[Publib] Library Closing for "after school hours"

[Ed Rossman]

Closing a library to everyone for even a brief period after school (2 hours in this case) is like running up a white flag to ignorance. 

As I mention in my book, “Castles Against Ignorance”,  I would try instead to target a few of the student's leaders and deal with them, rather that a huge, anonymous crowd. 

As I say in my chapter on group dialogue, “Sometimes just turning one person's mind around, getting just one to identify with what you're looking for, is enough to gain commitment from the rest of the group. People of any age like to feel responsible… Speaking directly to one, while addressing the whole group, is a powerful technique. Keeping steady but friendly eye contact, hand gestures, pointing at them, showing confidence that you understand that they "get it" as far as what's expected, will empower them and help them identify with you as a person more. And in situations where there's a personal bond, especially an authority figure giving them respectful dialogue, the rewards can be quite high. Your success comes when the group leader, not you, monitors their actions in the library. Help a child or adult feel responsible and oftentimes they will be.”

I also add that this is an opportunity for bringing people into the library field; identifying young leaders and giving them responsibility can eventually lead to having them work with you part-time, and after that, who knows? Hopefully seeing how much a library can offer besides a place to hang out can help some make a career decision. 

In  my years at Lakewood Public Library I was able to do this with a young Albanian “Gamer” who was constantly annoying librarians by jumping from PC to PC. We offered him part-time work and he was great, keeping other kids in check and now, 5 years later, teaches computer classes for us and may go on to MLIS school after he finishes at John Carroll. 

In Shaker I work at two branches each about 100 yards away from a Middle and High school. We have guards at the High school one, occasionally at the Middle School branch. The guards agree that ejecting kids for noise is not effective in the long term. They brag about it and make it a game. Dialogue, structure and a sense of respect and responsibility are what the kids need and deserve, and why I consider Group Dialogue an essential skill against ignorance. 

Ed Rossman
http://www.castles411.com

Adult Services
Shaker Heights Public Library
(P)(216)991-2030
www.shakerlibrary.org