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Designated different areas of the building for different noise levels and place signage accordingly
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Quiet meeting room for those who want to study, after-school group meets to plan events, events
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Very large room on the second floor for teens - lots of seating. Designated for grades 7-12, so no adults unless it’s a tutor or guardian. An afterschool program called Teen Space to play Xbox and switch, ping pong, board games, and homework in the meeting room everyday from 2:45-5pm staffed by two people. They must show proof of their student or age status.
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Area for different groups of teens to hang out with computers, books, and seating. Have a “three strikes” rule where they leave for the day if they need to be spoken to about behavior three times. Boredom Box filled with colored pencils, yarn, knitting needles. Board games. Events. Popular volunteer program and gives out snacks to just volunteers.
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They hired 3 monitors for 50 kids after school who were retired school teachers to wander areas where teens congregated, but they were later fired to save money and the burden of keeping the kids in line fell onto the frontline library staff...resulting in many more kids misbehaving. They highly recommend having someone directly responsible for managing the kids.
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Closes from 3-4pm every day during the school year. People only allowed in one at a time for specific purposes like picking up a hold (no studying or hanging out).
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Expectations poster and a consequences guideline sheet. Also an “afterschool” chat in Teams that all staff are part of to keep track of who has already been reminded or warned. Call parents/school when there is a ban.
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Library Staff Dos and Don’ts List. Partner with the local school district so that the expectations of the community regarding the library are consistent and reinforced. Visit the schools, speak at school board meetings
Storm Hawthorn (she/her) | Teen Services & Schools Liaison Librarian
East Lansing Public Library
950 Abbot Rd | East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 319-6516 | shawthorn@elpl.org
Please note: as a public library worker my working hours may be variable. While I have sent this email at a time that works for me I do not expect that you will read, respond or address this email outside of your working hours.