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Response to “Library is no place for vagrants” - by Jan Erickson
It is our goal that every customer has a positive experience at the Redding Public Library. The library contains not only materials and resources, but also serves as a community center. As a free public institution, the library is open to all.
Library users are required to following the City’s code regarding proper conduct on library premises. Security is also available many hours a week. The City also passed an ordinance to prohibit smoking within 60 feet of the library’s front door.
Since the library is a public building, it is important that parents supervise their young children while visiting the library. In fact, if young children are left unattended, the proper authorities are notified.
We appreciate input from our community members. However, I am somewhat surprised at Mr. Largent’s letter since I have recently received so many positive comments from both the public and staff about improved conditions at the library.
It is also important to note that the library has been designated as a “Cooling Center” during this difficult time of extreme heat and smoke from the nearby fires.
Sincerely,
Jan K. Erickson
Library Director
Shasta Public Libraries
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If the homeless folks want to use the library to read and spend the afternoon in a cool, comfortable place, I am all for that. Loitering is another story. The homeless should not be sleeping by the front door or hanging out there. There are adequate shelters for night use. Check with City Hall for city codes regarding this.
Jan,
I really support your work and all that you do for the community. There were years when my husband and I were young and living on the road, and libraries were always a wonderful haven - for reading, catching up on the news, having a comfy chair in which to write, a place to research whatever I was writing about at the time, and finding out about the area in which we were traveling. It was terrific to have a public place where we were welcome even though we weren’t residents.
Thank you for your post Jan. Mr. Largent should go spread his hate somewhere else.
Thank you for this article. It covers everything very nicely.
I live within walking distance of our Anderson library and have on occasion been accosted by unattended children. (parents may even have been there but paying no attention) A few of these children seemed pretty desperate for attention, running in the back isle and trying repeatedly to start conversations with me, a stranger.
Nothing annoying enough to make a complaint about for sure but enough so to make me wonder where the parents were and why these children did not know enough to not approach a stranger in a dark corner of the library.
Jan…please understand that I am one of the biggest supporters of the Library, thus my concern. I am constantly encouraging folks to come and visit the Library, which I do almost weekly. What I pointed out, and I don’t know where Jan gets “hate” from my article….is that we could have a potential problem with the so-called “homeless” and “transients” if we do not do something to address the issue. To do nothing is irresponsible, in my opinion. And, I would be all for developing a program at the Library to deal with these folks, if they want to participate. The Good News Rescue Mission has one of the finest educational programs around that is designed to give the less fortunate an opportunity to get back on track with their lives. With regards to my making a point about security, I have a number of ideas that I will share with you whereby we could use volunteers to help address the issue…all you have to do is call. All said, to just allow business at the Library to go on as usual hearing only what you want to hear could lead to a problem, which I would hope we could avoid. And, as mentioned above, the Library is a great place that we all really enjoy….but it can be even better with some minor management decisions, and changes. Thanks for your interest in my thoughts.
Ron Largent
I totally agree with you Ron - it is very disturbing to see the loitering outside of the Library.
As with the so called smoking ban of 60 feet - yea right (that is NOT enforced whatsoever!!!! and I, for one, am tired of these smoking chimneys, fouling MY AIR (I have the right to breathe air w/o cancer stick smoke)
I have come across this problem ALL OVER Redding - I never voted to ban smoking - EVER ! But now I would support a smoke free city - especially at outdoor events, fairs, concerts, campsites, river trail, etc. etc. etc. I am sick of their inconsiderate crap.
Another rant - why are homeless people allowed to have dogs??? As if they get their dogs vaccinated (rabies, anyone) - it costs a small fortune to own a pet - and I want to know why we (the city/county) allow these people to have them, and then proclaim they are hungry, homeless, work for food, etc. etc.
Do I ‘hate’ these people - NO, I just think EVERYONE should be responsible for their actions - just a thought!
My children are 11 and 12. They are old enough to go to the lobrary on their own. When I was that age i walked to the library every day by myself. I would not allow my children to spend time at the Redding Library on their own now. Again, if they want to “cool off”, fine, do so by taking advantage of what the library has to offer, not lounging in front blocking the entrance and blowing smoke in the faces of passersby. I am a smoker, but there is a time and a place, and the entrance to the library is not the place, and I agree with the above, there may be a smoking ban within 60 feet of the entrance, but it is certainly not enforced. The library should be a safe place for children and adults alike, we the taxpayers spent a lot of money to build this beautiful new building, but we are not being allowed to use it in comfort because of the vagrants loitering in and around it.