OH PL Bars Kids Without Adults

-- Library Journal, 01/13/2006

In what appears to be escalating levels of action to find a solution to dealing with unruly kids using libraries as an after school hangout, the Wickliffe Public Library, OH, has taken an extreme step: the facility is requiring children under 14 be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult (age 18 or older). Kids turning up solo will be barred. In a letter to the community, the library said it regrets "this course of action but must protect one of Wickliffe's most valuable resources and its patrons." Though outright barring of young patrons might sound draconian, the AP quoted Richard Zalecky, Wickliffe's clerk-treasurer, as saying that some of the students have been so rude and unruly to adult patrons that "we had to escort some people out because they were afraid of the crowd." He said that as many as 100 kids have been "loitering" at a single time and that graffiti has been written on walls both inside and outside the building. The move generated mixed reaction from locals, with parent Kim Moulton telling the AP, "It is our library, not theirs. We pay for it. I understand there is a limit, but I think they may have overreacted." Her statement was countered by fellow parent Margie Kost who said, "They are very dedicated to children here. We've come here and seen the disruption…a library is not supposed to be a babysitter."