I saw this tiny shirt lying outside a charity shop on my way to work yesterday morning. Such an optimistic message! I'm not sure I know any toddlers who are capable of positive vibes every day, though.
A fairly routine day at work. The 10th Grade boys, my nemeses, once again colonized the fiction section on their break times, sprawling all over the floor and sneaking in food. My boss was surprised to count 32 people packed into the shelves at one point during lunch -- entirely blocking access to the books for a middle school class that happened to be visiting at the same time. Some of the high-schoolers were horsing around. (My boss's word was "wrestling.") I said, "Listen, I dealt with this all last year, so you don't need to tell me."
She decided to rearrange some furniture to make that corner less hospitable and hopefully move the crowd into more open areas where there are actual tables and chairs. I'm sure the kids will complain today.
She's also talking about getting mirrors so we can see into various nooks and crannies from the circulation desk. Probably a good idea. An inevitable consequence of having shelves and bookcases is that you can't see into every corner. I am always up and walking around but I can't be everywhere all at once.
Here's my "Florida Memory" postcard for September -- a scene at Paradise Park near Ocala in 1950 or so, shot by Bruce Mozert. Paradise Park was the black counterpart to Silver Springs. I posted another image from Paradise Park back in April.
I love the look of Paradise Park.
ReplyDeleteMirrors to see into corners are a good idea.
That looks a happy relaxed park.
ReplyDeleteGood to have some backup with the library organisation..I know you coped well with it last year, but good to see that others appreciate how difficult it can be
Teenage boys. Argh! I love the Paradise Park postcard. I looked again at the previous post where you mention having no anxiety about meeting Jesus. I meet him regularly. He's a waiter at Mesón Salvador. He just turned 19. He's cute, but I don't know what all the fuss is about.
ReplyDeleteDo the children consider Mr Reed to be old grump? I don't know why when I was at school, students were quite well behaved compared to now. Yes, I am an old grump.
ReplyDeleteThe Florida photo of the four looking so happy is nice.
Whatever happened to students being terrified of librarians. You need to practice the intimidating "HUSH". I used to hide in the library as it guaranteed peace and quiet and the annoying kids wouldn't be seen dead in one.
ReplyDeleteWho sends you those vintage postcards? I am guessing that it is your brother but of course I could be wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe Tenth Grade Boys sounds like a punk band. I am glad that your new boss has already got a bit of a handle on them and understands the challenge they present. After all they are not using the library as a library but as a place where they can hang out and be spotty adolescents.
I wonder if the school can make some other location an attractive hangout spot for kids. Blocking the function of the library isn't it.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what you do those boys will find a way to circumvent it and keep, um, "wrestling."
ReplyDeleteThe photo from Paradise Park is lovely. The kids need a hangout spot other than the library--a place that's snack friendly. I don't think there's such a thing as a toddler with positive vibes for even a single day. They are so up and down.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I agree with Janie Junebug that there should be another spot where the students can hang out so that the library can still function.
ReplyDeleteWhat would have happened if people went into the other park back in the 1950s? Could someone bring a friend of a different color along into Paradise Park or Silver Springs? My family couldn't attend together because we are different colors!
I LOVE THE TINY LITTLE SHIRT! (Sorry for shouting.)
ReplyDeleteI would probably get in trouble with my boss about how I handled the boys. I would be a very cranky librarian in any situation, but with that I'd go over the top.
The first thing that struck me about this post is the neck/shoulder snaps on that little shirt. I swear to you I had a dream this morning wherein there were two adult shirts with those kinds of snaps and I was so happy to see them- I've always wondered why adult shirts can't incorporate those clever little snaps.
ReplyDeleteI think you should have cameras up everywhere in the library to keep track of and record those juvenile delinquents! Sort of kidding.
Separate but equal, right? As to Paradise Park and Silver Springs. I bet you dimes to dollars that Paradise Park got the old funky glass bottom boats, Silver Springs the new ones.
