Incident reports in your public library

Happy Reading!

1. Ms. Smith was in today and once again touched a childs face/hair and a circ pth witessed this. I approached her and gave her a warning that this would result in banning from the library for a designated time if it happened again. She assured me that she encouraged the child to stay with their parents and gently touched his head. She is not a pervert etc. I told her touching any child no matter how gentle and kind she thought it was, was still considered inappropriate and would result in a banning if it happened again. She said she knows people in this country don't like her because she is the princess of France and so she will just go back to her country. ( Earlier this year she told us her father, King of France, is held captive in our basement by George Bush.

2.Patron denied fondling himself at BDN
Ann and I noticed a patron fondling himself at one of the computers. I went over and asked him to remove his hand and he said he was 'rubbing his stomach.' He stopped and later left the building.

3.Excessive & Inappropriate Use of Public Restroom

Today I spoke to a semi-regular patron (homeless, we think) whom we discovered had spent 3 hrs and 20 min yesterday in one of the public restrooms, and who left water on the floor (after attempting to wipe up) and bits of hair and whiskers on the toilet bowl. Circ staff heard him mumbling gibberish at times.

Patron admitted to washing, cutting his hair, and washing some clothes. He said he tried to clean up after himself. He agreed that he spent a lot of time, but he said this would not happen again, as he had cut his hair very short. He also talked fancifully about the water and whiskers re-appearing after he cleaned them up, attributing this possibly to "devils". This is the same patron whom staff observed several months ago standing on the sidewalk in front of the library for hours, simply staring across the street.

I told him he needed to limit his time in the restroom and that washing clothes, cuting hair, and shaving were not "stated public functions" of a public restroom. If he did any of these things in the future, we would invoke the banning procedures. I also directed him to inform us in the future if there was a mess in the restroom when he left.

When we asked if the library could provide him with any references to other resources, he said we already had done this, but he did ask about fitness clubs in the area. He had patronized one in the past to use their shower facilities.

When asked, he said his name was "Jack", but that sometimes he is called "Billy".

4.Bathroom at Closing

At 4:59pm on Saturday, 3/17/12, one of our public bathrooms was occupied. I knocked on the door to be told by a woman that it was occupied. I told her the library was closing. After 5, after patrons had cleared the building, I again knocked and told her that the library was now closed, no response. After repeated knockings and partially lowering our shutters, she mumbled something. She emerged at 5:06pm. She said "oh you really are closed" and I opened the door for her, then locked the door and turned to lower the shutters. Out from the door that had closed when the woman vacated the bathroom emerged a man! I unlocked the door and let him out. He said nothing. I proceeded to lower the shutters and finish closing the building. We left the building about 5:15pm.

It's all in a day's work.......

a busy slacker

Wow...thought about the blog this morning and realized I hadn't been here in about 2 weeks. I can blame it on being busy I suppose. Our neighbor dropped dead at his mailbox just about a week ago. Such a tragedy..fortunately (or unfortunately) Andrew was home at the time and probably witnessed more than he wanted to. But in his true helping nature, he was there to assist in any way he could.
I just returned from Philadelphia from the Public Library conference. Talk about operating on a shoestring budget. We were there for 3 days and only paid for a breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Vendors were offering free breakfast, free lunch, and I received continuing eduaction credits as well. Highlights were seeing Betty White speak and our fantastic dinner with the vendors of Brainfuse. it does really pay off to be an extrovert...I simply announced to the group how much I enjoyed their product and the next thing you know, we had an invite to dinner at a very nice restaurant. And it didn't hurt that they were all Italian and eye candy. Ah, my father taught me well. We traveled to conferences all the time and he showed me how to maximize your enjoyment. And the other highlight was meeting Carl Hiassen. He is very down to earth and funny. Explains his books..
Back to the real world of libraries tomorrow. Let's hope its free of the sit down man in his rain attire.

Library customer

I am sitting at the information desk on this beautiful and quiet afternoon and in walks our regular 'politician'. He is a youngish guy, in his 30's perhaps, always carrying a manila envelope, his cigarettes, his cell phone, and his coffee cup. Here is what transpired:

"Hey sweetheart. I need some help with a few things. i am at a disadvantage. I really appreciate your help.'

"ok..what can I help you with?" (meanwhile, the red flags are flapping in the wind)

"Okay, so I need information on record companies in maryland..you know..the ones who have labels. I am going to record my CD soon, which will have 30 songs on it."

"Okay..here you are."

"now I need information on the Independence party. I am changing from a Republican party to Independence and need a contact person to ask some questions about the party. I am running for governor."

Me-"You mean the Independent party?"

"Yes, yes....that..anything u have at all..." And I also need Hugh Hefner's office number in California. I was going to buy Playboy magazine but things got in my way. He has to have a secretary I can talk to."

"All righty...anything else?"

"I need information on balligomiss."

Me-"Not sure what you are asking for."

"you know, the men who have lots of wives".

"AH-polygamists."

"Yeah, thats it. Where do they live in maryland? And where else do they live? I appreciate your help by the way. I am at a disadvantage because I have no car and there's no transportation down here and my 6 businesses were shut down."

me-"They live in Utah from what I understand."

