[Publib] Patron disagrees with challenged and/or homeless people inthe library

[Kevin Okelly]

I think this is one of those situations (per George) 
where more information is needed.

I remember hearing about a year ago that one of our odder patrons was
reported to the police for staring in a woman's window. This man has
been a library patron for years;  he is so oblivious to social norms
and behavioral expectations (for example, I once caught him rolling
cigareetes (and spilling tobacco everywhere) in a corner of the main
reading room) that I can honestly believe he was a)innocently staring in a
window not even thinking about the fact he might be causing someone
distress or b) just staring off into space and not realizing he was in
front of someone's window. 

When I ran these ideas by some of my female colleagues they agreed 
either a or b was perfectly plausible.

Kevin O'Kelly
Reference and Cataloging Librarian
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617)-623-5000


-----Original Message-----
From: "George Hazelton" <ghazelton at mail.henry.public.lib.ga.us>
To: "'Denise Johnson'" <denise_johnson at co.midland.tx.us>, "'PubLib'"
<publib at webjunction.org>
Cc: 
Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 10:05:30 -0400
Subject: RE: [Publib] Patron disagrees with challenged and/or homeless
people inthe library

> The man who made faces may have been suffering from tardive dyskensia. 
> This
> is the result from long-term use of prescription anti-psychotic drugs
> and is
> essentially untreatable.  Involuntary chewing motions, lip-smacking,
> tics,
> etc are markers.  I would suggest that, unless the man "pursues" her in
> the
> library that she should find another seat and have pity and compassion
> for
> someone dealing the best he can with a dreadful situation.  The
> sufferer is
> aware of the problem, but really can't do anything about it.
> 
>  
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
> [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
> On Behalf Of Denise Johnson
> Sent: Monday, September 29, 2008 5:52 PM
> To: PubLib
> Subject: [Publib] Patron disagrees with challenged and/or homeless
> people
> inthe library
> 
>  
> 
> Suggestions from the collective wisdom will be appreciated.
> 
>  
> 
> I had a telephone call waiting for me Monday morning (before my second
> cuppa-if you can believe it). A next county-over resident who has a
> valid
> (e.g. non-blocked) library card at our library was incensed that she
> had to
> endure being looked at by one of our perennial "odd" patrons. The man
> was in
> both of the locations in the library she was trying to use. According
> to her
> she was using the library "for the purpose for which the library was
> intended." He kept looking at her and making faces. She was
> uncomfortable
> and left. 
> 
>  
> 
> She did complain while she was here and was politely told that he is a
> citizen and he has the right to be in the building. She didn't like
> that
> answer and wants us to DO something. This is a adult women who has a
> professional career that would require her to deal with difficult
> customers
> and not lost her employer's customers. [On the other hand, I can
> understand
> the feeling of, "I put up with this at work. Why should I have to put
> up
> with it on my own time, too?"]
> 
>  
> 
> However, she wants me to call her as soon as she returns from an
> out-of-town
> trip. She knows our policy and doesn't like it. Since we have already
> told
> her: the policy, the reason for the policy, the compassion for the less
> capable, and the "everyone else has rights too". Do you have any other
> words
> of wisdom?
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> This e-mail contains the thoughts and opinions of Denise Johnson and
> does
> not represent official Midland County Policy.
> 
> Denise Johnson, County Librarian
> Midland County Public Library
> 301 W. Missouri Ave
> Midland, TX 79701
> Direct Phone:(432) 688-4333
> Fax: (432) 688-4939
> e-mail denise_johnson at co.midland.tx.us
> Main Library number (432) 688-4320
>