First Responders in Libraries

Librarians are not first responders  Sounds like a perfectly truthful, logical statement.   Who would really expect for a librarian to perform medical emergency acts?  Sure,  librarians save the day with a much needed answer for a test or article book report.  The phrase “thanks!  You saved my life has been whispered to a librarian once or twice.  However, times have changed a bit thanks in part to the Opiod addiction that has made its grip felt on much of the country. Libraries in major cities such as Denver, Detroit and New York City have become out of necessity the defacto  day shelter for the homeless populations.  In that role, comes a new host of problems that have never been faced before.   How does this affect librarians?  Think first responders.  Think Narcan.

In most libraries, the day to day activities are most likely not going to include using life saving measures to help someone who is overdosing on drugs.  The typical day a the library is what most people would expect.  Story times, study partners meeting, book clubs and everything in between.  Since the Opioid crisis began, the drug problems that once seemed to be an “urban” issue now became “everywhere” issue.  Neighborhoods, rich or poor, urban or suburban were affected in some way by the Opioid crisis.   An astonishing number to reflect on is 19%.    That is the percentage of how many people died in the United. States due to overdose.  Astonishing,  isn’t it?    Public libraries began to have the difficult discussions on what to do if a patron becomes unconscious due to an overdose?  Do nothing?  Watch them die?  Try to give medical treatment?

Of course the logical course of action in any emergency in the library is to call 911.  However, in between the call and waiting for help one could feel helpless.  Just like everything else in the world today the thought of law suit comes to mind.  If you try to help and fail, will the library be liable for cause of death.  If the library personal does nothing except call 911 will liability come in again only this time for lack of action?    It’s a tough call but it at the end of the day one has to ask themselves if it's better to bet on the side of life.  Most librarians would most likely agree that it is better to save a life than watch it slip away.

Some public libraries have adopted the policy to only call 911 services in cases of emergency.  Some of the other practices put into place is security monitoring of patrons in the building and providing medical waste canisters in the bathroom to dispose of needles.  One would question why would a public library enable their patrons to "shoot up" in their restrooms.  As one librarian put it, it's not that the library is condoning the practice, it is merely recognizing that they can not stop patrons from doing this in the bathrooms.  By not providing it, needles can end up in discarded in trash, toilets or other unsanitary places where it is does more harm than good.    A better solution would be to have bathrooms monitored and security going through the stacks to discourage the opportunity to “shoot up”.  

This is topic is especially important now because yesterday, President Trump has signed into Law H.R.  6,  The Substance Use Disorder Prevention that  Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT).  This bill aims to help with the interdiction, surveillance and disruption of illegal drugs getting into the country.  One example of how this will happen is that the Postal Service will now be able to screen packages for Fentynol that are coming into the country by way of Mexico and China.   While this is good news and gives hope that that the flow of drugs into the country can be stopped, the addiction is still a serious problem. 

The answers to the Opioid problem is complex and does not seem likely that it will be solved over night.  Legal issues will continue to arise . As professional public servants,  librarians will have to be prepared for whatever cultural problems come through the library doors.  Homeless.   Latchkey children, drug addiction or whatever else awaits on the horizons.  For now, its a safe bet to say that rest of the story has not been played out yet on this topic.  

What is Patriot Week?

A few years back in my home state of Michigan, a local Judge and his daughter decided something had to be done about renewing the American Spirit.  Judge Michael Warren,  an Oakland County judge wrote a book, America's Survival Guide which detailed how the Founding Fathers envision and sustained this country for centuries.  He goes on to express how not knowing our own history, America is doomed to fail.   After reading this book,  it lead to the inspiration of putting together a list of books about American Patriotism for children and their families to share.  It was one of the most rewarding project to date because the list proved to be a tool to help others find their love and pride of our country.    For Judge Warren, this books seems to have inspired his family to create a National Week of celebrating the American Spirit now celebrated in many states as Patriot Week,  September 11 -17.

