LIBRARY bosses are being urged to install panic buttons, hire guards and create safe rooms after a rise in staff abuse.
National charity Libraries Connected said workers regularly face “disturbing behaviour” and wants them to start wearing body cameras.
1
A library in Essex has hired guards after 50 incidents of anti-social behavior in three months.
Other flashpoints elsewhere have seen young people throwing books, being loud and abusive, and even climbing onto roofs.
Chief Ed Jewell said he was not sure what was driving the rise in anti-social behavior but insisted the impact was “clearly profound”.
Your organization has published guidance on how to make library staff and patrons feel safer.
Among the suggestions made are hiring “specially trained security staff” and identifying a “safe location” that can be locked and has radios and telephones where staff can retreat to seek help.
It also recommends the installation of panic buttons – linked to local security services or the police – to be “discreetly activated” by employees.
And workers can attend courses in subjects such as “conflict training”.
Jewell writes: “We want libraries to be safe and supportive environments for everyone.
“To sustain this, libraries need clear, enforceable policies and consistent, informed support from the local authority and police. This strong support needs to be balanced with training for staff that gives them confidence to deal with disruptive behavior and, where possible, the ability to engage and transform potentially challenging behaviors into something more constructive.
“What is driving the recent increase in disruptive behavior is uncertain, but the impact on employees is clearly profound.
“A Manager’s first duty is to provide a safe work environment for their teams.
“We sincerely hope that these guidelines provide valuable support in achieving this goal.”
Libraries Connected chief executive Isobel Hunter said: “Any level of disruption or intimidation is not appropriate in a library environment.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
