While it’s important to handle large, disruptive groups with a level of grace, there is no harm in acknowledging that many of these people performing First Amendment Audits are doing so in ways that are meant to be disruptive and pushing the boundaries of library policies – policies that are often ignored to begin with.

It’s important that libraries have all of their policies in place and that staff are aware of their policies, especially in regard to filming, but library staff aren’t obligated to pretend that the First Amendment Audits are not politically motivated by specific populations with specific values.

I will also add that while many of the replies in the thread have shown that not all of the incidents have escalated, it’s still a possibility when those performing these audits don’t abide by the specific library’s policies. And, once patron behavior has exceeded the bounds described in an ideal patron behavior policy, then staff should be within their right to take measures such as verbal warnings or asking the problem patrons to leave the premises.

And just because we are public libraries doesn’t mean that our libraries have to withstand large-scale disruptions by members of the public. Every public place has rules of conduct, I don’t think the issue is that staff are misunderstanding the word public, it’s that staff didn’t expect “handle aggressive patrons with video cameras” to fall under “Other Duties as Assigned” in their job descriptions.

I commend all of our frontline staff, especially non-professional staff, who are the first point of contact for many of the interactions, and I hope everybody remembers that they are always people first, and no matter what happens, they are deserving of respect, inside and outside of their workplace.


Miranda Cauchi (they/them)
Adult Librarian
Wayne Public Library
3737 S. Wayne Rd, Wayne, MI 48184
mcauchi@wayne.lib.mi.us
734-721-7832 (ext. 705)
From: "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org>
To: "Betty Adams" <badams@inksterlibrary.org>, "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 1:25:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] First Amendment Audit

Well said, Betty. Thank you for your reasoned words.

 

The amount of name calling, belly aching, and misunderstanding of “public” in public library on this post is outrageous for our profession.

 

Phillip Kwik

 

/var/folders/c4/pn04drv965q2qlqx52sjgnvdhktm0j/T/com.microsoft.Outlook/WebArchiveCopyPasteTempFiles/cidimage001.png@01D4C2D2.9B24D4F0

Phillip Kwik | Assistant Director, Library

510 W Big Beaver

Troy, Michigan 48084

248.619.7577

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From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Betty Adams via Michlib-l
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 1:10 PM
To: Turbok, Joseph <jturbok@sccl.lib.mi.us>
Cc: michlib-l@mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] First Amendment Audit

 

CAUTION: This email did not originate from within the City of Troy. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

 

Thoughts you can choose to digest or ignore: 

 

Being a public institution, consent is not needed to be filmed. Being a public servant, consent is not needed to be filmed while serving the public. Being a public servant, these audits should be taken seriously, as they are (at the core) being done by concerned patrons. If you are part of a consortium, they may be your patrons even if they are not from your city or generally considered community, as you are part of a collective. These should not be something to be feared, nor fought. The money we use is paid by taxes of citizens, and it is their right to inquire about policies, how the library is governed, the collection, and if the staff is aware of the rights of citizens in their libraries. Use this as an opportunity to listen to those who (it appears) you may have a difference of opinion from, rather than an attack on the library or you/your staff. Yes, these citizens sometimes try to "catch" you being scared or intimidated, or ignorant to their rights, because when these first started years ago, many facilities were. Get ahead of the auditors and take time to understand their purpose, review if your collection needs around constitutional/governmental materials and train staff on the rights of patrons/citizens in a public space. Heck, you could even have a program on citizen rights in public and private spaces and can show the auditors that you are aware of their concerns and are addressing them. 

 

I personally would interact with an auditor, to know how the library is perceived by those who have concerns over their rights in a time when rights are being reduced by governing bodies. Why not request to sit and have a conversation with them rather than shy away? They want to be heard, same as everyone else with concerns, so, why not listen? By being negative toward them (even if it's only in internal emails), you are being negative toward an entire demographic that your library may be excluding (or ridiculing), based on perception alone, which is counterintuitive to an institution that wishes to have full community support and usage. 

 

Now, I would like to say, nothing is ever absolute, and those who had a negative experience with a hostile audit, is not the norm (as showcased in this thread and across the internet). Do not assume your auditor will be hostile, just as you wouldn't assume the intention of any other patron entering your facility. 

 

Just some thoughts from someone who's watched MANY audit videos, from across the country, and someone who can recognize that they have a right to do what they do. (If being filmed is an issue for you, as it is with me, politely request not to have your face included. Use honey, not vinegar.) 

 

Public school audits is a great question, personally, I haven't seen any done. 

 

Betty 

 

On Fri, Jan 14, 2022 at 10:05 AM Turbok, Joseph via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:

I am not that familiar with Youtube flagging but can these videos possibly be flagged by the people within them for either harassment or lack of consent to be filmed?  

