Library News, by David W. Keeber
Red Rock News
Date: January 18, 2008
In most columns, I get to brag about the Library – the services, our volunteers, an upcoming program. This week, sadly, I have to put on my “parent” hat as I announce a change regarding some of our youth attendees. If you are yourself the parent of a young person who is regularly using the Sedona Public Library after school, this column is directed specifically towards you.
It is with considerable regret and frustration that I inform you of a change of practice at Sedona Public Library. Over many months, the Library has dealt with young children who come here after school, but do not use it in an appropriate manner. They have spent their time outside the building, clearly not using the resources for which the Library was intended. Rather, they are hanging out and getting into trouble. Repeated discussions with those students creating the disturbances, as well as clear warnings have not yielded any changes in behavior. On Friday, January 11th, the front porch was thoroughly trashed with tree limbs, sticks, and garbage. Four branches on a recently planted apple tree were also damaged.
As a result, any student who is not using the Library for its intended purpose, any student who is using the Library as a hangout location will be told that they must leave the property. That means all the way down to the end of White Bear Road and Dry Creek Road.
Acceptable uses of the Library are reading, doing homework, using the computers, and attending programs when offered. Using the Library as a hangout is not an acceptable use. Please be informed that your child will be asked to leave the Library property and what once was considered a safe place to leave them after school will no longer be available.
Young people who use the Library in an appropriate manner will always be welcome. If your child is using the Library as it should be used, they should feel no compunctions about coming here and continuing those habits.
This is not a short term change, but intended as our procedure from here forward. Sadly, the Library does not have sufficient money to provide the young users of the Library with a regular program of after school activities, so their use of the facility will be limited to those activities noted above.
I am sorry that the actions of a dozen or so young people warrant this change, but repeated warnings have failed to produce a result. As Director, I ask that you speak with your child and instruct them as to the proper use of this resource. Better yet, please come to the Library with your child and model appropriate behavior, coupled with the lesson of consequences when that behavior does not meet acceptable standards.
Please feel free to discuss this with me should you see the need. Thank you.
On another more positive note, my previous column covered the upcoming events surrounding the Sedona Public Library’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations. As noted, we will be presenting weekly author presentations throughout the year. To keep you informed, you will find information on the Library’s website under the link to Events Calendar. In addition, I will be running a box at the end of each week’s column noting the presentation slated for the coming week. Be sure to check that box, mark your calendar and attend the events we will be offering.
Weekly Author Series
Fridays – 90 Minutes
February 1st
6:00 PM
Nancy Turner
The Star Garden
Historical Fiction
This column is also presented on: Gateway to Sedona and Sedona Biz