Now some librarians and perhaps even patrons may make the argument that libraries should not be places where books, displays and programs should be one sided or biased.  After all don't we look a bit silly waving our American flag, reading wonderful books about the greatness of our Country and listening to patriotic stories and presentations that point all the good there is in our country.  It would appear that we are simple country bumpkins who don't want the whole truth.  The answer to this question is no.   Here's why: America with all it's faults and flaws is still the only country in the world where Freedom still has meaning to it's citizens.  Far too often, political idealist on both sides take for granted the freedom of speech and demonstration.   Citizens are given a right to protest, yell and complain about anything as long as it does not hurt another human being or interfere with their rights.      Marching on a side walk in front of City hall with the sign that says "Our Mayor stinks and is crooked"  will not result in an arrest.  It may spark conversation and debate, and that's okay as long as the conversation and debate is civil.

These days, the art of civil conversation seems to have disappeared.  As Americans, we have lost sight of who we are, why are country came to be and even to the point of forgetting why public libraries were opened from the beginning.  Here's a reminder:   public libraries were to store knowledge so that future generations could share knowledge, ideas and to have civil discussion about events and issues of the day.   Patriot Week aims to reignite the love of country through reading and sharing ideas which pertains to Our Founding Fathers,  Inallianble rights and honoring those who have gone before us who fought for Women's and Civil Rights.   These are very good reminders of the good that has happened and give hope that the best days are yet to come.

September 11 begins Patriot Week, with the somber reminder of  the tragedy of 9/11/01.   One book title that has become a favorite,  The Man Who Walked Between The Towers by Mordical Gerstein.  When the book was first published in 2007,  there was little hope that this could ever be put to use in a story time.   The reviews of the book didn't give much hope that it would have anything to do with 9/11 and quite frankly was the tragedy of the day a good topic for story time.  Surprisingly, this story's ending provided a subtle way of talking about the towers that would not bring about fearful images for little ones.  (K-2)  After using the story a few times for family read alongs,  a surpassing thing happened.  Parents shared with others their memories of the towers, that day or where they were.  Children learned from Oral History (fancy way of saying they heard an historical account from a primary source) what America was like in 2001.

Truth be told, libraries are at the keeper of the stories.  All the stories, novels, short, fiction and non fiction alike.  Which makes it even more important to participate in celebrations such as Patriot Week at the library.  The stories of America's spirt should be kept alike and retold as often.  Patriot Week is the perfect time to take down the books of the shelves and share them with old and young at heart.  Even if your library does not participate in this week,  reading about America is a great idea just the same.  If in need of a list of books that may help spark the American spirit within yourself or library,  email thelibrarianatlarge@gmail.com to receive a copy of the list.

So... Harry Potter Turns 20 "Yawn "

The excitement  of Harry Potter's twentieth birthday is here.  It is a time to celebrate?   Hardly.   As a matter of fact it has been blissfully quiet, pleasing and satisfying not to have heard from the annoying little British, twerp of a wizard.   The publishing world feels that it must celebrate with new cover art in hopes a new generation of young readers will be caught up with this magical world.   Frankly, here's hoping that they don't.  Why?  To be brutal  and honest the story is lame, the characters are one dimensional and there are so many other books out there that better written and more entertaining.  J.K Rowling was extremely lucky to have the book published.  What can we say, some gals have all the luck.   Before the  book is thrown  or   clicking  to close the window and returning to  your happy life, could ten minutes be spared to consider these points.

First of all the argument that J.K. Rowling's books encouraged children to read "big" books is superficial.    Librarians working  with children day in and day out know that it is the quantity of pages that is read but the quality  It's is what the children get out of the books that's important.  I would be more apt to get excited about children reading War and Peace if  "thick tomes" if that is the measurement of a good reader. 

Secondly,   her choices of adverbs and grammar syntax are quite ghastly,  awfully redundant, and splendidly, and not surprisingly boring to read.  On the upside,  readers are treated to a quick read and additionally a refresher course on all words ending in -ly.   Doesn't really do much in the way of learning new words but the adverbs keep piling on. Good thing?

