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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:20:10 1998
From: Kirsten Edwards <kirstedw@kcls.org>
Subject: Re: Harrassment by patrons?
On Thu, 25 Jun 1998, Guarria wrote:
My motto with teens, as with dogs, is "Never make a rule or give a command
that you cannot enforce" and "The consequences of disobedience are
swift
and inexorable". Which sounds pretty harsh, but I don't raise my voice or
strike either set of (often lovable if rebellious) characters.:-) So I
truly sympathize with your problems! Once they've got the notion that there
are no real boundaries, they're pushing your people to the breaking point.
But this last comment caught my eye:
> Has anyone had problems of this magnitude, and what was done about it?
> Luckily summer is here, but the beginning of the next school year will
> come soon enough. (We're right next to the middle school, by the way.) It
Is it possible to work with the school next year? Tie behaviour at the
library to consequences at school? If you're getting a break in summer,
could you meet with teachers/principals/PTA leaders to share the issues
and set standards before the school year begins and make a fresh start?
You might be able to get the attention of local police by pointing out
that situations such as yours are fertile ground for the library becoming
gang territory and involve them, too.
Although I don't have her address with me, I'll be attending for the
second time (it's that good) Gay Ducey's program "Tough Kids, Tough
Times" and can send it to you when I return, if you like. Good luck with
your problem,
Kirsten Edwards E-mail to kirstedw@kcls.org
Young Adult Librarian Voice: 425-747-3350 (Lake Hills)
Lake Hills, Duvall and Fax: 206-296-5063 (Lake Hills)
Skykomish Libraries
KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
15228 Lake Hills Boulevard
Bellevue, WA 98007
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:20:10 1998
From: "Peggy Hagen" <phagen@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us>
Subject: Re: Pattern for Sailor Hat
You'll find a pattern, I think, in the Curious George book where he gets a
paper route. Curious George Gets a Job - that George is helpful in many
ways!
Peggy Hagen
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> Do any of you have an easy pattern for a paper sailor hat for children to
> make?
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:20:17 1998
From: Becky Tatar <bltata@aurora.lib.il.us>
ubject: Re: Harrassment by patrons?
It sounds as if you have a real problem on your hands. We have not
experienced behavior of this nature in our library; however, we are in a
downtown urban setting, and our problem is with gangs. And the gangs in our
town are rather serious - drive by shootings in various neighborhoods,
drugs, and all the fun activities that go along with gang behavior. What we
finally had to do was get police in here. We pay overtime for a police
officer September - May, Monday - Thursdays, from 6-9, and Saturdays, from
12:30 to 5. It has made all the difference in the world. We do have guard
service, but there is just something about a police officer that makes
anyone think twice. It's expensive. Sometimes, we have to contact the
police department supervisor, because once in a while we get someone who
wants to linger in the stacks and read, instead of roving around. What
makes it difficult, is that we have 3 floors, 1 balcony, and an elevator
lobby with 5 landings for the officer to patrol. Sometimes the officers are
bored while walking around. We LOVE that. This means there is noone
misbehaving. They will also take care of filing complaints against patrons
who cause great disruptions. It's a drastic step, but it has worked for us.
For teens who are misbehaving, if they will not leave, or will not give us
their names, or phone numbers, we don't mess around. We call the police to
take care of them.
This is not just the policy for teens, it is for everyone who behaves in an
inappropriate manner, no matter what age. I hope you are able to come up
with a solution or policy. Good luck!
-----------------------------------
Becky Tatar
Unit Head, Periodicals/Audio-Visual
Aurora Public Library
1 E. Benton Street
Aurora, IL 60505
Phone: 630/264-4100, x4116
FAX: 630/896-3209
e-mail: bltata@aurora.lib.il.us
Opinions are my own.
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:20:22 1998
From: "Peggy Hagen" <phagen@mcls.rochester.lib.ny.us>
Subject: Re: Division of duties
Hi Becky - I am one of two (soon to be three!) librarians in our children's
room, and we have divided things up a little differently. Neither of us
wanted to be out of touch with the collection (we found that, over time,
that happened when only one person did acquisitions) so I do books and the
other girl does AV. Our new person will do the CD-Rom collection when
he/she comes on board.
