Teens are too much, Library Closes. Oh No!

OK, this is probably one of my many posts on this topic.

Like Michael Stephens said:"I think we'll see this one RIPPLE across the Biblioblogosphere like crazy in the next few days." I (as always) also agree so much with Michael Casey's post that this article:"...depicts a problem that many libraries face; large numbers of teens congregating after school hours. Maplewood is not unique in having this "problem"."

I just can't help but suspect that they are going tot his extreme as a means to an end that is not clearly stated right now. Maybe they have been denied funding for a security guard and this can get the community to react and help them get one?

In staff training I constantly remind them of this:
1-Being in public service, you will have to deal with a certain amount of rudeness everyday, from a variety of customers. You have to respond to rudeness with kindness. Be nice to people having a bad day (or bad manners) and you may just turn them around.

2-There is a clear line between rudeness and threat, vandalism, etc..Those should not be tolerated. You have to respond to abuse with solid determination. Protect yourself, your customers and the space we share. Excluding abusers thru privilege suspension or law enforcement involvement will result in a better environment for everyone.


I have said it before, some of it has to do with our expectations, and our willingness to explore ALL our options when faced with SUCCESS issues like this. At MPOW we have had to review policies, provide staff with additional training, and we have had much success with addressing SPACE to create an environment where diverse users can see divers needs met without too much interference. Yea, I'm really proud of that because it HAS WORKED for us. You'd be surprised to hear how many older patrons have appreciated just seeing and HEARING US SAY we value and want to preserve some quiet space for them. You should know that for every one teen that urinates on a bathroom floor, there are 10 that become very pleasant when told they will not be allowed to use public PCs if they don't "respect themselves, others, the space" and 100 that were bright and funny and well behaved to begin with.

/soapbox/end>

technorati tags:library-20, library2.0, library 2.0, libraries, policies, customers,teens

5 things meme

Wow, (Yea!)
I've been tagged by Michael Casey to write 5 things you don't know about me.
Like they said before me: "If you don't care to know (and you may not) just move on!

1-I don't have a computer at home. It's true! (It is great for customer empathy.)
2-My degree is in "Art and technology of the media" with a specialty in advertising.
3-(which may explain why) I learned computing on Macs... (and that does explain why) I never missed a beat getting back into technology 15 years later in my 1st library job. (after having "not touched a thing" for all that time...)
4- Libraries are the latest field I come to after I have cycled thru every aspects of book related work, from publishing, to distributing, marketing, purchasing and retail.
5- French is my mother tongue, English is a second language to me (my husband thongue ;)

tagging: The Illustrated Librarian, the goblin in the library, Mack, Stephen Abram and Rochelle

real estate again!

I am so proud of this one. Major Branch modifications without large $ investment. Enhancing the value that our traditionnal users were feeling like they were loosing by creating a true quiet area, making teens more comfortable by putting them in a space where they are affecting others less, and library staff happier to have them closer by, so they can be available to help... And also allowing all to feature/discover/enjoy the great new services and stuff we have.
See my flickr set on a branch transformation.

I'm all giddy.
more to come


technorati tags:library-20, library2.0, library 2.0, libraries, policies, customers

Not forgetting, upgrading

...swamped right now with preparations for a Unicorn upgrade.
I have been doing these for over 10 years now but this one seems to make me worry more than usual...

to reward your patience, here is a handsome dog sleeping on a long car ride


more to come...
...soon I promise.

technorati tags:dogs, labs, puppy, libraries,

location, location, location

It'a been my mantra of late:

"It's ALL ABOUT the real estate!"

Most time, it's no longer about the money, the technical ability or the will of management, it's about the real estate! Where would we: put it, show it, hold it etc. ?
I mean, it's not easy to get funds for new computers, but even when we have them given to us, the question remains, do we have tables, chairs, square footage (with access to power and network) ...

Here at MPOW, we have been abole to get really creative and create a YA area almost from scratch. Using shelving to create intimacy (and as noise barriers), we made it work. We stole 2 tables from the meeting rooms, 6 chairs from various public spaces (don't tell...) and I got each unit at the main library to "sacrifice" one of their PCs for the cause. Some part timers agreed to share other's staff's machines, ref reduced the number of public "catalog only" machines etc. Everyone was so great!
It is what I consider our greatest success of 2006.

View the short flickr set here




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