Keeping It Safe

What Would You Do?

A Misplacement of Vigilance
Posted January 5th, 2008 by Great Western Dragon

An interesting editorial from Atlanta talks about the policies of the Atlanta Fulton County Public Library when it comes to adults using the children's area of the library. Apparently it's against policy for an adult to be in the children's section if they're not with a child. In an age of seeming rampant pedophilia, that makes sense, at least on the face of it.

But I think a library staff member at AFCPL said it best in the article when she explained that the policy is backwards. The library shouldn't prohibit adults without kids, rather they should prohibit kids without adults.

This is a tricky one. Growing up in a small town we (my brothers and sisters and I included) were left to roam free. It was believed the most dangerous thing in a library was our own destructive force (kids are messy).

But there is a great threat to children's safety on the web and in public places. Most libraries struggle to keep running and when staff and security is cut due to budget problems, well...Should the library be responsible?

I say no. But then I have no children. I have not had to suffer the worries and strife that most parents must deal with day to day. Most households are places where two incomes are needed to support the family. Children are left wide open to all sorts of dangers...drugs, perverts, and other criminal influences. But still, even when my parents were out they took our actions (those of my own and my brother and sisters) as reflecting on them. They looked out for us and taught us right and wrong.

Is it unreasonable to forbid adults without children in the children's library? Yes, I believe so. Yet then again I have no children or interest in going into the children's section. I have everything in the adult section.

However, it is completely normal for parents to be suspicious of strangers being around there children. In fact I would worry that a parent would not show concern. In a confusing setting with children running around I can see where something horrible could happen. An over tasked librarian or clerk could tragically miss witnessing a crime or be unaware of it as it is happening. Keep in mind, as well, that librarians are not trained as security guards.

So what is the answer?

1. Parents should accompany their children in public places.
2. Parents should teach their children never to speak or trust strangers. If a child is approached by a stranger that child should run and find the nearest authority figure.
3. Library's must not ever assume legal responsibility for the welfare of children. Administrators must do their best to cover the basics.

If a child is found alone that child must be removed to a place of safety until the child's parent or guardian can be located.

So the policy should be: no children should be allowed alone in the library.

Any thoughts?

http://www.lisnews.org/