Third,  C.S. Lewis, who Rowlings is often compared to, was a master of painting a picture with his words and stories.  Even after the reader has put down the book, images of Narnia lingers in the mind.  It's vivid and real.  Rowlings, is simply a sketch artist at best with her style of prose.  Yeah one remembers the name of Hogwarts however, if it were not for the Harry Potter movies,  readers would not have a clue what it would look or feel like to be walking the halls.  The literary plot and devices such as invisible cloaks,  abandoned orphan and the "special mark" on the forehead have been used ad nauseam.   Please.. something new and exciting as well.  Yawn!

Last but not least,  the fact that  Rowling has yet to have another "stellar"  novel or series, should remind readers of the old saying that lightening never strikes twice.   One could argue that her adult novels did well once it was revealed that she was writing under the pen name of  Robert Galbraith.  Before the revelation, the novels were not doing well.  Did the writing change? No it was ho-hum like before.  These days everyone is into "brand names"  in everything from clothes to computers to cars.  It would stand to reason that the brand Rowling is appealing to some readers.

Lets end with something positive.   It's not entirely Rowling fault that she decided to be a writer in the age of  instant gratification.  Her writing is genius at sketching the story to allow the reader to move on quickly to the next book. The publishers are revamping, reissuing and reinventing the series for a new audience.  For small libraries, with small budget getting the new set will hardly be worth it.  The original set will have to do.  Maybe one day they might be worth something of value.  (Doubtful that this will be true)    Having said that,  there are those readers who long for the days of when writers painted a beautiful picture  simply by using words.

It is now safe to click the window shut and go on with your happy life.

Yes Forbes Communities Do Need Their Libraries

I don’t get it.  When reading articles like the one In Forbes on July 21, 2018, which suggests that Amazon replace libraries because it would be “economical”, one has to scratch their heads.  What were the editors of Forbes thinking when they printed this article?  Seriously, this makes about as much sense as privatizing the court system, the police station and fire station.  No good can come from it.  The advocates for this silly idea have clearly not thought this through.   Honestly, they have never seen a tax they liked or needed.  In a sense, one can sympathize with their lack of confidence in government taxation and spending .   At the same time, they need to admit some government spending is needed and required for societies to flourish and grow. Libraries enrich and transform communities:  large or small, rich or poor.  Before giving into the proverbial knee jerk, and agree that the need for libraries has passed, one question should be posed to the staff of Forbes magazine.  What message are we sending to children and their parents across the nation?   Is it that investing government dollars to ensure that people have access to information is a bad thing?  Or is it that reading is not important unless you can afford it?  In my humble opinion, it is a short sighted move on the part of Forbes to advocate a smaller reader base.   This could at some point hurt their profits.   Not to be an alarmist or conspiracy theorist, but  what is really frightening is that as a society, it is increasingly the norm that children are more inclined to look at a computer screen than pick up a book.  Reading levels are dropping and the reality of an illiterate society is not that farfetched.      Icons and touch screens have made it more convenient to connect with what is wanted or needed.
 As a professional librarian and library director for over twenty-five years, this argument has been made over and over again.  Each time, it falls on it’s own hallow merits.   Just one example is the research into Public and private schools have seen reading skills boost tremendously when a full staffed library is part of the school’s curriculum.  In  study conducted to determine the effectiveness of school libraries in Michigan, it was found that elementary school who had access to a school library excelled higher in reading skills compared to those who didn’t.  This was a 35% difference in reading schools.  Those numbers are hard facts that point to the solution of poor reading skills.
Additionally, public libraries have continuously been the “bridge” to aid economically challenged neighborhoods to engage in governmental programs.  According to Pew Research in 2016, 47% of African Americans who use libraries on a regular basis go to use the libraries computer and internet access.    Those who rely on the library for assistance in finding jobs or programs for family literacy and a host of other assistance truly have nowhere else to go.  Will Amazon help someone find employment?   Can Amazon provide story times for toddlers, which help language and literacy skills development? More importantly, is this a sign from our current societal state that it is preferable to “click” on a button to receive services instead of human interaction?  Amazon is great for many things, but as a library it simply does not measure up.
   Libraries contribution to society is what one can call the intangible.     It is difficult to put a price on human growth and learning.  It is my honor to be part of an institution that has been around far longer than Artificial intelligence and has always invested in HI or otherwise known as Human intelligence.

