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Mark_Ockerbloom's Blog

by Mark_Ockerbloom from Dedham

Last Post 1 day, 2 hours Ago


Should you need an ID to enter a public library? I say yes. Recently, a teacher was beaten and mugged right in front of his students inside the Boston Public Library. Police say a homeless man, known to them, attacked the Boston English teacher from behind with a book.  He hit him in the head. This was reportedly the 13th incident at the library! How many more will it take to make some changes? Sure, you could add more security, but that doesn't happen without some money from somewhere. Why not just have people sign up for a library card or ID allowing them entrance into the library and the privilege of taking out books? It won't cost anything but it will give police and library personnel a record of who's coming and going at all times and that would come in extremely handy should another attack take place. This could also help safeguard against sexual predators like the one who allegedly assaulted a six-year-old boy at the New Bedford public library.

In my opinion, if you're there to use the library properly, what's the big deal? But if you're not, you get caught!

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Member Comments Total Comments: 10
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fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jun 16, 2008 | 10:25 PM

Ock, I am having a hard time with what you are saying (or trying to). I get the general jest is to have people sign in to use the Library. The man that attack the teacher you said is known to the police. He shouldn't be allowed in any more. You do need a card to take out books as far as I know. I have a card. As far as to show it upon entry you think that really would help. If people want to do bad things, unfortunately they will find a way. The key word in your blog is Public. That word means everyone. I think?

sirB read my blog
Jun 16, 2008 | 10:45 PM

Mark,

I agree with you completely!

I have been to public library's in a few towns/citys where I find not only homeless people, but rude, obnoxious kids/gangsters acting up very loudly and the librarians are too scared to say something. I spoke up on more than one occasion, sometimes it worked other times I got into a stand-off. Security? Absolutely!!

JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Jun 16, 2008 | 10:49 PM

Mark,

Seldom is the common sense solution the one first used. It'll take a few more incidents before they do anything about it that makes sense.

thezak
Jun 17, 2008 | 1:57 AM

BPLers are too much on the defense so routinely that it turns and can appear as provocative and baiting, or actually be so.

A guide to problematical library use needs to be developed that responds to the major and minor difficulties that inevitably happen for BPLusers.

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Consider greeting everyone or as many people as possible around the buildings.

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Develop a greater variety of mechanisms for BPLusers to submit feedback, suggestions and questions, for example evaluation forms about your experience at the lib or about your Reference Desk transaction at the lib.

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Provide the lib's custodial services with better equipment, tools, materials that are fragrance free nontoxic to people's respiratory systems.

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Maintain sanitary lavatories more frequently and respond immediately to reports for cleanup that occur. Using the lavatories is discouraging, even intimidating.

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Develop a public forum at the lib's website http://bpl.org that users might discuss their experiences at the lib and offer their own hints, tips and pointers along with library professionals' responses.

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In the lib's buildings make available public bulletin boards that are more convenient, rather than the displaced bulletin board off on a far away inconvenient wall.

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Put floor by floor building directories at the entrance and on the lib's website http://bpl.org listing the floor, the departments on the floor and the titles of the department head, curators titles or their names as they would like.

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Offer BPLers opportunities to list their curatorial collections, areas of exper

Chip read my blog view my photos
Jun 17, 2008 | 5:31 AM

fenwaydav's comments are spot on. A library card and common sense by library staff are sufficient. Let's not make it difficult for our kids to read.....

legendkiller34 read my blog
Jun 17, 2008 | 8:08 AM

Mark,
I'm going to have to disagree, and I really feel that instead of an ID, what we need to do
is stop passifing,these criminals,perverts,and whatever.
What we need to do is put our feet down and stand up for ourselves,instead of just bowing down.
This is getting to be a joke, next thing will be an ID to get onto the beach.
The "fearless leaders" we have put in office need to start working for us,instead of doing what's best for themselves.

STAKE
Jun 17, 2008 | 8:59 AM

We should check ID's more routinely like the banks,post office and liquor stores do.After all,we are at war and everyone should be on their guard anyway.Criminal history should be a red flag when showing identification for admission to these places.That is why criminals choose these so-called public areas to committ their crimes.This easy access has to stop!

fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jun 17, 2008 | 8:59 AM

thezak, The list you lay out was somewhat reasonable to I got to fragrance free environment and clean toilets. When you think of homeless people a little fragrance may help. I don't want to be turned away because I smell like the soap I may have just showered with. Speaking of which, I have seen many a person, (including the occasional business man) washing and brushing their teeth in public bathrooms. And again I don't quite get how a fragrance free person and clean toilet will cut down on crime. A men or women can bop you on the head with or without $100 perfume.

Xantun read my blog view my photos
Jun 17, 2008 | 10:04 PM

Ock, not that they're going to do anything other than just blow hot air yet, but I think requiring a library card to enter is a good idea.

Another thing that needs to be considered for libraries is requiring library cards to access wireless internet services at all libraries state-wide. Some libraries DO require you to have a card to access wired internet, but not wi-fi.

srtoomey read my blog view my photos
Jun 18, 2008 | 5:29 PM

I love to read however I seldom go to a library.. unless my internet is down and I need to check my email.

On this subject, I dont think its right to show ID. There is a reason its called a PUBLIC LIBRARY. What are we going to do have a VIP Library? Libraries are quiet places and you'll hear if some is getting attacked. Thats when you put the library in a lockdown (like a bank does) when the perp leaves call the athourites right away to get fingerprints. Im sure there are cops in the vicinity.

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Mark_Ockerbloom

I anchor the Fox 25 News at 5, 10 & 11pm and want to hear from you. Feel free to drop me a line anytime.

Member Since: 10/17/2006