Library
By Susan Bromley
Ortonville- The police have been called in.
Brandon deputies are making the Brandon Township Library a regular stop during after school hours after being called to the location three times within a recent one-week period.
‘We’re stepping up patrol and will involve our school liason officer (Arnie Terrell),? said Oakland Sheriff’s Office Brandon substation Sgt. Tim McIsaac. ‘We will have at least one walk-through a day during after-school hours until the problem is resolved.?
Children who were fighting, throwing items, vandalizing the library and challenging authority prompted librarians to request police assistance twice on Sept. 20 and once on Sept. 15.
The children, whom library public relations director Zoe Pearson described as unruly and disruptive, have refused to leave the grounds when asked.
‘They say, ‘You can’t make me, this is a public building, my parents are taxpayers,?? says Pearson. ‘They’re out of control. Mouthy, lippy, they have no respect for authority.?
Library employees have been told by police they don’t have to put up with this anymore. The kids are breaking the law and police suggest librarians tell the kids only one time that disruptive behavior or loitering is inappropriate. If they don’t conform, law enforcement should be called.
Pearson says there is a group of about 12-15 repeat offenders, but another ongoing issue the library has been dealing with is the huge number of kids in the library after-school on a daily basis. The library has been contending with up to 150 kids in the library during after school hours from about 2:30 p.m.- 5 p.m. almost since the library opened at 304 South St. in Dec. 2000.
Many students come from Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, which is adjacent to the library, while others come from Brandon Middle School. The situation has grown steadily worse with vandalism and rowdy kids a common complaint and less patronage by adults during those hours.
The issue came to a head in May, with the library hosting a community forum to discuss the problem and solutions. An after-school community task force was formed as a result of the meeting. The group’s mission is to alleviate overcrowding of the library by directing children into appropriate community activities after school. They are currently looking at options such as a Drama Club and Teen Volunteer Corps to give kids productive and fun things to do after school.
The forum, attended by about 60 members of the community, also resulted in ‘The After School Thing,? a program at Ortonville Baptist Church in which kids can use the facility to study, socialize, or play sports in the gym on Tuesdays. Children can be transported by bus to the free, supervised program from both the intermediate and middle schools.
Additionally, Brandon school officials will introduce the Mind and Motion After School Club on Oct. 3. The program, run daily from 2:50 p.m- 5 p.m. at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, emphasizes academics and physical fitness for fifth and sixth graders and has a fee of $35 per week, which must be paid monthly (for example, the month of October will cost enrollees $140).
Library Director JoAnn Gavey believes that while the new club will be a wonderful addition to school offerings, the cost may pose a problem.
‘These children who are disruptive, I’m afraid their parents can’t pay for it or won’t,? she said.
Pearson shares the concern.
‘Responsible parents will want their child in a supervised, healthy, safe environment,? she said. ‘You’d think they’d be willing to pay for it. Whether parents will take advantage (of the M & M Club) only time will tell.?
Pearson is appreciative of efforts by school and church officials as well as taskforce members, but says parents need to do their part, too.
‘Put kids in the program or see that they behave in the library or be home with them,? she said. ‘People have choices, but we will choose the consequences.?
Pearson says the next consequence that is being considered for students disobeying library policies, rules and the law is permanent expulsion from the library. ‘We’re librarians, not police officers, social workers or babysitters,? she said.
A more drastic measure is also being considered. ‘Closing the library in the afternoon is on our list of options,? says Gavey.
In the meantime, Brandon deputies will be called upon for enforcement and students disobeying the law may be taken to the substation where their parents will be called to pick them up.
‘I would like to see more parental support and for them to monitor the kids,? McIsaac says. ‘Our resources are strapped as well as the library. There’s always a small percentage of the population that doesn’t want to follow the rules. Hopefully we can assist the library in reenforcing their rules and prevent any further problems.?