[Publib] re: Drugs in the library

[Linda Ballard]

M. McGrorty, just down the road from the zoo. wrote:  "The Los Angeles
Central Library had more thefts last year of personal 

property -- excluding shoplifting -- than any location in the downtown
area." and referenced the article reporting this.  

 

Actually, if the article is accurate I am AMAZED that there were only 31
reported thefts - in a library that has 7,000 visitors daily.  These
weren't holdups, evidently, but crimes of opportunity which will happen
anywhere. Our library (250,000 or so visits per year) has several
reported thefts of cell phones, bikes, and purses every year.  In almost
all cases, the patron just walked away from the item of value.  There is
a perception that libraries are safe places, I guess (even though we all
know otherwise), and people may be more careless.  I am extremely
careful but recently had my purse stolen at a very nice restaurant when
I forgot to pick it up when I moved to a different table. It only took a
moment of distraction.

 

The rest of M. McGrorty's post seems less about the theft problem (or
drugs) than what are usually called "problem patrons."   It seems more
than a little harsh towards the many, mostly harmless, denizens who find
libraries inviting places.  We all have them.  And not just in urban
areas (although our library is in one).  I'm not crazy (no pun intended)
about some of them, but if they are not disturbing others, they can
stay.  No eating, sleeping, bathing, or bothering others with reports on
what the aliens are telling you - and we do enforce this, along with a
certain standard of personal hygiene.  

 

M. McGrorty doesn't seem to approve of either the clientele or the books
in public libraries.  I guess gadflies on the list are good in that they
make us rethink our own perceptions, but I do wonder if there is
anything in or about public libraries that does meet his high standards.


 

 

Linda V. Ballard 

Director, University City Public Library

6701 Delmar Blvd.

University City MO 63130

314.727.3150; fax, 314.727.6005

 

 

 

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