[Publib] Ah, the joys of returning students

[Ed Rossman]

Ah, the joys of returning students

An irate elderly patron dropped by the desk last night, fairly incensed
about some chattering teens on computers; we're located about 4 blocks
from Shaker High and they probably had been a little snotty to her own
reproachful looks. 

I explained that it's a fine line librarians have to draw, when to be
nurturing and when to be ruthless. It's like the weather. High pressure
is like rigid, ruthless enforcement of noise rules. Too much high
pressure too long, and the land becomes arid, dry, like a
desert...suppressing relationship building, collaborative learning,
creativity. Low pressure is tolerant nurturing of their social behavior.
Too much low pressure, and the land becomes saturated, flooded, also
unable to support life, disrupting focus, distracting attention to
detail, inhibiting private inspiration and problem solving. We need to
have a balance of both, and when high and low pressure clashes, well, we
have a thunderstorm! 

Thanks for pointing out the problem I said. She laughed, took the point,
moved towards the circ desk with her books, and I moved towards the
computers where some guilty looking students had been watching us,
listening.

Dealing with groups of teens is just one of the 27 chapters in my book,
Castles against ignorance: How to make libraries great educational
environments. You can look at it here: http://www.castles411.com/group.doc

Am hoping to see some of you at one of my two presentations this month,
in Columbus at the Ohio Library Council 2007 Convention, Thursday, Oct.
11, or in Kansas City for a full workshop based on the book, on Oct. 23:
http://www.kcmlin.org/wsfall0702.htm

Have a great Friday, and weekend!

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