After years of planning, organizing, and construction,
the new library opened this week. The big day was this past Tuesday. I got to go
there for a meeting for the first time with it being open on Wednesday evening,
and it is everything that we hoped it would be. I couldn't ask for it to be more
beautiful.
The movers said that they were impressed with how much had
been jammed into the previous structure, which was just about 6000 sq ft. The
new building is about four times that size.
It is amazing to think that I
have been involved in this process for almost a decade, and it is finally
done.
They are experiencing a little bit of growing pains. It is pretty
common after a new library is build. Many more people come in and use the
facilities so it can be tough because the staff is dealing with the changes of
layout and stuff while trying to meet the new demand. I am sure that it will
work out as they adjust.
The biggest challenge is that they are
struggling with the HUGE influx of teens in the library in the afternoon. I
think a big part of it is that the new library has an awesome space dedicated to
them. I am jealous, and I would love to have a similar space in my own
library!
The director is not taking the best approach to the situation
thought. She is already calling the police, and sees their presence as a problem
rather than an opportunity to serve a whole knew population! It is a little
annoying to have her complaining to me about it. I am not sure why she thinks I
would have compassion for her complaints. It would be different if she were
asking me how to improve the situation, but I am getting the feeling that she
just wants the kids gone.
For now, I will sit back and enjoy the new
building and hope they find a way to meet the interest of the teens without
driving them off.
6 comments on The New Library
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Sounds like they don't have staff to handle the patrons?
I think they are understaffed. Ray said something else that I really can't repeat here. Part of it is they are training up some new people, though.
AJ
Having more people coming to the library is certainly a good problem to have.
I agree. I was talking to the Reference aid there, and it sounds like she is talking the director into doing some positive proactive things in the area of the "problem" teens.
AJ
To think that teens would rather be at a library instead of hanging around on the streets or sitting in a McDonald's or playing at an arcade! So, although there may be a few "bad apples" to weed out over time as they present themselves, you would think that someone would take the opportunity and the initiative to meet the challenge of holding onto those teens and make the library their first choice when they're deciding what to do with their time. The library could offer them all types of encouragement and support, get them involved in fun and creative things, promote education and learning, and pave the way for more active roles in library, school, and community events. So, why risk all of this by calling in the police and possibly scaring/chasing them away? (I think there may be a more subtle way of handling any concerns about the droves of teens or certain individuals. Cripes, it's not like this library is in the middle of a city or an area known for violence or trouble.)
It is a great looking library, though. Look how nice and large it is. Who wouldn't want to visit and spend time there?
Besides the not nice words Ray had in response to the library director's reaction, he said they should just hire someone like me to take on the teen interest. You are right about it being a great opportunity!
AJ