[Publib] Volunteer

[Lise Chlebanowski]

I have a colleague who is having a problem with a volunteer and I told her I would ask the group on her behalf so as not to give away the identity of the library or the volunteer. I have copied and pasted the description of her problem below:

 

"The volunteer is severely handicapped, but can do light shelving. He is speech and mobility impaired and uses a walker. His condition causes him to frequently lose his balance and he has been found on several occasions on the floor on his back unable to get up. He has been a volunteer at her library for several months and has gotten familiar with the staff. Too familiar, in some cases muttering joyfully lewd phrases and making inappropriate gestures to staff. He is always happy but frequently interrupts staff meetings and talks over patrons. Lately he has been helping himself to the staff refrigerator and is eating everything in sight. He also helps himself to community food without practicing good sanitary habits, so we can't leave food out anymore. In addition he spends more time in the staff workroom and just sitting around than he does working.

 

His wife sends him to the library three times a week for an entire day where he is delivered by Dial-A-Ride.  On one occasion the library had to close unexpectedly and we called his wife to have him picked up early and she was very argumentative and did not want to cooperate. It seems that she too is using the library as a baby-sitter for him. I'm at my wits end. We don't know what to do!"

 

Has anyone had a situation like this? I think my colleague doesn't want to hurt his feelings and the wife is challenging. Maybe someone has had a similar situation and you might have a diplomatic letter on file??? I think that's what she's hoping for. Please reply off-list if you have any words of wisdom. Thanks in advance! 

 

Lisë Chlebanowski

Library Manager

Avondale Old Town Library

328 W. Western Ave.

Avondale, AZ   85323

lchlebanowski at avondale.org

623-333-2611

623-333-0260 Fax

 

Now Reading: A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Now Listening: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

 

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