the premises.

In February, antisocial behaviour at Llandudno Library by two individuals landed both of them a two-month ban, meanwhile.

Another person was also handed a two-month ban from Llandudno Library for refusing to leave, and antisocial behaviour at, the premises.

Sarah Ecob, head of economy and culture at Conwy County Borough Council, said: “It is very unusual for individuals to be banned from our libraries.

“It is usually only a last resort to ensure that our libraries remain a safe and welcoming space for other users and staff.”