Does this make me sucky?

[KellyHabersham]

*not sure if this counts as a "self-sighting" but posting it here because I'm sure some of our library customers would see it as such*

Without going into detail - my library system's "Friends of the Library" group is doing a campaign of sorts, encouraging the public to request that the libraries be open more often. (let's just say that right now, half the branches are closed two days a week, and the other half closed one day)

My take on this is, as an employee......I don't necessarily want the library to be open more hours. And I know that might sound sucky, but to give a few reasons why I feel this way:

- I like having one day when I know I definitely won't have to work. (I don't have a set schedule, so this is helpful when planning things)

- Some of our customers allow their children to make a huge mess in the children's area and don't clean up after them. We don't need "more" open hours for them to do this.

- When we were open until 9 pm on Sundays, it was very slow in my work area after about 6 pm, and I hate having to be at work when there's nothing to do. (we can't/don't get sent home)

[Sapphire Silk]

It's a cost effectiveness issue. Unless your system can afford to be open the extra hours, they likely won't be.

I don't think it's sucky to have self interest.

[KellyHabersham]

It's a cost effectiveness issue. Unless your system can afford to be open the extra hours, they likely won't be.

I don't think it's sucky to have self interest.

Well, my thing is that in theory, expanding library hours should mean more people coming in, but it doesn't necessarily work that way. (especially in the evenings......it's mainly people who use the Internet computers or Wi-Fi, NOT the kids doing homework.)

[Aragarthiel]

This is why the library I used to work at has shorter hours during breaks, and over the summer. They end up becoming babysitters when the parents just drop their kids off and say "I'll pick you up when I get off work." And those kids usually get left with snacks, which are NOT allowed, but because the parents disappeared, there's not much anyone can do. I mean, you don't want the kids to starve, and if they're hungry, they're just going to make the whole situation worse. I used to get my grandpa, a local police officer, to come sit in his car in the parking lot for an hour or so in the mornings, and it deterred most parents who thought of doing such a thing.

So yeah, I totally get why you don't want more hours. You're not paid to babysit.

[EricKei]

I see no suck on your part. The library has those hours set for a reason. As for that "Friends of the Library" group -- I can only hope that they have good intentions, but...~_~

If the library is under restricted hours to begin with, I'm willing to bet that a HUGE contributing factor was simply people not showing up to take advantage of its services when that decision was made. If people start sending you requests?? Remind them of this. Heck, see if the Friends group will increase their donations (which they presumably make...) on a permanent basis by at least the amount needed to cover the extra hours (payroll, power, water, etc)...If the brass wil allow it.

Also, maybe see if the bosses will put out a clearer statement regarding what is and is not allowed in the Childrens' area. The local library here has a number very clear signs posted that state that parents cannot leave their kids unattended; maybe see if the bosses will start such a policy, or, if it already exists, start enforcing it. Via calling the cops when kids are left there, if need be. We all know that, in the unlikely event that a kid left there alone disappears, those parents will come down on the library, HARD...after all, it's not *their* fault, now is it?