[Publib] Patron disagrees with challenged and/or homeless people in the library--addendum

[Kevin Okelly]

And forgive me if this point has already been raised and I missed it: I do 
empathize with the desire for a calm quiet enviroment where people don't
do things like make faces at one (truly); but with municipal and state
budget cuts (even here in Taxachusetts) many mentally ill and/or homeless
people simply have no other place to go. 

It's just a fact that needs to be taken into consideration in such
discussions.

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
>