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| Don't make me use size 72 font! |
This new school year has brought in a new bunch of regular patrons: newly licensed teens. They come in around 4 or 5 and end up staying til we close at 9. They study for the most part, socialize for the rest. I mean, why wouldn't they? The library has free wi-fi, plenty of seating, and it is a safe place to hang out.
There are only minor issues when it comes to them, they can get a little too loud, but they will quiet down if you talk to them. They also sneak in food. All you have to do is tell the teens to eat it outside and they will. I find it funny how upset/freaked out some of my older coworkers get, I think they've become coddled by working at this branch for so long. They've made such a big deal out of it in staff meetings and emails.
These signs are the latest product of such staff discussions. I say, if these are the worst offenses these teens commit: sneaking in french fries, then I welcome it. At least they aren't procreating in the stacks, dealing drugs in the bathroom, graffiti-ing the walls, fighting in the study room... etc.
We allow food in our library, and it's never seemed like a big deal to me. I mean, sure, we have ants every once in a while, and students actually leave plates/bowls/cups (stolen from the cafeteria) laying around. But that's why we have an Orkin guy and student employees. They take care of these things.
ReplyDeleteI don't either if they don't make a big mess, but it's a library system policy. My managers don't want to be the one outlaw branch like the McDonald's that still uses styrofoam containers for everything.
DeleteAlso, "Do you want ants because that's how you get ants!!!"
Lol! We often come across students having picnics in the stacks. There's nothing funnier than their faces when you catch them!
ReplyDeleteSome get the deer in the headlights look and stop chewing with their puffed out cheeks, but the more brazen ones sit there and lie to your face saying they didn't know while still stuffing their faces.
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