Scenarios
A high school teacher comes into the school library after school hours and tries to access pornographic websites.
It’s after school hours and I am tidying up some of the student issued Chromebooks in the back room. The cords are always a mess when the Chromebook Cow (cart on wheels) is returned for check in. I work feverishly to get the cords correctly placed in the housing. Beads of sweat are running down my back, knowing that the timer on the air conditioning has expired, the sweat is my signal that it’s time to go home. As I turn off the lights in the back rooms, I hear the library door open and part of a phone conversation in the main part of the library. I recognize the voice as being that of one of our newly hired teachers. I decide to finish tidying up until their phone conversation has ended. I notice the talking has stopped and rounded the corner to see Pat Smith sitting at a library computer, with very graphic photos on the screen. I wish I could bleach that visual out of my head. I stepped back in my office trying to consider how to handle such an event. Since I went unnoticed, I decided to handle the closing of the library like I would any other day, when something of this nature had not happened. I knew there were cameras placed specifically to watch the commons area and the computer area. Those cameras and the history on that student computer were to be my proof if needed. I do not choose to get in an argument or a struggle with any student or a colleague. With a shaky hand, I used my lab software to shut down all the computers. I gathered my things, locked my office and came out as if nothing had happened. I acted surprised to see Pat in the library. I explained that I didn’t know anyone was there and was just leaving. Pat exited quickly without saying much which made it easier for me. I promptly called my Principal to explain the situation and what I believed to have seen on the computer screen. Principal Tinsley asked me what I felt most comfortable with, either locking the library up and coming to the office or waiting for her in the library. I suggested, that I would go ahead and lock up the library and wait for her in the back room where I couldn’t be seen by others. She immediately called the Superintendent and the Police department but stayed with me in case Pat Smith returned to try to clear the history or damage the computer. Once the police listened to my statement, they removed the computer and requested video footage from the administrators. The officer walked me to my car and Principal Tinsley asked that I call her to let her know that I made it home safely.
In retrospect, I believe I handled this as quickly and as well as I could have. There was not a chance for Pat to remove the history from the computer nor was there an altercation. I am sad that I witnessed such a disgraceful act, but am thankful our students will remain distanced from this behavior.
A parent comes into your middle school library and asks that you restrict her son from checking out any graphic novels.
I am working with a patron when I see a parent come in the library. I recognize her as a parent because I have seen her in the student pick up area after school on occasion. She makes direct eye contact and heads directly toward me. I greet her with a smile and ask how I could assist her today. She began by introducing herself and telling me her son’s name. I recognize his name as one of my patrons. She proceeds with asking me to restrict him from checking out graphic novels. I smiled politely and explained that I don’t actually have the authority to restrict any information or books that are available in the library. I would ask her if she would like to set up a private meeting or simply continue to speak at this time. My goal is to better understand her concern, as I respect her views and am delighted that she notices and cares about what her son is reading. After hearing her initial request, I would give statistical information from my library and that reading graphic novels at this age, especially for boys, is a stepping stone into future reading. I would not advance any private interests or beliefs but would do my best to provide information that shows reading anything is better than not reading anything. I would likely tell her a story about my own son and how I learned that the enjoyment of reading will most likely propel youth into reading as a young adult and further into the adult years. Finally learning her true concerns, her opinion is that comic strips don’t constitute real reading. I would lead her to where the graphic novels are shelved at our middle school. I would show her how some address political situations in easy to digest bits or chunks of information. Some are satirical, as we already know from meme’s, our student’s enjoy satire. I would be careful as to not overstep my boundaries, as she is the parent and knows her son better than anyone on the campus. I would however give her examples to physically see and read where graphic novels provide entertainment, emotion and intellectual stimulation appropriate for middle school aged students. Often, these books are enjoyed by many who simply don’t have the time to invest a lengthy novel. Such a book allows a reader to read and satisfy their joy of reading even when there are time constraints.
I would hope to satisfy her concerns at this point. However, if she is adamant and still desires to restrict her son’s reading materials, I would ask that she put her concerns in writing and direct them to the principal, as I alone am unable to restrict information from a student. After she leaves the library I would promptly notify my principal of the situation so that he would not be blindsided or caught off guard. It will also allow him time to consider all angles of the issue and how he would want to proceed.
