[Publib] RE: signage in teen areas

[Christopher F. Bowen]

In addition to adult patrons who like to use the restaurant booth for a
work space and the homeless guys who like to stretch out on the bean bag
chairs as an excuse to sleep on the floor, we had a problem with a few
adult male patrons who like to sit in our Teen Central area to watch the
young women. We finally put up signs saying that "Teen Central is
reserved for teens-only after school and on weekends, unless all other
library seating is in use." We expected that staff would have to tell
patrons to move, and then point out the signs when patrons asked why,
but in fact most of the patrons seem to have seen the signs and moved on
their own. We do still have to tell patrons that they can't lay on the
floor and sleep, during the day. 

And, by the way, so far we have not had any complaints from patrons
asking why we don't have a space for senior citizens, or other groups --
my biggest fear when we posted the teen signs.

Christopher F. Bowen
Library Director
Downers Grove Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: "Joshua Carlson" <carlsonjj at gmail.com>
Subject: [Publib] teen area signage--teens only!

We're opening our new teen space soon.  Does anyone have any
suggestions for signage that would clearly indicate it is a "teens
only" space to adults without being disrespectful?