[Publib] After hours library use

[AMMON, BETTE]

 In my former library and in my current library, we have computer
classes before the library opens and since other staff are here doing
those "prepare for opening" kinds of activities, there is no issue of
being alone. Of course, someone has to be stationed at the door to let
those early birds in.

The ideal situation for us would be to write a successful grant for a
portable laptop lab that we could use for training in a meeting room
during open hours.


Bette Ammon, director
Coeur d'Alene Public Library
201 E. Harrison Ave
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814-3240
Phone: (208)769-2315 | Fax: (208)769-2381
bammon at cdalibrary.org


-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Katie Knight
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2006 1:32 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] After hours library use

Hello librarians,

I have another question for you wonderful people.  It seems to me that
this was answered in part a little while ago, but I'd still like a
little more clarification, if possible.

I was pressured recently by our library director to begin teaching
computer classes (how to use a mouse, what a search engine is, how to
search, and so on).  This is something that I'd love to do for our
library patrons, however we only have 10 public computers, all of which
are nearly always in use.  We have no classroom, we have no laptops.
The 10 PCs are it.

The only way that I would be able to teach classes to the public would
be for me to either:
a) kick folks off of the computers at a designated time (I feel that
this is
unfair)
or
b) teach after hours, when the library is oficially closed.

The latter choice strikes me as both dangerous (I'd be the only staff
member in the library) and as a liability.

Now the problem is that I have been told that I cannot "kick" folks off
of the computers to teach classes (and I really wouldn't want to do
that, anyway, for a variety of reasons), and that I should open the
doors after hours and teach classes while the library is closed
(officially).  I was also told that other libraries do this, and that it
is not a liability.

Is this true?  Do other libraries (specifically ones with few PCs to go
around) do odd stuff like open after hours for instruction and things
like that?

I truly want to do what is best for the community, but I also want to be
safe.  Thoughts?  Solutions?  Ideas?

As always, I anxiously await your wisdom.

Thanks,

-Katie

Katie Knight
Adult Services Librarian
Granville County Public Library System
Thornton Library
210 Main Street
Oxford, NC 27565

Phone: 919 693-1121
Fax: 919 693-2244



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