NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #31/NN_1992_31.iso/spool/bit/listserv/medlibl/2400

Text File | 1992-12-28 | 1.7 KB | 35 lines

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Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!darwin.sura.net!paladin.american.edu!auvm!HLYCROSS.BITNET!LIB_STANKUS
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Date:         Mon, 28 Dec 1992 10:14:38 -0400
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Subject:      Re: Non-affiliates or "visitors" at your library
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From Tony Stankus, Science Librarian, College of the Holy Cross

While we are a private institution, and presumably have more rights
to exclude potentially "problem" users, we have taken some reasonable
intermediate steps to screen users, or at least, to put them on alert
that the library is for serious use only, not for "gawking at coeds"
(sorry about the old terminology, but that is the number one problem)
or for "acting out" (usually poorly managed schizophreniucs from the
nearby state hospital or half-way houses). These steps include the
use of a sign-in book which requires name, address, phone, and
"reason for visit". This has a surprising deterrence value. Outsiders
actually have to "think" before entering. We also ask for ID's when
any disruptive or unwelvcome behavior commences. We then compare the
ID with the sign-in logbook, and use any discrepancies as a valid
excuse to exclude a disruptive customer. We do not have many problems here
at Holy Cross, but perhaps one of the reasons is this reasonable screening
procedure.

Tony Stankus