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.
Collection Policy
Wonder ISd
Library Guidelines & best practices
