Iowa City library board bans sleepers

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa City library board has voted to bar people from sleeping in the library.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen says the measure approved on a 6-1 vote Thursday night exempts children who have caregivers or parents with them.

Board member Jay Semel says the rule isn’t aimed at homeless people looking for a place to rest. Semel says the library should have the same standards as other public buildings, such as the courthouse and the recreation center, which don’t allow sleepers to stay.

Library staffers reported receiving several complaints about people sleeping in the library.