Comments on: Minding Your Manners in Seattle

By: TheMerryLibrarian

TheMerryLibrarian — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:55:18 +0000

In Cleaver days, librarians shushed the rowdy little Beavers who whispered exitedly about 3 peppermint sticks for a penny down at the sweets shop. Nowadays, librarians in places like Seattle have to sincerely hope the metal detectors are still working properly when they ask patrons to behave–no matter how gently they ask. Times have changed; but it seems the stereotypical image of the shushing librarian has not. There’s no place like a library! (www.merrylibrarian.com)

By: de8rd

de8rd — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:06:17 +0000

". . .civilized behavior. Is that really so much to ask for?"

In today's society, there is no civilized behavior. You want that? Get a time machine and go back and hob-nob with the Cleavers.

By: DD

DD — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:14:06 +0000

As someone who is looking forward to paying off student loans for several years to come and worked very hard for the post-graduate degree that was required for my job position, I resent the days when I have to come in to work and act like a security guard in a suit. Note, then, that I have just as many problems–if not more–with folks who come in with their sense of entitlement that comes from their six-figure income as I do with the patrons that need to carry in all their worldly possessions.

So much of the ensuing discussion has focused on socio-economic status that I am irritated to have to remind you all that the purpose behind the original article and AL’s response is civilized behavior. Is that really so much to ask for? I don’t mind if my patrons don’t bathe, but that is not a free pass to panhandle or leer at my other patrons.

I strive to make our library a facility that is a welcoming and comfortable place for the public–ALL of the public. I don’t care what you wear, where you go when the library closes or what you do when you are not here, but while you are within these walls, dignity and respect is required.

By: Lame Duck

Lame Duck — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:56:34 +0000

I volunteered in a Seattle neighborhood library in the 90s. Every evening a few homeless dudes would take their places in the children’s section and go to sleep until closing. The head librarian, the neighborhood parents and other patrons gave the dudes their space.

The next public library I worked in was in a conservative, affluent suburb where the internet is filtered and kids take their parents’ meds in the restroom.

Go loiter in your nearest public library and check out:
“Free for All” by Dan Borchert
“Quiet Please” by Scott Douglas

By: mg

mg — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:34:32 +0000

tighten up the buns (and whatever else), but please make sure that we keep them all out.

it’s a bitch of a job, but people need it. we will never know who and how many benefit from our objectivity and obvious struggle in maintaining civility (of some sort).

By: coldbrains

coldbrains — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:44:23 +0000

offended patron, I’m with you.

Would you rather be panhandled on the street or inconvenienced by a hygienically-challenged person trying to escape the outside world? You use the public library because it’s a safe space; did it ever occur to you the homeless use it for the same reason?

By: offended patron

offended patron — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:29:58 +0000

Not by the homeless but by many of the librarians who have commented here. I never realized you were such a vile bunch.

By: Godwin Librarian

Godwin Librarian — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:32:48 +0000

Godwin’s Law violated by pnbhn who commented:

“The Annoyed Librarian should be renamed the Library Nazi.”

This discussion must now cease.

By: kbd33

kbd33 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:53:14 +0000

We have one person come into the library on a daily basis who never bathes, changes their clothes much less their underwear, is usually drunk, falls asleep everywhere in the library, hits on young boys and girls, vomits in trash cans (if we are lucky)....

We would kick them out but we really do need a director.

By: Elisa

Elisa — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:29:03 +0000

To add on to NotMarianTheLibrarian’s post, no current college id, no entry!

Bacon, I wish my library had similiar rules.