Helping the difficult library patron : new approaches to examining and resolving a long-standing and ongoing problem / Kwasi Sarkodie-Mensah, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Sarkodie-Mensah, Kwasi.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Public services (Libraries).

Libraries and community.

Libraries--Public relations.

Libraries.

Libraries--Security measures.

Customer relations.

Conflict management.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (522 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This insightful book shows you how to deal with an issue as old as the library profession: interacting with problem patrons. It looks at this fact of life that affects almost every facet of library work and provides practical solutions--some developed within the field and some borrowed from other professions--that will improve reference services for those you serve and make the work of your library staff less stressful, more productive, and increasingly meaningful.</br></br>Helping the Difficult Library Patron: New Approaches to Examining and Resolving a Long-Standing and Ongoing Problem exami

Contents:

Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Table of Contents; Introduction; The Nature of the Problem: Definitions, Scope and Extent, Historical Perspectives, and Diverse Clientele; Problem Patrons: All Shapes and Sizes; Problem Patrons; Anger; Harassment of Staff; Crime; Destruction of Property; Unattended Children; Homelessness; Past vs. Current Problems; Conclusion; References; The Problem Patron: Is There One in Your Library?; Introduction; History of "Problem Patron"; Who is a Problem Patron?; Types of Problem Patrons; Problem Patrons of the 90s; Noisy Seniors

Technology-Created Problem PatronsPatrons' Problem Behavior; Eccentric Behavior; Non-Compliance with Library Rules; Harassment; Intentional Behavior; Problems Caused by Mental Illness; Conclusion; References; The "Problem Patron" Public Libraries Created; Introduction and Background; How the Young Adult Problem Patron has been Created; Developmental Misunderstandings and the "Ideal Patron" Syndrome; Dichotomized Service; Resistance to Library Use and Learning as a Social Process; Inadequate Assumptions About Adolescent Information-Seeking; Conclusion; References

Historical Perspectives on Problem Patrons from the British Public Library Sector, 1850-1919Problems of Enforcement; Theft, Damage and "Proper" Use; Female and Juvenile Patrons; Loafers and Gamblers; Conclusion; References; Difficult Library Patrons in Academe: It's All in the Eye of the Beholder; Introduction; How Well Do We Know Our Patrons?; Do We Unwittingly Create "Difficult" Patrons Through Our Failure to Appreciate Their Needs?; Do We Label Patrons as Difficult Because They do not Conform to Our View of How Information Research should be Conducted?

Responding to the Difficult Patron Requires an Attempt to Re-Conceptualize Our ServiceImplications for Staff; Conclusion: Responding to the Difficult Patron; References; The Difficult Patron in the Academic Library: Problem Issues or Problem Patrons?; Introduction; Literature Review; Labeling the Academic Library User; Eliminating Sources of Conflict and Tension Between Faculty and Library Staff; Collection Development and Weeding; Circulation Matters; Reserves; Interlibrary Loan Issues; Reference Desk Issues; Purchasing of Electronic Resources; Course-Related Instruction

Faculty-Librarian RelationshipStudent-Librarian Working Relationship; Student Needs and Procrastination; Recommendations and Conclusion; References; Personal Safety in Library Buildings: Levels, Problems, and Solutions; The Problem: The Public Building as a (Potentially) Dangerous Place; Why Libraries?; Levels of Security; Level 1: Perfect Security; Level 2: Extremely Good Security; Level 3: Very Good Security; Level 4: Commendable (Pretty Good) Security; Level 5: So-So Security; Level 6: Token Security (Better than Nothing); Level 7: No Protection (Rotten Security); Security Measures

Solutions: A Workable Plan for Preventing Violence in Public Buildings

Notes:

". has been co-published simultaneously as The reference librarian, Numbers 75-76 2002."

First published by the Haworth Information Press, 2002.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed November 22, 2013).

ISBN:

1-317-95180-8

1-317-95181-6

1-315-86347-2

9781315863474

OCLC:

863822476