SOMERS PUBLIC LIBRARY

51 NINTH DISTRICT ROAD                                           SOMERS, CT 06071

February 2010

 An Open Letter to Parents:

 The creation of a separate teen room in the Somers Public Library expansion was exciting. We were pleased to have a specific location to house school linked Mac computers and the collection for this age group. Unfortunately, it has not worked out as anticipated. Evidently, we were naïve in expecting the room would be appreciated and respected.

The first week it opened, the teen room had vandalism on the furniture, students were walking on the end tables and general chaos prevailed. In an attempt to minimize damage to the room, the furniture, the collection, and perhaps even the students, the Library Director has had to be present in the room for several hours every afternoon. While taking her away from her actual duties, it has not eliminated the bad behavior. Furniture has been knocked over, the staff has been subjected to multiple counts of profanity, sexual innuendos and gestures, and basic rudeness. Eight computers in the room are used primarily for games instead of homework. One, in particular, is about shooting in libraries. There are seats for 22 students in the room, but many more are often present after school. Groups of students also congregate in the parking area and lobby intimidating patrons coming in – particularly older ones. Students actually wanting to study or looking for a reasonably quiet place often avoid the teen room.

The teen room is not a “hang-out,” nor a club, nor a recreation site. It is still a library and must be respected as such. Many of the after school students are only using it for disruptive social interaction.

The Library Board has adopted a policy on teen room behavior, which is available at the library and several posted signs remind students of particular points. It is consistent with normal library policy. Students ignoring the rules will be denied library privileges. If necessary, we will make the rules more stringent. Among other things, we may have to close down the computers, thus eliminating a valuable homework tool to those actually wanting to use it.

We would rather not take drastic measures, but we cannot allow the current behavior patterns to continue. When a student is expelled from the library, they are asked to leave the grounds. In the interest of safety students should ride the bus or be picked up by a parent after school.

The library staff and Board of Directors are asking for your cooperation as parents to help the library teen room function as intended. We are not responsible for monitoring your children. Do not expect the library to serve as an after school care facility. Please limit your child’s visits to the library to those times when you know they will be engaged in legitimate library activities, and reinforce the values of respectful behavior. 

Somers Public Library will be here to serve the people of Somers for many years. We cannot allow inappropriate actions of a group of students to deny others the enjoyment of our beautiful new space.

Sincerely, 

Library Board of Directors

   Shirley Warner, Chr.     Tiffany Daly       Mike Gotta     Lois Lindell     Dee Moak

                        Andrew Phillips       Robin Provencher      Bob Socha      Charlotte Stopa