Security at the Library

Last August we brought in a security company to help us with our security problems. Many of you remember the chaos that had become part of everyone's library experience starting at about 3:00 every afternoon. The problem with unruly kids had been confronted by library staff from the beginning - we wanted to turn the kids around - we thought we could reach them with argument, or with reward/punishment, we thought we could appeal to their better natures or to their parents, we thought that maybe we could single out the "real" trouble makers and then the problem would be solved. BUT, after a year and a half of butting our heads against a brick wall we brought in the pro's, and it worked.

When I say having a security guard worked I don't mean we have no more problem teens or adults, I mean that we have a professional to confront the person and resolve the matter. Staff is free to do library business and our security person is here to keep order and to keep the public safe. Just last night a small group of teenage girls were ejected from the library after raising a ruckus, abusing library staff with verbal filth and threats and generally making problems for everyone using the library at the time. Will they be back? They are welcome to come back if they bring a parent and are willing to sit down with library staff and go through a review of their behavior and what will be necessary for them to change in order to be allowed back.

I think many of the patrons that had been frightened off by the rowdy people at the library have returned and are using the library again, and for that we are grateful. We at the library remind ourselves regularly that our public service is a voluntary and consensual activity by the public - they don't have to use us and it behooves us to make their experience at the library a positive one that meets their needs, otherwise - we fail.

Our policy is about behavior. Everyone is welcome here at first. We are maybe one of the most neutral public services in Independence. We accept everyone at face value - at first, but we are committed to providing a public building that is safe for an 8-year old child to use on their own and we do what is necessary to keep that commitment - no apologies.