Funding for Public Libraries Is Essential

There are many ideals, organizations and causes to fight for in this great nation of ours. Thankfully we live a society that allows the average citizen to raise concerns to their government representatives.  When this fails, citizens can take their case to the “streets” in a peaceful manner to have their voices heard.   Allow this blog to serve as a peaceful protest to gain  the  citizens attention.    Voters need to be informed on how and when government money is being spent.    When tax dollars are  spent in our Nation's capital what is the top priority?      If it is education, building up communities and supporting economic growth funding than  continuing to fund libraries should be near the top of the priorities.  
  Why is it important to bring up funding for libraries at this time?  In a nutshell, The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (also known as Labor HHS) is working on the FY 2018 appropriations bill that includes funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Additionally, the  Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program is also facing similar cuts.  Discussions have been focused on eliminating financial support to both programs which amounts to having 210 million dollars cut.  Without this financial support many urban and small libraries will have to make drastic cuts in hours, services and staffing.  In some cases, they may even have to close their doors.    Funding public Libraries would be the most responsible investment in America’s future that the current administration could make, yet they are choosing not to.    Despite what President Trump and his advisors believe, cutting funds to American libraries is striking down the core of community stability and economic advancements.
            Small, rural and urban libraries (making up 80.5% of America’s libraries) depend on LSTA funding to keep their doors open.  What it means for the citizens and patrons of the library is not only access to information in print or electronic, but also programs for lifelong learners of all age.  This includes the little ones preparing to enter preschool to senior citizens.   Libraries are the heart of every community where folks,  in good times and bad, find the one sources where information is available to everyone.  .  When looking for a job to help put food on the table to discovering what to make for dinner from a new cookbook that has just been released.  Allow me to illustrate what cuts in the LSTA  would  mean for a community similar to the one I serve just outside of Detroit.
            Cuts would mean that hours of operations would be jeopardized. This is not a threat it’s a reality.  To bring things closer to home, at one point our library was open five days, 39 hours a week.  Today,  we are at 3 days,  21 hours a week. Patrons have remote access to the library on days that are closed, but only if they have a computer at home.  Most do not.  That’s one’ of the major reasons they come to the library.  In 2011, when Detroit was experiencing the worst of economic times, due to property taxes falling, the Detroit Public Library had to close four branches.  These branches were in areas that had businesses closing, houses abandoned, and a failure in many other city services.  In short,  the surrounding community failed and thus so did the libraries.  One would think that when communities come back from hard economic times, so will their neighborhood libraries.  That’s not always the case as is proven in the Detroit Public Libraries and surrounding urban areas such as Royal Oak Township.  In areas where libraries need financial support the most government funding is often the only hope for a library.
            Resources, such as computers, books and DVDs, would also be in jeopardy.  The library has become the place where the return on investment can be seen each time patrons check out materials.   Going hand in hand with that are the computers needed for internet access allowing patrons to apply for jobs, government assistance even communicating with the local school districts about their child education The Internet has made the library a much needed resources to those who are not able to afford the luxury at home. In a sports analogy, libraries level  the field when it comes to  information access for all.
            Programs, such as the Summer Reading Programs which is just around the corner, will no longer be funded or available for children to attend.  The effects of this would be a slide downwards in reading skills across the board.  The library’s summer reading programs offer children the opportunity to keep their reading skills current during the summer which prepares them for the coming school year.  Studies have shown that children living in poor neighborhoods are less likely to have access to children books in the home.  If breaking the poverty cycle is a goal of government then keeping libraries funded and open is a good first step in that direction.
More importantly than all of the reasons just mentioned,  the library offers a safe place for kids after school.  Many of the children I serve are living in homes were both parents are working two or three jobs.  They come to the library to do homework, catch up with friends or find the right spot for them to unwind with a game or book after school.  Currently, our library closes at six and closed on weekends.  This leaves our patrons looking to use library resources in other communities.  Which can be a hassle in some cases due to lack of library privileges or as in most cases, transportation.  If the Trump administration is looking to strengthen Detroit and other metropolitan cities, it would benefit them to continue funding LSTA.  By this action alone they will be supporting one of the few institutions that support the communities’ lifelong educational needs.  If President Trump refuses to do this, then it is up to our Representatives and Senators to speak up and defend America’s greatest treasure.  The public library.

