[Publib] RE: Child abuse?

[James Casey]

Our staff has a simple rule with which to respond to violent or
potentially life threatening situations.  Call 911 and secure the
services of police and/or emergency personnel as soon as possible.
While we aren't in a position to make value judgments and --- as Chris
points out --- diagnose when/if child abuse is taking place, we can move
quickly to call upon professionals who can make an assessment.  

James B. Casey -- My own views
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Member



-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Christopher F.
Bowen
Sent: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:21 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] RE: Child abuse?

I agree completely with the responses that stated that the privacy issue
ends, when staff witness an individual committing a crime in the
library. Of course when the staff report the crime, they do not include
a list of the books the parent has checked out -- even if that list
includes the Dummy's Guide to Child Abuse -- that does require the court
order in most states. 

I do want to jump in on the several comments that public librarians have
the same legal responsibilities as teachers, nurses, etc. Teachers
legally act in place of the parent. I have never heard of any state that
includes public library employees in the category of workers with this
sort of legal responsibility. Teachers see their students on a daily
basis and are trained and expected to know them well enough that they
are aware of patterns of abuse that are much more subtle than the
grotesque behavior that was described in the original post. Similarly,
teachers are responsible for making sure that their students are not
picked up strangers, or estranged parents, etc. Library staff do not
have that same level of responsibility, and we do not want to take it
on. That is why most libraries have rules that require children under a
certain age to be accompanied by parents or caregivers, for example. 

On a side note, when child abuse cases are investigated the authorities
talk with neighbors and relatives of the suspected abuser. Library
administrators need to be prepared for the really, really angry parent
who will storm your office demanding to know the name of the staff
member filed the complaint, and caused them such terrible embarrassment.

Been there, done that!

Christopher Bowen
Downers Grove Public Library 
 

-----Original Message-----
As someone else mentioned, teachers, librarians, nurses, others are
REQUIRED to report such crimes under penalty of law - not to mention
one's conscience...
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