JoAnn Foster Gavey, Director of Brandon Township Public Library, knows the Library is having problems.
These problems are not financial, material or employee related’in those respects the Library is sound.
‘We have been having an after school situation which has become a major discipline problem,? Gavey said. ‘This really is a community wide problem, and the library board and I would like to see a community wide conversation take place to help solve this problem.?
The library’s issues have come in several forms, from children skateboarding over benches outside, to playing ball in the parking lot and vandalizing of the restrooms. Gavey and her staff do not blame children in general, but some of the things they are doing have become destructive and possibly life-threatening.
‘We are happy to have the children here, we love children,? she said. ‘A significant number of them are here to do their homework, and do research or read, but a smaller percent are the problem. These children want to bring their skateboards, in-line skates and food and drink into the building.
‘We ask them to take the things outside, then the kids skateboard in the parking lot and disrupt the flow of traffic. And that puts the students in danger from vehicles. The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt,? she said.
Gavey said the library has a great latchkey program and has programs in place for children after school.
‘We like the children to come and use the library, but our policy states that children under 12-years-old cannot be here unaccompanied by an adult. If they are coming to do work or to participate in a program it’s one thing, but when mobs of children come to the library and just hang out waiting to be picked up, it is disruptive to our other partrons,? Gavey said.
Gavey proposed that the community come together to find a solution for this disruption. She and her staff feel that if everyone, staff, parents, students and community members, worked together that there could be a simple solution.
‘I would like to be a catalyst in solving this problem,? Gavey said. ‘Anyone can call me with concerns or suggestions in this matter. We are looking for a real solution. I have thought of many ways, including hiring security guards to police the parking lot and building, but I feel that would just be a Band-Aid on the problem.?
To voice a suggestion, or a complaint, call JoAnn Foster Gavey, at (248) 627.1460.