This is a message from CTLS-L. Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the entire list. ---------------------------------------------------------
Marji, I really like your comments on a sleeper waking up in an altered state and possibly being a danger to himself or others. I've actually saw this in action at home recently when my daughter dropped something near her sleeping dad, and he injured himself when he was startled awake and caught his leg in the recliner's foot rest. In the case of library sleepers, it could become a critical situation if they had drugs or alcohol in their system and suffered even a minute or two of disorientation upon awaking suddenly. We do have a nuisance policy, but our city attorney tells me that it would be iffy to cover sleepers under it. However, she might see an acceptable behavior policy as a suitable solution. I think would be a very good idea. Thanks for sharing it with us! Deanna Frazee Director of Library Services 205 E. Church Ave. Killeen, TX 76541 (254) 501-8995 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, June 14, 2002 11:09 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: kcs: Sleeping in the library This is a message from CTLS-L. Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the entire list. --------------------------------------------------------- We have standards of acceptable behavior set out in a policy for those who may not realize that not everyone on the planet has to put up with their personal stench, foul mouth, drunkeness, out-of-control kids, etc. When a patron's behavior is disruptive to others (staff included), staff has the right to ask that patron to alter that behavior and if the patron does not wish to comply, the staff has the right to ask the patron to leave. Where unacceptable behavior is concerned, we take a "Spock" attitude: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few". Sleeping people can present a safety issue in that they may fall out of the chair, swallow their gum and choke, or wake up suddenly in an altered state and may be dangerous to someone in their immediate vacinity. Our policy does not specifically ban sleeping. It requires that a patron be reading,using library materials or using library equipment and it is very difficult to do these things while asleep. I think it's a good idea to have a policy that covers what type of behavior is acceptable in your library. It's much easier to define what is acceptable than to try to define what is unacceptable. Marji Deanna �Frazee <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >This is a message from CTLS-L. >Selecting "Reply" will send a message to the entire list. >--------------------------------------------------------- > >The downtown library in Killeen is experiencing some problems with people >sleeping in our comfy reading chairs. �Next time I order reading chairs, >I'll have to get something much less comfortable. �In the meantime, I would >like to know how other libraries in Central Texas handle sleepers. > >We frequently wake our sleepers up, but some are now challenging our right >to do this. �It turns out that our city does not have any ordinances or >policies banning sleeping on public property of any type, so our attorneys >have asked that I find out how other libraries are handling such problems. >In particular, we would like to know if you have an ordinance or policy >addressing the issue of sleeping in the library. �Even if you don't, we'd >still like to know how you are handling sleepers. > >Thank you in advance for your help! > >Deanna > >Deanna Frazee >Director of Library Services >205 E. Church Ave. >Killeen, TX �76541 >(254) 501-8995 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > >--------------------------------------------- >To unsubscribe, send to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Include in body: unsubscribe ctls-l > >For information on CTLS-L please visit: >http://www.ctls.net/document/ctls-l.htm > -- Marji Smith, Director Jonestown Community Library 18649 FM 1431, Suite 10A Jonestown, Texas 78645 512-267-7511 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________________________ Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/ --------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Include in body: unsubscribe ctls-l For information on CTLS-L please visit: http://www.ctls.net/document/ctls-l.htm --------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, send to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Include in body: unsubscribe ctls-l For information on CTLS-L please visit: http://www.ctls.net/document/ctls-l.htm
