Reasons people have been banned from Wiltshire libraries

The data received from Wiltshire Council shows that there have been 14 incidents which have escalated to the point of someone being banned from one of the county’s libraries since 2021.

Of these incidents, 10 involved disorderly behaviour, ranging from the individuals in question being intoxicated to abusive.

Also reported were four accounts of inappropriate behaviour.

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

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

Throughout the cost of living crisis, the libraries in Wiltshire have become warm places that allow people to come and receive energy advice. (Image: Diane Vose)

In 2021 there was one ban following "abusive/disorderly behaviour" in Trowbridge.

The following year there were two bans after "abusive/disorderly behaviour" in Salisbury and one ban following "inappropriate behaviour - harassment" in Marlborough/Pewsey.

Last year there were two bans in Chippenham for "disorderly behaviour/intoxicated" and three bans in Salisbury, including two for "abusive/disorderly behaviour" and one for "inappropriate behaviour.

Meanwhile, Trowbridge saw one ban following "abusive/disorderly behaviour", while in Devizes there was a ban for "accessing inappropriate websites on library computers". 

Finally, so far this year in Trowbridge, there has been one ban for "inappropriate behaviour".

Devizes has seen a ban for "abusive/disorderly behaviour" and there has been a 
ban for "disorderly behaviour/intoxicated" in Chippenham.

According to the council, these bans have varied in length.

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