A Little Stinker...

We heard the outside book drop clank, followed by a giggle. Quickly looking to see a handful of leaves and greenery shower the books already in the drop, one of the librarians rushed outside to see if she could catch the culprit. Before she passed through the lobby, she could see that the mischief maker had already been caught by his mother. His mom was telling him, "I should make you go inside and clean that up!" Our librarian agreed and the now contrite little man was picking leaves out of the bookdrop and placing them in the trash. He muttered the entire time, "You are the meanest Mom!"

Our feeling was, "Way to go, Mom!" It was nice to see her make him take responsibility for his actions. This young man is a regular patron, has attended storytime and summer reading. We all really like him and his family.

As we discussed this event later, I told the other librarian, "I'll bet when he is fifty years old, he will remember the lesson his mother taught him." Maybe it will make him a more responsible library user or maybe not.

Our wish is that all library patrons are responsible. Checkout the items that you take home, bring them back before the due date, if you can't, call and renew them or pay the fine without complaint. Keep the books in your care safe from food, water and your pets, if you damage a book, fess up and pay for the damages. Use your own library card and bring it when you come to visit. When you visit don't sleep in the couches, put graffitti on the bathroom stalls or let your children roam around unattended. Use the internet but wait your turn patiently and don't view stuff you know that we will have to tell you to stop. Pay for your copies and printouts. Treat the staff and other library users with respect. Keep your voice down and have your cell phone conversations in a quiet voice, preferably in the lobby.


That's what you need to do to be a responsible library patron, how are you doing? Oh, and one more, only put books down the bookdrop. No leaves, thank you.
By Michele, Children's Librarian