[CALIBK12] Patron History

[ladewig]

Heidi wrote: "In my opinion, caring about another human being enough to
reach out and help trumps privacy." 

 

AMEN!

 

We have "Good Samaritan" laws to protect those people who reach out to help
as best they can in a physical emergency against legal claims; we should
have the same appreciation of those who take the initiative to at least ask
a supervisor if an observation raises a "red flag" about someone's mental
health and warrants further interest or intervention. 

 

I think every Virginia Tech parent would back me up on this.

 

Joanne Ladewig  (A.K.A. "Library Lady")

Library Media Tech

Lawrence Elementary, GGUSD

Garden Grove, California

shatz at verizon.net

 

Comments are my own and may not represent the views of GGUSD

 

  _____  

From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu
[mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Heidi Snively
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2007 11:49 AM
To: ode2living at aol.com; calibk12 at listproc.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: [CALIBK12] Patron History

 

(Remember signing our names on library cards?  For the life of the card it
was there for all the world to see, that I checked out "Forever Amber.")

 

I strongly believe children have the same reading rights under the first
amendment as adults, and I do appreciate your district taking the high road
on privacy rights.  

 

Even so, I used the patron history function just recently to help a student
replicate her lost reading log.  She was over-the-moon grateful because she
was in the running for the most pages read award, and it was a close race to
the top.  

 

I haven't yet had to use it to determine possible responsibility for damage,
but I think that would be a legitimate use of the function.

 

This discussion came up last year regarding what should a librarian do when
he or she notices a student repeatedly checking out "troubling" material.  I
don't know if it any "official" conclusions were drawn.  In my opinion,
caring about another human being enough to reach out and help trumps
privacy.  If I were in that situation, you bet I would stick by big nose
into their business and try to help; and I hope someone would care enough to
help one of my sons, should the need arise.  Better to be embarrassed than
to miss a chance to prevent a tragedy.

 

p.s. The student I helped did win the reading award. 

 

Heidi Snively

Library Media Specialist

Grand View Elementary School

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

 

hsnively at manhattan.k12.ca.us

310-546-8022 x5404

 

 <http://www.grandviewlibrary.info/> http://www.grandviewlibrary.info/

 

 

 

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