[Publib] children of staff

[BookBitch]

This really hit a nerve with me, too.  First, policy -
my library has one:

PURPOSE: To establish guidelines for visits by guests
of employees. 

POLICY: Guests, including children and other
relatives, may occasionally visit for short 
periods of time in work areas. 

PROCEDURE: If children or guests come to the Library,
they should wait for the employee in the public
service area or staff room. If there is a question
concerning a visitor, the employee should 
consult his/her supervisor. 

That said, my child spent a lot of time in the
library.  She was about 8 years old when I started,
and she spend many, many afternoons and weekends
hanging out in the library while I worked.  I am very
fortunate that we have a wonderful youth services
staff with many activities going on, and that my child
is a reader.  She was quite happy to curl up with a
book, or two or three and she rarely bothered me or
anyone else.

Prior to the library, I worked for Borders and she
hung out there a lot too.  Management - I mean the
General Manager/Borders & the Branch Manager/Library -
were both understanding, Borders much more so
surprisingly enough. Perhaps because my GM had kids,
and my branch manager doesn't, I don't know. 

At one time my branch manager told me that my child
wasn't allowed in the staff area (break room or
bathroom) without me, and that is when I found out
about the above policy.  I was glad we had it because
it ended that problem.  I was a stay-at-home mom for
many years, and it was hard for me to work full time
when she was so little.  Frankly, I loved that I could
have my child near me after school.  

I don't think I would want to work for a library that
had such a rigid "no kids" policy.  If they treat
employees' kids that way, how do they treat the
public?  I can't help but wonder.

Stacy Alesi
Library Name *Censored*
Boca Raton, Florida
& MLIS student at USF


-----Original Message-----
From: GraceAnne Andreassi DeCandido
<ladyhawk at well.com>
To: Deborah <librarydragon1 at yahoo.com>,
publib at webjunction.org
Cc: 
Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:00:30 -0500
Subject: Re: [Publib] children of staff

> Wow. That one hits a nerve, even after all these years.

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