[Publib] Weather to Close (?)

[James Casey]

Gair:

 

Ten or twenty years ago, I might have agreed with you.  However, in this
era, zero computer service would mean that much of our patron and staff
service activity would be kaput.  Our backup generator keeps the main
file servers, sump pumps and some lights going, but not the 150 odd
computers in our building.  HVAC, heat, and lights are all important,
but to knock out our computers puts us pretty much out of business.
Jim

 

From: Gair Helfrich [mailto:ghelfrich at aclsys.org] 
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 11:36 AM
To: James Casey; Publib
Subject: RE: [Publib] Weather to Close (?)

 

Jim,

 

It's funny how libraries handle things in different ways. If we have a
power outage in a building and there's enough light to see we stay open
until it's too dark to see. And it doesn't matter if there's no heat or
air conditioning-we stay open.

 

Gair

 

 

From: James Casey [mailto:jcasey at oaklawnlibrary.org] 
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 9:33 AM
To: Gair Helfrich; Publib
Subject: RE: [Publib] Weather to Close (?)

 

Gair:  Thanks!  I have to make the decision here.  My Board is elected
and therefore, leaves that decision to me.  I rarely close for snow.  A
power outage will be the only sure fire reason to close.   Jim

 

From: Gair Helfrich [mailto:ghelfrich at aclsys.org] 
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:28 AM
To: James Casey; Publib
Subject: RE: [Publib] Weather to Close (?)

 

Jim,

 

Our library is a part of the county government and if snow occurs in the
early morning before "normal" county work hours-read 8:30 AM to 4:30
PM-or during the normal work day then the county executive makes the
decision about whether we close or open late. He's been in office 8
years and in that time I think we have had only one closing announced
prior to normal work hours. Instead, we usually open an hour to two
late.  We have not closed even if the governor has announced a "state of
emergency" meaning no one except essential services should be on the
road.  

 

On rare occasion we have closed during the normal work day due to
weather conditions-but the closing is usually announced for 5:00 PM. The
thinking is that it will be safer for employees to drive then, before
the "black ice" builds up on the road as it will later in the evening.
Of course, during the winter we can have black ice on the road no matter
what time it is, but we still tend to close at 5 PM if we close early. 

 

If the bad weather occurs after 5:00 PM when county administrative
offices have closed then the library director makes the call about
whether to close. 

 

Our closing/late openings are not related to school closings. Around
here the schools who bus students close at the first flake; the school
systems where students primarily walk to school tend to stay open. I
haven't figured that one out yet....

 

Gair

  

__________

Gair Helfrich, MLS

Supervising Librarian

Information & Technical Services Manager

Atlantic County Library

40 Farragut Avenue

Mays Landing, NJ 08330

609-625-2776 ext. 6327  Fax: 609-625-8143

ghelfrich at aclsys.org

 

 

 

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of James Casey
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 9:07 AM
To: Publib
Subject: [Publib] Weather to Close (?)

 

Back on February 1st --- that snowy Friday in the Chicago area where
those of us in the South Suburbs had nearly a dozen inches of snow and
"more on the way" - I awoke at 5 AM and shoveled my drive way with the
determination that at about 6 AM I would begin the process of calling
Department Heads and starting the 
"telephone tree" to announce that the Library would be closed on that
day.   I even tried to drive into the Library (1.5 miles away) at about
6 AM to see how conditions were on the main streets and in the areas
surrounding the Library.   To me, it was clear that conditions strongly
indicated "snow day".

 

However, the local website for school closings indicated that both of
the public high schools in the Village of Oak Lawn were NOT listed as
closing and the Chicago Public Schools had announced that they were
determined to stay open.   The Oak Lawn High Schools finally announced
that they were closing, but not until about 7:30 AM.   The Chicago
Public Schools stayed open --- which I understand means that the Chicago
Public Library stayed open --- and Homewood-Flossmoor Public Schools
also stayed open all day albeit with far fewer than normal students and
teachers around.   In the past, it seemed sensible to me that the
schools would likely close due to bus transportation issues, but I
suppose that this is changing.

 

Are some schools and libraries under political pressure to remain open
despite the severe weather conditions in order to provide "day care" for
youngsters?  

 

Do some public libraries determine not to close if the schools remain
open?

 

James B. Casey --- My own views and questions

Director of Oak Lawn Public Library

ALA Council Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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