We also divided program so we are both involved - she does infant, I do
toddler, we train adult storytellers from the community to do preschool,
she does k-2, and our new person will do outreach to the daycares in the
community. We all deal with groups that come, depending on scheduling.
This way, we all feel as tho we are "whole" librarians, with our hands
in
lots of pies.
Peggy Hagen
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>
> Our small library has finally, after many years of work, become a
> medium-size library, and we're planning on adding another children's
> librarian to the staff. Having been the only professional children's
> librarian here for 15 years, I'm a little unclear on how to divide the
> duties of the department between myself and the new person.
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:20:52 1998
From: Dana Campbell <danac@siuslaw.lib.or.us>
Subject: Harrassment by patrons? -Reply
Carrie, I know exactly what you are talking about. We, too, have a very
difficult time with the middle school and YA population as difficult
patrons. The problem has increased many times over with the arrival of
public internet terminals. I don't have the answer to your problem....I
wish I did.
I do feel that part of our problem is lack of communication among the staff
about how to handle these situations consistently. We are each doing
our own thing, some of us are more strict than others. Also, our staff is
so small that we feel stretched already.
It certainly does make the job difficult at times.
We are currently writing our first Unattended Children policy that will
address part of this issue, but it definitely is not going to solve the
problem. We are finding during the summer that we have some of these
kids all day, almost every day. We have low income housing just blocks
away.
I, too, am interested in seeing what the response will be from the listserv.
Something has got to help.
Do hang in there. Don't take it personally. Hopefully your
director/supervisor will continue to back you up.
Dana C.
P.S. One thing that I use to do at my old library with "loitering
kids" is try
to have projects for them to work on. If I needed crafts prepared and
they were hanging around, I put them to work cutting, stuffing, sorting.
We also recycled mailing envelopes and I put them to work pulling staples
and old mailing labels. It was really funny....some of the kids got so they
enjoyed doing this. I always lavished high praises on their good work. I
also lavish praises on kids that are typically problems but have a good
day at the library. My goal is to "kill them with kindness".
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:21:08 1998
From: Rae Kozloff <alib2@sos.net>
Subject: Internet use by non-patrons, follow-up
Responding to Susan's question:
When we instituted public access to Internet a couple of years ago,
the Library Board felt that due to the costs and the fact that we
had/have
only 3 terminals available, that access should be for registered
borrowers only.
Because we are not part of any library system, people living outside the
city limits
(thus not paying property taxes to the city) must pay for a library
card.
Therefore, if they want to use the Internet, they can buy a non-resident
card.
This applies to people just visiting the area as well. Personally, I
agree with you
that since we don't restrict in-library use of magazines, reference
books, and other
services, we should not restrict Internet use either.
Among the responses I received from other libraries so far are that they
provide
"temporary cards" for non-residents, with or without a minimal charge,
or that they
let non-residents use the Internet until a registered patron comes in
who can "bump"
them off. (This would seem very difficult to monitor, however.)
Anyway, I appreciate everyone's replies and am collecting them to
present to the Board
soon in hopes they will rethink their policy.
Rae Kozloff
Anacortes Public Library
alib2@sos.net
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:21:22 1998
From: "Cindy Aliff" <CAliff@mission-viejo.com>
Subject: Re: Internet use by non-patrons
>>> <Rsponaas@aol.com> 06/24/98 10:58AM >>>
Regarding the recent posting on restricting internet usage to a library's own
patrons, Rae Kozloff <alib2@sos.net> wrote: "Our library requires
that
Internet users be patrons of our library, so when visitors/tourists passing
through town come in to read their email on the Web we have to turn them
away...."
I am a librarian at a city librarian and our policy is that patrons must present
their library card in order to gain access to the Internet. We have other
stations which have Searchbank and American Business Disc and other CD's which
patrons can just walk up and use.
