<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello, Oplinland! We’ve had a modest controversy opened up by a patron who tried to engage one of our circ desk staff in a political discussion. She didn’t want to participate, but instead of saying so, told him she wasn’t allowed to discuss such things. Next thing I knew, I was getting e-mail from the patron, accusing me of tyranny. My response to him (briefly, quoting our policy: “Library staff may discuss political or religious subjects, issues and concerns among themselves, but active promotion of political or religious positions, activities or organizations to other staff or the general public is prohibited. Any employee who feels that he or she has been the target of unwanted proselytization should discuss this concern with his or her immediate supervisor, Department Head or the Library Director.”) did not mollify him. He sent a broadcast e-mail to our local newspaper, city officials, county prosecutor and commissioners, et. al., decrying my tyranny (yes, he used the word “tyranny”).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>How do you all handle situations like this? How do your written policies address the issue? Does anyone NOT have a policy restricting staff speech during working hours? Care to share how that works?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks in advance,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John Chidester, Tyrant<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Public Library of Mount Vernon & Knox County<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>