[Publib] Latecomers to story hours

[Mark Furukawa]

I agree that, with children, there are times you are going to run a little
late, but I don't think 25 minutes can be considered "a little late" for a
program that runs 45 minutes to an hour.

Yes, courtesy is a part of the reason I would not welcome someone this late
(not because I'd be trying to teach courtesy to the rude mother, but because
I refuse to be treated, or have the other attendees treated, so
discourteously). But, the primary reason is that the story times are
structured to be more than merely play-time - they are a designed to be a
learning experience for the children, and we present it as such to the
parents. We try to minimize unnecessary interruptions so the children who
attend have opportunity to get the most benefits of the experience.

In addition, the library is providing a valuable, costly, professional
service. We need to present it as such. Showing up 25 minutes late for an
appointment, I'd expect to be charged for the missed appointment and have to
reschedule, not be told "oh well, what I was doing isn't important, my time
isn't valuable, it's ok that you're so late". 
 
I have no problem making allowances for last minute mini-emergencies such as
the inopportunely filled diaper one responder mentioned - to quote Forrest
Gump, "s***t happens" (but I'd prefer the box of chocolates). 

At my branches, parents are told up front, if they are more than 10 minutes
late, they may bring their child next time, but will not be able to attend
today. Parents who are consistently a couple of minutes late are given a
gentle reminder that we, and the other attendees, would be appreciative if
they made a special effort to arrive on time.

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Mark Furukawa, Branch Head
Calumet Township Branches
of Lake County Public Library
940 N. Broad St.
Griffith, IN 46319-1528 (USA)
mfurukawa(at)lakeco.lib.in.us
http://www.lakeco.lib.in.us/griffith.htm
http://www.lakeco.lib.in.us/blackoak.htm
http://www.lakeco.lib.in.us/fortyfirst.htm
     May I deal with honor,
     May I act with courage,
     May I achieve humility.
                from "Straight"
                by Dick Francis
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