Rest In Peace, Deane

It was more than likely a typical Saturday in the library.  Just like for any public library in America.  Patrons coming in though out the day to attend programs, check out a book or a movie, or even just to stay a few hours to study for exams.   Then out of the blue and a blink of an eye,  it's not a typical Saturday anymore.  Tragedies  can happen at any moment and anywhere. Even in public libraries.  After all, libraries are public buildings which are accessible to all.    On February 24, a mentally ill young man carrying a 10 inch hunting knife brutally stabbed to death Deane Kenny Stryker while she was studying in the Winchester Public Library. One patron tried to stop the man, but unfortunately became injured in the struggle.  Jeffery Yao, who was known to have been under doctor's care for mental illness, was apprehended for the murder.  This was a senseless act of violence.  Our condolences go first to the family of Deane Stryker.  Secondly to the community that the Winchester Public Library serves.  I'm sure this is a great loss, Deanne had a promising life ahead of her and it was shortened for reasons that will never be easy to understand or explain.

The story of Winchester Public Library seems to have fallen below the radar of many news service.  Mainly because  of the shooting in a Florida high School has taken over the news cycle.  It seems that every news outlet  is focused on Gun Control, shootings in high schools and keeping children safe.  Which are all good discussions to have but something just doesn't add up quire right.   Why has Deane's senseless murder  not been spread widely?  Could it be that this wasn't a crime involving a  gun? Or that  this wasn't  a story about police brutality or innocent high school children traumatized by a tragedy?    In other words, not flashy enough for the 11 o'clock news hour.  Nothing to see here folks.  Move along to something more interesting.  We as a society  are missing the big picture.

To put it bluntly the big picture is that these crimes will continue to happen over and over if we don't see the root cause of these violent outburst.  This incident should be of interest to everyone because of the fact that this was a crime points out that anything, gun, knife, rock,  and even bare hands can be used as weapons of destruction.   This  senseless murder  is a glaring reminder that all public places are vulnerable to fatal incidents. For the sake of Deane and her family, this story should be shared.  Why?  Deana is just like any other patron who walks into a library on a Saturday.  It was a place where she felt safe.  Quite frankly, if you ask any patrons who walk into their public library "do you feel safe here?",  an educated guess would be that almost 100% would say that they do.  A library is not the typical place where one would expect  a crime to be committed.  Having said that, Library director's in every part of the country should be more concerned now with "safety" than ever.

What to do in the wake of this horrible crime?   After the  high school shootings everyone has talked about arming teachers.  Some have suggested banning guns all together.  In libraries who would we turn to keep the patrons safe?  Should library staff be armed? Should library staff be trained in how to disarm a suspect?   Paid security officers?  It wouldn't be a surprise to hear most librarians say they didn't sign up for "law enforcement" when they studied library science.   While that is true, we have to be honest with ourselves. The reality is that  we are living in times that are quite different from a generation ago.  The solutions are not  easy but each library director, Board of Trustees and their community should investigate and candidly discuss what would work for them.

