Accessing ‘inappropriate websites’ among reasons for banning by Wiltshire libraries

Disorderly behavior is the main reason people are banned from libraries in Wiltshire, a freedom of information request has revealed.

Figures received from Wiltshire Council show there have been 14 incidents which have escalated to the point where someone has been banned from one of the county’s libraries since 2021.

10 of these incidents involved disorderly behaviour, ranging from drunk to abusive.

(Image: Newsquest)

Four accounts of inappropriate behavior were also reported.

These inappropriate incidents included one case of harassment, as well as another where someone accessed “inappropriate websites on library computers.”

The latter took place in Devizes library, with the most frequent locations for bans being Salisbury (five), Trowbridge (three) and Chippenham (three).

The detail of the locations of the bans was provided as follows:

2021:

2022:

• Marlborough/Pewsey: inappropriate behavior – harassment

• Salisbury: abusive/disorderly behaviour

• Salisbury: abusive/disorderly behaviour

2023

• Chippenham: disorderly/intoxicated behaviour

• Chippenham: disorderly/intoxicated behaviour

• Salisbury: abusive/disorderly behaviour

• Trowbridge: abusive/disorderly behaviour

• Devizes: accessing inappropriate websites on library computers

• Salisbury: misconduct

• Salisbury: abusive/disorderly behaviour

2024:

• Devizes: abusive/disorderly behaviour

• Chippenham: disorderly/intoxicated behaviour

• Trowbridge: misconduct

According to the council, these bans varied in length.

There are over 30 libraries in Wiltshire where people have access to books, Wi-Fi, public computers and printing facilities.