2024-03-26 — Re: Community issue affecting Library
From: "Jeffrey Szymaniak <jeffrey.szymaniak@whrsd.org>" <jeffrey.szymaniak@whrsd.org>
To: Laura
Cc: george.ferro@whrsd.org; beth.stafford@whrsd.org
Bcc: george.ferro@whrsd.org
Date: 2024-03-26 08:41
Subject: Re: Community issue affecting Library
Hi Laura,
Thank you for sharing Karen's email. As she stated I sent a letter to HMS parents last year about use of the library after school, especially on half days. I will
send something out again to remind parents. We can also ask the Y if they are able to put something together for students in half days but I assume there will be
a cost for their offerings paid by parents. I can also ask the SRO to check with the Chief to see if he can set up shop on the half days at the library since his
duties as SRO are not needed in the buildings. Traditionally anytime school is not in session the SRO becomes a patrol officer for the town. Having Derek in the
library with Ziva may be a deterrent for poor behavior.
I will check with the Y, send out a notice to parents, and speak with Derek. Hopefully this will quell the behavior and assist Karen and her staff.
Have a good day,
Jeff
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 1:03 PM Laura Fitzgerald-Kemmett <lkemmett@hanson-ma.gov> wrote:
■Hi there!
Please see the email below from our Library Director Karen Stolfer. Thoughts on how best to avoid this in the future would be appreciated. Wondering if after
school programming could be made available with the YMCA.
Warmest Regards,
Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett
Hanson Select Board Chair
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Begin forwarded message:
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 11:14 AM Karen Stolfer <kstolfer@hansonlibrary.org> wrote:
Hi Laura,
I'm writing to you as our Select Board liaison regarding a community issue that is affecting the Library. On early release days, the Library has become a hang out location that middle school students walk
to. Unfortunately many of these students are exhibiting inappropriate behavior. We first observed this last year and it has continued this year. I have been in touch with the police department as well as
the Superintendent's office, which sent out a letter I wrote to parents asking them to speak with their children about appropriate Library behavior. I understand that several local businesses have also dealt
with similar problems. Many of these students are not "bad" kids, but they lack places in Town for them to go. The sheer number of students is overwhelming to our small staff and small space. Although
we have behavior policies in place, staff find they have to constantly monitor the students, which results in no regular work getting done. We have also observed other patrons' use of the library being
disrupted. If you're available, you're welcome to stop by at one of the upcoming half days (Fri Mar 29th & Fri Apr 5th) around 1:00 pm to observe the situation firsthand. I am hoping to set up a meeting to
discuss this issue with you and anyone else you feel it would be appropriate to include in the conversation. If you feel it would be a matter for the whole Board, I'm happy to attend a meeting to discuss.
Thanks!
Karen
--
Karen Stolfer
Library Director