DCPL Tightens Rules on Bags, Sleeping; Seen Aimed at Homeless
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 1/2/2009
- No-sleeping rule will be enforced
- Two-bag limit set
- X-ray machine at Central Library will be removed
In what District of Columbia Public Library Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper calls an effort to make DCPL more secure and welcoming, the library has proposed banning sleeping in its facilities and a limit of two bags per person. Homeless advocates and readers immediately saw the move as targeted toward homeless people, who, in the absence of drop-in centers, spend much of their time in the library.
"Everyone is still welcome," Cooper told the Washington Post, noting that visitors to the Central Library will no longer have to put their belongings through an onerous X-ray machine.
Mary Ann Luby, an advocate for the homeless, told the Post that the new rules "are going to be hard on people" and noted that a previous rule against sleeping had not been enforced. The new rules, which would go into effect February 1, would temporarily ban repeat violators.
Reaction
In comments on the newspaper’s web site, one visitor wondered if the rule would be enforced equitably, including “seniors who fall asleep over the newspaper” and “tired college students writing research papers.”
A self-described librarian at another large urban library system responded, noting that there are good reasons for applying such rules across the board: “First, it is very hard to tell if someone is just sleeping, or is passed out due to drug or alcohol consumption, or a medical problem such as a diabetic coma. Unfortunately, we have had to deal with all of the above, and worse, have actually had at least one death on the premises from a drug overdose. Secondly, people who are sleeping are unable to keep track of their belongings which are thus more at risk for being stolen.”
The librarian added, “We also have rules about the size of bags and other items being brought into the library in order to keep aisles clear for the safety and access of all.”
“I want to remind any of you who are unsure of this new rule that life in SOME DC libraries had gotten completely out of control,” one commenter wrote.
Post columnist Marc Fisher seconded that sentiment, writing, “Among all the troubles that plague Washington's libraries, the #1 reason many people steer clear of the places is that they have been permitted to become de facto day centers for the homeless.”
He cited a report by the Friends of the West End branch, which observed, "The homeless population's use of the library is a deterrent to greater use by other patrons." The Washington City Paper last month quoted the manager of the West End branch as saying that homeless people were, in fact, using the library to read, not "just lounging around," though the reporter did spot at least one person sleeping.
