Library Board Narrows Director Search; Staff Moving Forward With Teen Behavioral Improvement Plan
After a 17-week search process, the East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees, along with consultant Bradbury Miller Associates, has whittled 41 applications for the director’s position down to seven.
Following the seven semi-finalist interviews, which are scheduled for the beginning of April, three or four finalists will be selected for a public interview by the library trustees at the board’s April 22 meeting. The board plans to vote on the new director during the meeting.
“I will say that there are candidates as far as California and New York, and as near as here [Michigan],” said Ameenah Asante, board president.
While the names of the candidates are kept confidential to keep candidates’ current employers from finding out they are looking for a new position, current Interim Director Chrissie Evaskis-Garrett, confirmed at the March 18 meeting that she is one of the semi-finalists.
The ELPL Non-Supervisory Union sent the board a letter in November outlining director qualities they hope to see, recommending that the new director be required to move to the Greater Lansing/East Lansing area, or demonstrate an existing commitment to the East Lansing community.
In a text message to East Lansing Info, Asante said that while the board is appreciative of the union’s input, it has not discussed or made a formal decision about the role residency will play in selecting the new director.
Library staff is moving forward with a youth behavioral improvement plan.
As the search for the next director progresses, so has the work of the library’s after-school mitigation committee, which was created to explore what the library can do to improve after-school hours for staff and patrons, particularly teens, in response to ongoing youth behavioral problems.
It’s common for the library staff to see an influx of students after the school day is over, with an average of 50 students daily, according to Experience Team Leader Elizabeth Kish.
So far, the committee has recommended ways to support staff so they feel better equipped to manage difficult behavior, such as creating a chart based on the library code of conduct that addresses common behavioral problems and how staff should respond.
Kish provided an example: someone running or yelling in the library would warrant one reminder, then one warning, and if the problem persisted, the patron would be asked to leave the library. However, if the behavior is especially unacceptable, a reminder wouldn’t be given; they’d be given a warning and then asked to leave if they continue.
“It’s hard because we’ve done a lot of work internally to be on the same page, communicate better, and to enforce our rules more consistently,” Kish said. “I’m always wondering … is that effective, I mean, I know it’s effective, but … the people coming here could also be another factor in it.
“We’re trying to understand what is it that we do at the library that attracts teens and what they want … what are you [students] looking for in the place you go after school?”
To understand the teens’ wants and needs, the library will launch a teen survey when students return from spring break in April.
“We are a safe, welcoming space that anyone can come and be in … I do consider that a service in and of itself, but … let’s say you just come with a group of friends and you’re just hanging out, you’re not really doing anything that you couldn’t do somewhere else. Is there something [we can offer]?” Kish asked.
In addition to the survey, the library will roll out a new positive behavior reinforcement system. The specific details are still being hammered out, but the program is akin to a frozen yogurt punch card. Just as a customer earns a stamp for every yogurt purchased towards a free treat, teens will earn stamps for positive behaviors such as picking up trash, studying or pushing in chairs.
Once they have three stamps, they receive a small reward, like stickers or candy. When the card is full, they would get a bigger prize, like a phone charger or gift certificate. There would also be a monthly raffle, where teens with full cards can enter.
The point of the program is for staff to build stronger relationships with teens and recognize when they do something positive, not just negative.
“We try to build relationships with the teens, but we’re not all doing [a] teen hangout; some of us are just checking out books or shelving books, but still we’re interacting,” Kish said. “It’s nice to be like, ‘Hey, stop running,’ but also, ‘Hey, I noticed you pushed in your chair and all the rest of the chairs, thank you.’”
“Just as I see you when you need reminding to not yell or whatever, I see you when you do good stuff too,” Kish said.