Previously, our library branch sounded like a noisy cafeteria. Among other issues, our equipment was often vandalized and fights broke out between patrons. Local educators were hesitant to schedule a field trip to library, for fear of exposing their students to dangerous environment. But with the arrival of new security staff, the safety level improved dramatically.

“I’ve never seen this place so quiet before. It actually looks like a library, and I can get some work done”, an elderly patron remarked.

“Wow, everyone in here is either on the computer or doing homework. This is amazing.” added one of our parents as teacher’s representatives.

How did this complete turn-around come about? It wasn’t easy, but the newly hired security worked with the branch manager to enforce rules that made the library a safe place. The rules were cut-and-dry and no exceptions were allowed.

But once our big safety issues were resolved, our non-problematic patrons started getting targeted over minor issues. Teens and youth who weren’t problematic started getting kicked out for violating minor issues. Sometimes these violations were in the eye of the beholder, or security enforcement. It was as if the “problem” teens has ruined it for the rest of the group. Yesterday, the final straw was drawn when three teens involved with the advisory board were asked to leave the library for the day.

As the children’s librarian, it is my job to advocate for the teens in my community, and I’ve been brainstorming some ways to create a security balance so that teens are not targeted as a problem group. How do I go about striking a balance that respects the safe place that security has established, but also protects teens that are not here to make trouble?

My plan is to work with both security and teens to accomplish this balance. I will have conversations with security about establishing constructive relationships with teens. In return, I plan to explain to teens the importance of our rules and maintaining a safe library environment. This is not a one-time conversation, but an ongoing discussion and process.

My question for you is this: If you have ever had to deal with such as situation, how did you go about working with security and staff so that teens were not kicked out for minor issues? What can we do as teen advocates to ensure our teens are not wrongly targeted as problem patrons? Any tips or stories would be greatly appreciated!