Wowzers. What do you all think of this article from this weekend's Tribune? Straight out, children's librarians are made out to be heroes... for accommodating, babysitting, feeding, and otherwise paying what seems, to me, as very special and extra attention to children who've been "dumped" at the library for long periods of time. I can't believe that the legality and safety of these children's situation isn't addressed--by the reporter or the librarians being interviewed.
Am I over-reacting? Should we adopt a more lenient/understanding/proactive attitude about under-supervised, "in-residency" kids?
[Here's another article about children's services I also came across this weekend. Not so controversial but pretty interesting, all about libraries opening branches at malls with very focused family services.]
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While at Forest Park the same sort of thing developed. The kids were there regardless so the staff tried to develop programs to engage them. Board games, something like book buzz, candy bingo, etc. Very little reading was going on and a whole lot of socializing. I can remember that kids would sign up for summer reading to get the box of lemon drops and leave everything else laying around after the candy was eaten! I stopped by recently and Donna said it isn't as bad anymore. I sometimes wish there was some kind of way for kids to work off their fines.
I, too, wish that someone had brought up the issue of safety when it comes to unsupervised children. Nadine always used to say, "Would you leave your kids in a bus station? Well the library is just as public and potentially dangerous." I worry that parents think librarians are watching out for their kids when we don't have the staff resources or ability to do so. However, I also know in smaller library branches it is much more common to keep a closer eye on the kids because there are far fewer of them and they come so regularly you really get to know them on a first name basis. It can be a sweet relationship, which is what the Trib article is highlighting.
As for the second article, I really liked the director's comment "what we're trying to do is surprise and delight our customers." Nice motto to keep in mind.
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