I'm glad that your boss is planning on installing cameras. Those boys do need a place to hang out, but a library is definitely not it.
ReplyDeleteLove that postcard and the tiny shirt.
Play some classical music for those guys in that area. They'll move on.
ReplyDeleteI think I've reached an age when I wouldn't have much patience for a group of teenage boys. It's a good thing I don't have to deal with that. I like that post card. At first glance it looks idyllic. Then you think about the era and it prompts a more somber feeling.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing the reason for their location is not being seen so I would guessing moving furniture would not help. Mirrors might though.
ReplyDeleteThe number of times my Mum - who worked at a school library serving one elementary and three high schools - had to send kids out because they were noisy, eating/drinking or otherwise going against the rules...! But she always managed to restore peace and quiet during the twenty or more years she worked there until her retirement. Maybe kids were more respectful than.
ReplyDeleteMy work place was our town's central library, open to the public (and not specifically for schools only). We rarely had to intervene, but if it was the case, it was usually because some clever parents parked their kids at the library and then went out for some shopping. We then had to deal with bleeding foreheads and squeezed fingers when their unsupervised playing between the shelves got rough.
I really love that your boss sees the problem. There is nothing worse than a work problem that the boss refuses to address.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that some actions are being taken. But teenage boys can be devilishly clever!
ReplyDeleteThe message on the cute little shirt might be for the parent having to deal with that toddler as much as it is for the toddler.
ReplyDeleteI suggest giving out small tasks for the boys to do each time they are loitering around in their lunch break. They will soon tire of coming in. Our school library was out of bounds except during a timetabled session and even then one needed specific permission to touch anything.
ReplyDeleteThe librarians at my old school used to always complain about the 8th grade boys congregating in the library and fooling around. Teachers would send them on passes because they were sick of dealing with them too! Not fair to the librarians though.
ReplyDeleteClever As Always There Brother Man - Dig The Old Postcards For Sure
ReplyDeleteBe Well,
Cheers
River: Aren't they a good idea? I wish I'd thought of it!
ReplyDeleteGZ: Yeah, I appreciate that the boss sees the problem too.
Mitchell: Ha! I WORSHIP Jesus.
Andrew: They think I am a huge drag, I'm sure. (They'd probably use other words.)
Caro: Our kids aren't terrified by anything. Especially the older ones.
YP: They sort of ARE a punk band, without the music! Yeah, I assume it's my brother, but he's never confessed.
Boud: The problem is a shortage of space in this building. There's just not much unallocated space for hanging out.
Bob: Are those air quotes I'm seeing? LOL
Janie: Exactly! That shirt is more like a parent's wishful thinking. Which I guess makes sense, since they buy the clothes!
Ellen D: I'm not sure. I think (as with other segregated spaces in the South) they were probably pretty strict about it.
Bug: I loved the shirt too. I always promised myself that I wouldn't be a cranky librarian but it's amazing how fast the job changes a person! LOL
Ms Moon: Security DOES have cameras in certain parts of the school but not in the library.
Robin: Not cameras! Just mirrors.
Red: THAT's a good idea!
Sharon: As I've often noted, it's ironic that I'm working with kids and yet never had kids of my own! How did this happen?!
Ed: Well, it was both. There was a lot of seating back there so they liked that too. Now it's just open floor.
Librarian: Well, I'm VERY glad that so far I haven't had to deal with any blood! I send kids out of the library only as a last resort, but it does happen sometimes.
Debby: I agree! It's always helpful when we're all on the same page.
Margaret: Fatiguingly clever, I would say. (Is that a word?)
Kelly: Definitely wishful thinking on the parent's part!
Rachel: Same with me when I was in school. We weren't allowed to hang out in the library.
Michael: Oh, that's the worst, when the library becomes a babysitting space. My pet peeve!
Padre: Almost like time-traveling, aren't they?
Boss has some good strategies! I hope they work!
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