One tactic the has failed miserably is to claim  a public place  a Gun-Free zone.  It's a passive way to enforce safety that rarely stops a gunman from hurting others.  As we have seen in Stryker's case,  the gun-free zone would have made no difference.  The weapon of choice was a knife.  The common connection in  Parkland Florida and Winchester Public Library is the  both suspects were mentally ill.  Both had had series of documented "episodes" which called into question whether they were prone to violent behavior.  Perhaps the conversation on safety should begin with including  Mental Illness as a topic of discussion.

Public Safety in the library is too complex to solve in just one blog post.  Having said that,  it is way past time to have the honest  and open discussion of safety in the public library.  Leaders in every area of the community should be coming together to discuss how to keep the public safe in all public areas.  The library community in particular, owes this much to the patrons like Deanne who come to study, to find quiet place and to feel safe among our book shelves.

Rest In peace Deane.

In Search Of The Not so mushy, gushy, Valentine's Day

If it's corny, mushy than it's made for Saint Valentine's Day, right?    It's all about the cute little cupids,  the frilly hearts that say I luv you and every nauseating thing that comes to mind.   Today is not the day to quibble over little things such as defining love or was there really a Saint Valentine?  Nope, the is not the purpose of this day.   The whole idea of this holiday is to receive or send a note as  an expression of one's love for another.  Is it true love?  Is it the eternal love that never ends?  Sometimes, but it doesn't have to be.  Besides, those notes of undying love are tales for another time and other books.  

This holiday can be fun for the young not so serious or ready for lovey, mushy stuff. it can be a holiday that is the exact opposite of serious love.  What would that be?  The funny, punny silly kind of love.  The type that two friends share and giggle over the same jokes because they see eye to eye on everything.  Well, almost everything.    There will always be a time and place for the serious love books like Guess How Much I Love You that reassures little ones of the unconditional love of a parent.   Make room for the silly titles that will make everyone smile brighter.

The perfect, silly, and wonderful anti-Valentine's book   A Crankenstein Valentine by  Samantha Berger and illustrated by Dan Santat is highly recommended for children of all ages.    This book is cute, without being nauseating.  The tale is about Crankenstein who says YECH to everything from roses to the Valentine's Day Play, which no one asked if he wanted to be in it.  If he had his choice, the play would  go on but without HIM!   The only thing that could possibly make this day "okay" is finding  a friend who feels the exact same way that he does about this nauseating, PU holiday.  Just for added clarification,  add an EWWWWW to that and it would complete how utterly awful this day is to Crankenstein.  Fortunately for him  the next Valentine's day  is only 364 days away.

The author illustrated match up here is perfect.  It should be a sure hit with cranky little cupids who hate February 14th.  This tale leads perfectly to writing creative little anti-Valentine's that are not too mean but let's off a bit of steam.  Make heart shape valentines with construction paper color of one's choice, even black if that is so desired.  Then  pen a little poem like ...

Rose are Red,
this is true
But Violets are a hue
of purple not blue
This may  sound unkind,
me thinks you are color blind

Roses Are Red,
My socks are blue
they really are stinky
would you like to smell them too?

The possibilities are endless and the funny bone should be tickled at least once or twice during while creating the perfect "letting off steam" Valentine.   There are other titles that can make the anti-Valentine's day special such as  The Man who Stretched Valentine's Day by Watler Hoffman or This Is Not A Valentine by Carter Higgins.  Perhaps, going old school is the best place to start.  This may be the very first children's valentine book (at least it was my first as a kid)  Charles Schulz classic It's Valentine's Day Charlie Brown.   Although it has a happy ending,  everyone can relate to hoping for that one Valentine's day card from that special person.   It just may be that Crankenstein was looking for that perfect Valentine from the one who understood him best! Lucky for him, he got a cranky Valentine too!  Here's hoping that a cranky valentine finds a way into your holiday and brightens the day!