"Really??? Are you sure about that?"

me"well, pretty sure-thats where the Mormon church is and it a splinter group of the Mormon church'"

"well, if they live in Utah, they live in Maryland as well."

"Not too sure about that."

"thanks so much for your help sweetheart. Hey, do you have a meeting room????"

be afraid......be very afraid.....

county politics

I am fully aware of the vast differences in parties these days and I am open minded enough to hear the other side, even though I might not agree. I have to say, Anne Arundel politics has moved into the dark side as of late, from what I am hearing from the ones 'we' elected. Not that they were not there to begin with, just more open to showing their true colors.
Let's begin with Don Dwyer. he has been elected twice in Maryland to represent district 31. His sole purpose since being elected is to stop the same sex marriage bill because no gay people should be allowed the same rights as a man and a woman in marriage. He even tried to disbar a judge who took a stand on the issue who supported it. Interestingly, he is seperated from his wife.
Then we have our illustrious county council. Councilman Grasso, who represents the Glen Burnie area, called his ditrict the 'new ghetto' and and opposed low-income housing because someone who pays $380 in rent isn’t a “quality person.”
Wait, thats not all. He's a birther. And he has informed all of us that there is new evidence on the internet about a social security number...really???
Last week, during the discussions among the coucilmen to decide on who to replace Counselman Jones (the first african american to EVER be seated on the council), the vote was split. 3 votes for a qualified black candidate and 3 for a white candidate. Councilman Ladd showed his true colors and discussed his time in Vietnam and the 'gooks' he encountered. As my colleague said to me today..isn't that something your grandfather would say at a family dinner table and everyone would tell him he just can't say things like that?
We won't even discuss the GOP race. I don't want to get my blood pressure up anymore than it already is.

health

Before I launch on my topic of the day, I must remember not to say anything bad about the "hon" lady anymore. Despite her ability to follow the philosophy "There are no stupid questions, only inquisitive idiots", she came into the library yesterday 3 times for various inquisitions-info on coconut milk that can stop alzheimers, weight watcher's point value on Giant's chocolate cake..and something about a diet regime I've never heard of. In any case, while I was at lunch, she came in with a package of cinnamon twists to thank me for my kindness. Ok Ok i'll keep my commentary to a minimum...

I have been suffering with various aches and pains as of late. Of course, just as I said to myself a month ago how good I was feeling...anyway, i never ever take my health for granted. And even more so when things interfere with your daily quality of life. I am still very fortunate, despite limping my way through the day and popping antinflammatory pills. This should pass, hopefully without surgery.

I have to keep these things in perspective where my dear friend is struggling with ALS, both physically and emotionally. I give her a great deal of credit for her strength. She may have bad days, but she is working towards making everyday the best day. I recently went to a support group meeting and it was an eye opener as to how this disease takes its toll-emotionally, mentally, and physically. i was so touched to see a woman there those husband is now confined to bed go hug a woman struggling with her husband's illness and ask her what she needs and what we can give her. This is the human spirit at its best.

So, tomorrow will be better. And if not, I'll deal with it...

Wednesday morning in the library

I know I need to be more tolerable to my public as they are my bread and butter. Babies in Bloom was this morning. We had our usual large crowd..28 babies and about 18 adults. Noise level was normal and I am happy to report that our brand new carpet has been christened with a small child barfing all over it. Carpet is what,a week old? And did she take her children home? No...saw her running our the door with one of them as they threatened to leave their mark again 30 minutes later. Really..I am a mom as well. If my kid throws up in storytime, I take them home.
I didn't clean it up completely until it was over, but a women's group was anxious to get in there right after the program. I had left a rag over the mess so I knew where to clean. The speaker for the group took it upon herself to pick the rag up and toss it on the counter. Thanks. Then she asked when someone would be in from the library to set her room up. I told her that would be the group's responsibility. Really?
And now I am sitting in front of iPad user who is watching a video on his device with the sound turned up to 10. While he peruses the DVD's at the same time. Are we really that self important?
At least the "hon" lady isn't here today.

Children advantages

We are experiencing having Andrew home this semester for the first time in 2 and a half years. i had grown accustomed to not having him there. I had a spare bedroom for guests. I always had leftovers in the fridge. I never had to share the TV. Wasn't sure if I was gonna like it. And I like it. He is there with a smile on his face every day I come home from work. He is doing very well in school (full time at the local community college). He empties the dishwasher without me asking. He calls everyday and asks what to do about dinner. Today, he brought me lunch from home because I didn't have time to go home and get it.
He picks Maddie up from swim practice. He never argues. Hardly ever in a bad mood. And no issues with TV sharing. Yeah, its really nice. And it will be nice when he returns as well.
Not to take away what I love about Maddie still at home. She pitches in for baking. Fetches things. Walks the dog. Does very well at school. And even keeps her room clean most of the time. She is 14, so there there are a few storm clouds on occasion with her disposition (don't we all), but she hides in her room until the storm passes.
I am very lucky. Despite the few life speed bumps in the road we all deal with.