Monitor Hired to Handle
Unruly Patrons at Royal Oak
The Royal Oak (Mich.) Public Library has hired a part-time employee to monitor patron behavior and make sure the library’s rules of conduct—such as no sleeping, no eating or drinking except in designated areas, and no disturbing others through loud talking or behavior—are enforced. “We’ve hired a no-nonsense person who has already talked to several people about rules and called police once to have a person removed,” said Director Carol Windorf in the October 20 Detroit News.
The position was created after some patrons in recent years complained about the unruly behavior of a number of homeless people who spend days at the library, frequently falling asleep and monopolizing restrooms. Their sometimes strange appearance and behavior can frighten other patrons, especially young children, patron Jo Jo Klingler told reporters. “I’ll feel more comfortable knowing there is someone here looking out for my child,” she added.
Royal Oak is not the first metro Detroit library to hire a monitor, the News said; in Ann Arbor, a worker supervises closed-circuit cameras placed around the facility.
Posted October 30, 2000.
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