We do not have filters so parents must check off on their child's library card
application whether they have parental permission to use the Internet. In that
way, we place the responsibility for the child's Internet actions onto the
parent. We check each child's library card to make sure that they have
permission to use and place an Internet sticker on their card.
We also do not allow chat or email on the computers and patrons can lose their
priviledges for one month. If they look at pornography on the Internet, they
lose their priviledges for two months and we call the parents of any youth who
break these rules.
In this way, we are able to control some of the use of the Internet, without
just putting filters on the computers and expecting them to work all the time.
When we get their library cards we then know who is using the computer and if
there is misuse, we are usually able to find the culprit.
Requiring a library card to use the Internet does not affect all patrons from
having access to the Internet. Our policy is that we allow anyone to get a
library card, even if they are from a different city, county, or state. We do
limit their checkout but they can get library cards and youth must have a parent
present to get a library card.
We haven't had any major problems yet, but nothing is full proof and we have had
some problems, but mainly with teenage users.
Cindy
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:21:34 1998
From: "Cindy Aliff" <CAliff@mission-viejo.com>
Subject: Re: Division of duties
Hi Becky, I work in a medium size city library and we have two librarians.
Basically, we divide the duties right down the middle. I think that you also
find that each of you have other skills and likes and dislikes which make it
easy to decide who does what.
In my library, I do collection development for fiction, YA fiction biography and
audivisual materials. The other librarian handles non-fiction. We both do
storytimes and work out programming schedules together. However, I handle the
administrative end: brochures, registration, check ins etc. She handles the
special programs that we do once a month. Which means contacting performers,
handling payments and everything else that is involved in special programs.
We both share reference duties. We usually spend 1 hour on the desk together,
because we are an extremely busy library and their is usually 1 hour that the
desk needs both of us. Otherwise, we split these duties.
Personally, I wouldn't want to just do programming or just do collection
development or just do reference. All of those things listed above are I what I
enjoy most.
In this way, the other librarian and I have a partnership and we work very well
together.
Cindy
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:22:00 1998
From: THRASHERS@JCL.LIB.KS.US
Subject: Bilbo Baggins Birthday Party
Greetings and salutations!
On September 22, my library is having a birthday party for everyone's
favorite hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. We are doing a Reader's Theatre presentation
of Bilbo and Gollum's riddle game, and will definitely be having some sort
of birthday cake (birthday tea?). We set the ages at 6 and above, figuring
that anyone younger than this probably wouldn't have been exposed to J.R.R.
Tolkien yet.
Has anyone done a program like this before? If so,what worked, what didn't?
Does anyone have any great "hobbit" ideas, games, activities, crafts,
etc?
Please respond to me, Shawn Thrasher, thrashers@jcl.lib.ks.us.
TIA! If anyone is interested, I will post the results of my quest
for hobbit fun and games!
Shawn Thrasher
Johnson County Library
Leawood Pioneer Branch
Leawood, Kansas
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:22:05 1998
From: katiel@sfpl.lib.ca.us
Subject: Re: Harrassment by patrons?
Hi Carrie,
My sympathies, this sounds awful. I've never had a problem of this
magnitude, but I know that anyone who called any of us a f***king old
hag would probably be banned from the library until they returned
with a parent to speak to the branch manager. Perhaps if they see
that their actions have serious consequences that might help? (Unless
you've already tried that.)
Another possiblity is to speak to the principal of the nearby middle
school. My branch manager has done that often in the past and if
you can convince the principal to drop by the library after school
and take a look around, it can have a positive effect on behavior.
On a more positive note, perhaps some sort of teen advisory council
could be formed to suggest programs of interest, or ways of dealing
with the problem behavior? (Not that teens should be making the
final decisions, but probably many kids in your library are
appalled by the behavior of the problem kids).
Do you have clear policies about what type of behavior gets people
kicked out, how many warnings, etc? If you don't, that might help
as well (especially if you can get the guards to enforce it!).
Hope some of this helps,
Katie Lynds
Children's Librarian
San Francisco Public Library
katiel@sfpl.lib.ca.us
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:22:13 1998
From: Claudia Livolsi <clivolsi@www.biblio.org>
ubject: Re: Keyboards for children
We use a regular mouse. We did have a trackball, but a child removed it and
it was never seen again.
