[OPLINLIST] Ah, the joys of returning students

[Ed Rossman]

Ah, the joys of returning students

An irate elderly patron dropped by the desk last
night, fairly incensed about some chattering teens on
computers; we're located about 4 blocks from Shaker
High and they probably had been a little snotty to her
own reproachful looks. 

I explained that it's a fine line librarians have to
draw, when to be nurturing and when to be ruthless.
It's like the weather. High pressure is like rigid,
ruthless enforcement of noise rules. Too much high
pressure too long, and the land becomes arid, dry,
like a desert...suppressing relationship building,
collaborative learning, creativity. Low pressure is
tolerant nurturing of their social behavior. Too much
low pressure, and the land becomes saturated, flooded,
also unable to support life, disrupting focus,
distracting attention to detail, inhibiting private
inspiration and problem solving. We need to have a
balance of both, and when high and low pressure
clashes, well, we have a thunderstorm! 

Thanks for pointing out the problem I said. She
laughed, took the point, moved towards the circ desk
with her book, and I moved towards the computers where
some guilty looking students had been watching us, and
listening.

Dealing with groups of teens is just one of the 27
chapters in my book, Castles against ignorance: How to
make libraries great educational environments. You can
look at it here: http://www.castles411.com/group.doc

Am hoping to see some of you at one of my two
presentations this month, in Columbus at the Ohio
Library Council 2007 Convention, Thursday, Oct. 11, or
in Kansas City for a full workshop based on the book,
on Oct. 23: http://www.kcmlin.org/wsfall0702.htm

Best,
Ed R.



       
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