Welcome to the Z edition of the A to Z Blog Challenge featuring Library Love. Z is for Zzzzzz.
People always seem to catch a few zzzzz’s in the library. Perhaps it is because libraries are calm and quiet. Perhaps it is because a boring text is being read. I know that I fell asleep in the library more than once when I was in college. I’m sure it was a combination of academic literature combined with work, classes, and basic college life where there always seemed to be something going on.
There are actually college libraries that address this problem. The University of Michigan has a napping area.
Wellesley College has gone a step further and have installed Energy Pods that offer a place to take a twenty minute nap.
And, a napping library cat is just cute.
In actuality, sleeping in libraries is a big problem.
Libraries welcome everyone including the homeless population. In many cities, when the door is opened in the morning, there is a group of homeless people waiting to come in. They need a place to pass the day that is safe, dry, and warm. Librarians often find them snoozing in different areas of the library.
Where I worked, we had a policy of waking them up. It was okay to sit and read but we were not offering sleeping accommodations. Librarians need to balance the need to help the homeless while accommodating regular patrons. Usually the homeless read newspapers and use computers. If their behavior gets disruptive or dangerous, the police are called in to help. Librarians are not trained as social workers or mental health professionals but dealing with this population is one of the challenges today’s libraries face.
Thanks you for joining me on this month long journey into the library world. There are many things that didn’t make it into this month’s post so I’ll be sharing a library round-up in the weeks to come so I hope you’ll stop by for a visit soon.
time for a few zzzzzz’s….
Great photo!
http://sagecoveredhills.blogspot.com/2017/04/z-is-for-zodiac.html
Hi Claire – you’ve given us some wonderful posts about libraries and part of this one is sad – but is a way of life … we have a chap who comes into the cinema and stays through two afternoon shows … sometimes snoring – if I go in the afternoon. Sounds like you had the right idea for having some control without being unfair on them.
Love the kids zizzing … I do that too – change of environment … into a car (not driving) and I’m off, into a train(I haven’t driven a train!) and I’m off … going to visit someone in hospital or nursing centre … and I’m off … sit to read a book – the same thing! Cheers and I’ve so enjoyed these and meeting you … Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/z-is-for-zebra-zoo-and-zedland.html
Hilary Melton-Butcher recently posted…Z is for Zebra, Zoo and Zetland …
I used to sleep in the college library but there were dozens of other students doing the same thing, it’s not a good idea but sometimes you do kind of fall asleep not on purpose. funny, that no one ever try to wake me up.
I haven’t really consider the homeless and the libraries but mostly because I never saw any homeless sleeping in the libraries I visited. It is a problem so perhaps they should have a homeless shelter next to or near the libraries?
though I only find you in the latter half of the month but I enjoy visiting here.
have a lovely day.
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Bravo, Claire for completing the challenge. Your topic was awesome and you did a fabulous job. I’ll see you sometime this week when I highlight your blog in my short recap post.
I’ve also napped in libraries and often felt like sleeping. I agree that it can be an issue when too many people seek shelter inside their cozy walls.
I’ve never felt asleep in a library… and I’ve read very boring books!
I see often homeless people using computers in the libraries. I always think that is maybe their only chance to do that.
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