>
>
Claudia Livolsi
Children's Librarian
Monroe Public Library
Monroe, CT
clivolsi@biblio.org
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:22:40 1998
From: "Hilary Russell" <hilary.russell@fvrl.bc.ca>
Subject: Re: Harrassment by patrons?
Carrie at Suffolk,
We had similar problems at our library - somewhat similar community
to yours (working/middle class). We tried many ways to combat the
problem including tightening up internal policies and placing flyers
with the library's expectations for patron behavior all around the
library. Nothing really worked and our library is even next door
to the Police station!
In the end, the solution was to get a security guard who came only in
the evenings. This has worked very well because the security guard
is able to keep on top of the situation in a way that staff, who are
very busy doing other things, cannot. Situations could be headed off
before they became big problems and repeat offenders could be
identified and, in one case, banned for a short time from the
library. We didn't want to go this route and tried for a long time
to be reasonable with our problem patrons but the situation simply
got worse and they respected us less as time went on. A security
guard worked and staff and patrons are much happier.
Hilary at Clearbrook
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:23:32 1998
From: Wally Bubelis <wbubelis@spl.org>
Subject: Re: Harrassment by patrons?
We have had discipline problems at a few of our branches. The most
recent policy to go into effect was simply a no-tolerance policy. Get
the kids out as soon as they act up. Ban them for a day, a week if
necessary. Sounds harsh, and the kids will protest loudly, but they will
eventually get the idea. Most kids respect some authority, and want some
discipline in their lives. As a colleague put it to me, be firm, be
quick, be fair, be consistent.
As an alternative, you could have a program on the history of swearing,
and open it up as an intellectual freedom issue (First Amendment rights
vs rights of others not to have to hear offensive speech).
Good luck,
wally bubelis
Seattle Public Library
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:23:48 1998
From: Anne Leon <sweetie@bc.seflin.org>
ubject: Re: request for craft
Re preserving spider web--I think if you spray it with hairspray (or
maybe it was spray paint) and then press a piece of paper to it, it will
stick intact on the paper. That's all I remember but perhaps someone has
an easier way. :)
that's my story and i'm stickin' to it
Anne Leon
North Regional/BCC Library
Coconut Creek, FL (Broward County)
sweetie@bc.seflin.org
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:24:34 1998
From: espicer <espicer@accn.org>
Subject: Stumper: Web site
Okay, Pubyackers--I give up! Some time ago (a couple of months, maybe)
somebody posted for our pleasure, their library's children's site. It
was a game, perhaps an online scavenger hunt, based in a castle. My
daughter really enjoyed it, but her brother erased the bookmark!! (Who
ever dreamed we'd have parenting problems like this?) I'd be
embarrassed to tell you how long I've searched for it, to no avail...
If this is your site, or you have it bookmarked, would you please
enlighten me? Thanks for your help!
Ann Perrigo, Director
Allegan (MI) Public Library
espicer@accn.org
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:25:11 1998
From: Susan LaFantasie <susanlaf@pcl1.pcl.lib.wa.us>
Subject: Re: request for craft
When I was a kid, a long time ago, we used to hold a piece of paper
behind the web, then spray painted with a contrasting color--actually, I
think it was white paper--then when you removed the paper, the outline of
the web was left. Like I said, it was a long time ago.:)
Susan LaFantasie,MLS
susanlaf@pcl.lib.wa.us
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 11:25:21 1998
From: Sandy Farmer <sfarmer@hpl.lib.tx.us>
ubject: Re: Harrassment by patrons?
Some of our libraries have police officers that stop by and do paper work
and use the phone while they are on duty. They appreciate the use of a desk
and a phone in their service area since they can leave and take calls
quickly. This seems to have cut down on the number of incidents in the
library since the officer will offer his assistance if a situation gets out
of hand.