 

From: Michlib-l [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of Christopher Nadeau via Michlib-l
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2022 9:02 AM
To: Bill Wines; Sherry Martin
Cc: SF Director Account; michlib-l
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] First Amendment Audit

 

EMAIL ORIGIN EXTERNAL: Use proper judgment and caution when opening attachments, clicking links, or responding to this email.

Matt,

 

They request that book because if library staff tries to argue with them or kick them out, the “auditor” can point out that we are ignorant of the Constitution yet have the book on our shelves. Having suffered through some of the YouTube messages, they seem to take a special delight in mentioning this. Also, they audit us done under the guise of “educating” us about individuals rights.

 

 

 

From: Bill Wines <bwines@commercelibrary.info>
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2022 11:51 AM
To: Sherry Martin <MartinS@gpschools.org>
Cc: SF Director Account <frudir@llcoop.org>; michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] First Amendment Audit

 

"Members only" videos and a PayPal link.  I wonder how much this jamoke makes from this scam?

 

On Wed, Jan 12, 2022 at 9:54 AM Sherry Martin via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:

I Googled  "FRICN MEDIA" (I'm assuming this stands for Freaking Media) and found their YouTube channel. This isn't a professional organization. It's a couple of Michigan citizens checking up on various government agencies.

 

 

On their About tab:

DescriptionWarning. Im controversial politically, religiously, and I'm also an Auditor. So if you're offended easily or closed minded. This is not the channel for you. Just a heads up. email vividimagetats420@gmail.com paypal.me/jswoodworks Cash app $FRICNMEDIA

 

The world we live in!

 

Sherry Martin

 

On Wed, Jan 12, 2022 at 9:40 AM SF Director Account via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:

Good morning, 

 

I have never heard of this. Why is the U.S. Constitution for Dummies a book they would ask about? Is there a process or procedure for how libraries should act or react to this group? You mention being respectful but anything else?  

 

Any assistance in this for me to inform my staff would very helpful.

 

Matt Lubbers-Moore

 

From: "Perri Saunders via Michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org>
To: "michlib-l" <michlib-l@mcls.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2022 1:28:09 PM
Subject: [Michlib-l] First Amendment Audit

 

Just had our first First Amendment Audit.  It went very well, actually.

 

I spotted them before they came in so we could gather ourselves for a minute - make sure no patron names were on screens, and the reserve shelf had no names showing, etc.

Two people (man and woman) came in with cameras.  I welcomed them from the circ desk as I would anyone else (maybe a little more enthusiastically).  The man asked if we had the U.S. Constitution for Dummies and we talked about that a little.

 

I offered to show them around, but they just wanted to walk around and film.  We only had one patron in here at the time, so when the man started that way, I just told him that he was welcome to film anywhere in the public areas as long as he didn't interfere with other patrons' enjoyment of the library.

 

We were respectful and, in turn, they were respectful, so it went just fine.  They were here for about 15 minutes.  I won't lie - it felt like longer.

 

I know that this man, FRICN MEDIA, has lots of 1st Amendment Audit videos on YouTube,  many of which turned confrontational.  We were welcoming, forthcoming, and really boring.  Score!

 

Like Kate Andrade said, "It's not if, it's when".  We might as well be prepared.  

 

Have a great day!

Perri


--

Perri Saunders, Director

White Pigeon Township Library

102 N. Kalamazoo St., P.O. Box 399

White Pigeon, MI 49099

269-483-7409

 

Brighten the corner where you are.


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--

Matt Lubbers-Moore, Director
Fruitport District Library
(231) 366-6107
www.fruitportdistrictlibrary.org

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--

Sherry Martin, MLIS

Media Specialist at Brownell and Pierce Middle Schools

 

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Grosse Pointe Public School System  

www.gpschools.org

Phone: 313-432-4117

Email: martins@gpschools.org

 

Our Mission: Cultivate Educational Excellence By:

·         Empowering Students

·         Valuing Diversity

·         Inspiring Curiosity

·         Pushing Possibilities

Our Vision: One inclusive community learning together

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--

Bill Wines

Circulation & Technical Services Manager

Commerce Township Community Library

180 E. Commerce Rd.
Commerce Twp., MI 48382
Ph. 248.669.8108 ext.102

Fax 248.325.5047

 

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--

 

-Betty Adams

 

Library Director

Leanna Hicks Public Library of Inkster, MI 

 

Adult Services Committee Chair

The Library Network

 

Main Coordinator 

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Detroit

 

Leanna Hicks Public Library or Inkster

2500 Hamlin Drive

Inkster, MI 48141

(313) 563-2822

inkster.lib.mi.us 

Your place to learn, huddle, play, and lead. 

 

 


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--

Miranda Cauchi (they/them)
Adult Librarian
Wayne Public Library
3737 S. Wayne Rd, Wayne, MI 48184
mcauchi@wayne.lib.mi.us
734-721-7832 (ext. 705)