Case Study- Home Away from Home

Today I read the case study, Home Away from Home. I really like the idea of case studies. I think it is interesting to think of ways to come up with a solution. Anyway, in the article there is a public library patrons that drops her kid off in the children's section and plants herself at a computer for the majority of the day. The staff is annoyed by the child acting out, and other patrons not getting time on the computer because she is hogging it. The article ends by saying maybe it is time to consider changing our policy. I definitely think it is time to change their policy. First and most importantly, they should create a child policy. Children left unattended could very easily create a liability for the library. Not only that but since it is a public place children should not be left unattended for their own safety. Also, there should be a time limit and session log for computer use. After her allowed session Mrs. Kittner should have to sign up for a new session. If there is no one waiting she can get back on right away, but if there is a line she will have to get at the back of the line and wait her turn. This is only fair and it is the best way to accommodate all patrons. Mrs. Kittner is in a sticky situation and since the librarians know of her hard time they should do everything the can to help her. I think the library should think about investing in laptops. Today they are fairly inexpensive so they could get a few. This would also help solve the problem of her unattended child. She could check out a laptop and then sit with him in the children's section while still having access to a computer. Also laptops that must be checked out by an adult would keep children for messing around on them and potentially damaging them.