[Publib] Library Closing for "after school hours"

[James Casey]

I agree with Kathi.  Many suburban Chicago libraries have had this same
problem with rowdy middle school youth.  Shutting the doors on all of
them isn't a viable answer.  

We worked with our local police to "cut off the snake's head" -- as
several of the high ranking officers have phrased the process of
separating the ringleaders and trouble instigators from the overwhelming
majority of good kids who sometimes have a difficult time containing
their youthful energies.  We have long had a policy on "barring
disruptive patrons" from the Library and have used it for adults with
the director implementing the procedure.  With youngsters, our policy
allows the local police to institute the barring notice by presenting it
directly to the parents of the youngster.  This has seemed to work quite
well since it was instituted back in March 2006.  Involving the parents
is a key element of this process.  Police will maintain records of those
youngsters previously barred and warnings that further disruption could
give rise to prosecution for criminal trespass sends off further a
warning bell.  To a very large extent, the police have much greater
leverage with youngsters and families than do the Library personnel.  

Staff are not forced to keep track of previously barred youth.  Nor are
the staff and security guards expected to physically separate fighting
kids and/or deal with threatening conduct.  They just call 911 whenever
disciplinary problems persist and/or the youngsters are defiant or
threatening.  Once the police are on site, they deal with the issues and
implement the barring process after bringing the parents into the
conversation.  Once youngsters become known as "repeat offenders", by
the police, more severe actions could be taken.

As Library staff are not able to physically discipline youngsters and
cannot ordinarily obtain information from the police about juvenile
offenders (such as parent or guardian names addresses), the police
officers are in a better situation to "lay down the law" and involve
parents.  

James B. Casey --- My own views.
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Member (running for re-election).  



-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Kathi Kemp-Tejeda
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 11:57 AM
To: Abigail Goben; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] Library Closing for "after school hours"

I'm against closing the library for those hours. That
punishes the non-problem patrons. It's a real struggle
to keep middle school kids behaving the way we'd like
(as in, not disrupting the library visit for other
patrons, respecting the facilities and keeping a
modicum of quiet), but it can be done.  

Consistency in enforcement of clear rules, working
with schools and law enforcement, and being proactive
with informing problem kids' parents when possible,
work.  When kids know the rules and see consequences
meted out to offenders, they usually (uh, often, OK,
sometimes) comply.  If they don't, kick 'em out.  Keep
a list and give it to the local police.

Kathi Kemp-Director
Eager Free Public Library
Evansville, Wisconsin