Library eases restrictions

2–3 minutes

Student and staff observations of library changes this year

Staff Writer

During the 2023-2023 school year, the library was one of the most restrictive and unwelcoming spaces for students according to several student sources.

“I visited the library practically every single day and sometimes I would have to wait in line for two to ten minutes,” said Allison Mao (12). She added, “I heard library staff and volunteers yell at students to get out of the library because it was full.”

Amrit Mann (12), a frequent visitor, mentioned that the staff would close the library at around 1:05, right after lunch starts. “I obviously heard a lot of people get yelled at by staff to get away from the door. Everyone looked over in shock [at] the library staff.”

Additionally, the changing capacity was affecting students’ accessibility to print or use computers for work. “I went to the library twice a day and used the printer occasionally,” said Alice Fan (12). “I barely had time to print anything. It takes forever for the computer to turn on, and I only had 10 seconds to print. I got yelled [at] by them once or twice and I have heard them yell at other people a lot.”

Mrs. Do provided her perspective on the capacity issues. “Teachers are trained and credentialed to handle large numbers. I am a teacher-credentialed librarian, but my partner [from last year] does not have a credential,” she explained. “There is such a thing as a fire code, per square footage. We would be violating the fire code if we were to exceed a certain number.

When asked for a specific max capacity, she responded: “The number we are comfortable with: around 70 to 80 people. The LMT was very petite, whoever thinks [her policies] were harsh must understand that she was outnumbered.”

When asked about the use of raised voices and other restrictions, Mrs. Do stated, “I don’t deny it at all.”

This year, Mao pointed out, “I noticed that the doors are open the entirety of lunch and that there are many more people inside the library.” Mann corroborated this statement.

Fan noticed that “there is no long line anymore” and she has not heard any more yelling.

Mrs. Do added: “[The] new LMT is 6 ‘4, [and] just by his appearances, his stature, and his height, it yields authority.”

Mr. Maverick, the new library media technician said, “It is a hazard if there are too many kids, and there is a maximum occupancy that has to be followed. As long as everybody is well behaved, I will let them stay. As soon as it becomes rowdy, I will start removing kids.”