[OPLINLIST] Angry Patron Making Threats

[Michael Penrod]

I concur with Mark.  I would simply consult the Library's legal counsel (the 
County Prosecutor, at least here in Wood County).



> Hi everyone,
> 
> While I think this list is great for asking questions, I think this
> is one
> of those questions that we should not be asking of ourselves. 
> Indeed, we
> are all knowledgeable about a great many topics and, of course,
> being
> great librarians we know where to find answers.  Also, I know there
> is
> probably someone out there who has experienced this and would be
> happy to
> relay his or her experience. However, in this case I think it would
> be
> best to ask local law enforcement what they would have us do.  They
> are
> the professionals when it comes to this and we should go to the
> source.
> 
> I get concerned when we as librarians discuss topics among ourselves
> and
> do not necessarily consult with those outside of the library
> community who
> may be directly involved or impacted by the topic.
> 
> Just my 2 cents...
> 
> Mark
> 
> Mark Mabelitini, Director
> Tipp City Public Library
> 11 E. Main St.
> Tipp City, Ohio 45371
> (937) 667-3826 (office)
> (937) 667-7968 (fax)
> www.tippcitylibrary.org
> 
> "The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do
> not
> expect to sit." --Nelson Henderson, philanthropist
> 
> > Hello all,
> > Where is the line between keeping a patron's name confidential
> and
> > reporting (perceived) threats that were made targeting local law
> > enforcement and government employees? A patron recently came in
> asking
> > for assistance in finding legal documents (records of tickets,
> law
> > violations, etc.) His comments while a staff member was assisting
> him
> > consisted of: "Those Nazis at the courthouse wanted to charge me
> $5.00
> > a page for this! I need to clean house! I want to just pull the
> > trigger, they're harrassing me, I'll have their jobs, etc. etc."
> We
> > thought he was blowing off steam, but he was very loud and angry
> and
> > going on and on and on about wanting to get a state law
> enforcement
> > officer fired and the injustices he perceived were done to him by
> a
> > previous sheriff and county judge. Our staff member was very
> > professional and did not get lured into his banter. Is there a
> point
> > where we should contact law enforcement? Where his threats
> credible or
> > was he just blowing off steam? We would feel terrible "after the
> fact"
> > if something had happened and we had this knowledge of his
> attitude
> > and anger. We hope he isn't a powder keg getting ready to explode.
> On
> > the other hand, if I did report these threats, and he was
> unstable, he
> > could come after library employees. I'd be interested in hearing
> how
> > you would handle this issue. I will also be addressing this issue
> with
> > our library board, but wanted to get your feedback.
> > Susan Pieper
> > --
> > Susan Hill Pieper
> > Director/Editor
> > Paulding County Carnegie Library
> > Rural Library Services Newsletter
> > 205 S. Main Street
> > Paulding, OH 45879
> > 419-399-2032 (voice) 419-399-2114 (fax)
> > www.pauldingcountylibrary.org
> > susanhillpieper at gmail.com
> > ALA Councilor-At-Large (2007-2010)
> > _______________________________________________
> > OPLINLIST mailing list
> > OPLINLIST at oplin.org
> > http://mail.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplinlist
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Michael L. Penrod
Adult Services Coordinator
Wood County District Public Library
251 North Main Street
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
v: (419) 352-5104
f: (419) 354-0405
e: penrodmi at oplin.org
wcdpl.lib.oh.us