Also I have always noticed that the tenser the staff gets the ruder the
teens get. Good luck
--------------------------------------------------------
Name: Sandy Farmer
E-mail: Sandy Farmer <sfarmer@hpl.lib.tx.us>
Houston Public Library
Date: 06/26/98
Time: 17:52:04
This message was sent by Z-Mail Pro - from NetManage
NetManage - delivers Standards Based IntraNet Solutions
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 15:21:17 1998
From: Terry Hyer <terry@spidaweb.eils.lib.id.us>
ubject: Stumper
To all of you helpful people,
We have a patron looking for a book about a rural family that home schooled
their boys and all four boys went on to attend Harvard. One of our staff
members remembers the cover but cannot remember the title or the author.
Please reply to me personally at terry@spidaweb.eils.lib.id.us.
Thank you
Terry
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 15:21:17 1998
From: "Franklin Avenue Library" <franklib@netins.net>
Subject: Stumper Answer: Princesses Rhyme and Reason
Dear Collective Mind,
Thanks a million to All! The answer was "The Phantom Tollbooth" by
Juster.
I must admit that it has been many many years since I've read that book and
I didn't remember it at all. But our patron is thrilled thanks again. Ann
E. Murray franklib@netins.net
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 15:21:19 1998
From: Meg Warren <mwarren@fones.cals.lib.ar.us>
Subject: Stumper- Poem
You know the drill---
All the patron can remember is the ending
So go away cobwebs,
Dust go to sleep,
I'm rocking my baby,
And babies don't keep.
TIA for your help!
Meg (Walker) Warren
mwarren@fones.cals.lib.ar.us
phone: 501 851 2551
fax: 501 851 2663
Assistant Librarian,
Children's Programmer,
all around great gal...
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
\1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/ \1/
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 15:21:38 1998
From: "Bill or Mary Schrader" <bills@sirius.com>
Subject: Stumper - umbrella story
My patron is looking for a book that she remembers from the 70's. It is =
a picture book about a magic kingdom with umbrella people. It had =
beautiful bright colors in the illustrations. I've checked our OPAC and =
A to Zoo. Does this ring any bells?
Please respond directly to me.
TIA - Mary Schrader
Oakland (CA) Public Library
bills@sirius.com
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 15:22:02 1998
From: "Bill or Mary Schrader" <bills@sirius.com>
Subject: Stumper - King's son
I have a young patron looking for a book that her third grade teacher =
read to the class. The girl is now 12. It is a chapter book about a =
boy who believes he may the King's missing son because he has blond hair =
and blue eyes. She believes the cover of the book is green and the =
title might have the word "factory" in it! I have checked our OPAC and
=
"Best Books for Children" by Gillespie. Any ideas? Please respond =
directly to me.
TIA - Mary Schrader
Oakland (CA) Public Library
bills@sirius.com
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 15:44:22 1998
From: "HR, Seattle Public Library" <persnel@spl.lib.wa.us>
Subject: Children's Coord. Vacancy-Seattle
Dear Colleague:
The Seattle Public Library, one of the most dynamic public
libraries in the nation, is seeking top-notch candidates for several
key opening and we are asking for your assistance in spreading the word.
Attached is brief description of the Children^Òs Services Coordinator position
we are currently recruiting for. Please review the short description and then
visit our webpage for a complete job description and list of
the desired qualifications. If you know of anyone interested in the position,
please
feel free to pass on the information.
Thank you, in advance, for any assistance you are able to provide.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Children's Services Coordinator
Pay Range: $53,265-$64,624 annually
The Children's Services Coordinator is a leadership position which
Coordinates the effective development of Library collections and
Services for children throughout Seattle's diverse community.
For More information and instructions on how to apply visit our webpage at
www.spl.org
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From owner-pubyac@nysernet.org Sat Jun 27 17:21:37 1998
From: EyeSteve@aol.com
Subject: Re: poetry stumper
Dear Pubyacers,
I have a patron who is looking for a poem she remembers from high school
(she's
about sixty, but don't tell her I said so). The verse she remembers goes like
this:
"The antiseptic baby and the prophalactic pup
were dancing in the garden when the bunny gambled up."
Hope you can help.
TIA,
Gail Fell
EyeSteve@aol.com
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