Mental Health

Mental Health Facts in America

• 43.8 million adults experience mental illness in a given year.
• 1 in 5 Adults in America experience a mental illness.  
• Nearly 1 in 25 (million) adults in America live with a serious mental illness.  
• One-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14; three-quarters by the age of 24.

Below is a video series that addresses different aspects of library patrons affected by mental illness and how library staff can best respond.  
Published on Sep 27, 2017 by California Library Services


Episode 1 - Welcome to the Mental Health Initiative Video Series
https://youtu.be/JnHH_EDRlZg

Episode 2 - Establishing a Positive Staff Culture Around Mental Health
https://youtu.be/Jpkh41BL0oY

Episode 3 - The Do's and Dont's of Interacting with Patrons Affected by Mental Illness
https://youtu.be/P99gdETQ1fU

Episode 4 - How to Establish Positive Relationships with Disruptive Patrons
https://youtu.be/RiSU9OdtoHg

Episode 5 - Exploring Compassion Fatigue
https://youtu.be/UvPz1BTCBfA

Episode 6 - Successfully Addressing Customer Complaints About Patrons Affected by Mental Illness
https://youtu.be/cfetzKVVoY4

Mental Health Resources:

Mental Health America
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
https://www.nami.org/

National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml

Rowan Public Library Food Policy

Rowan Public Library Disruptive Behavior Policy Statement
#9. no consumption of food, except in designated areas;

Q. What is considered a designated area for Patrons?

A. Stanback Auditorium, Hurley Room and Outside Areas

Q. What is considered a designated area for Staff?

A. Staff Areas Only (out of sight of patrons) 

We should always conceal food when we are walking through public areas of the library while the library is open.

Q. Why should we conceal food from Patrons?

A. Patrons may not be aware that food consumption is not allowed inside the library, if they see staff with food they could assume that they to can bring food into the library.

  
Call Security if you witness a patron eating in a undesignated area of the library, or approach the patron and politely say, "Excuse me, but you probably didn't know that food isn't allowed inside the library." Inform the patron that they are more than welcome to finish eating their food outside. (we should not send patrons to the meeting area to eat.)

If the Security Officer is not on duty and you do not feel comfortable approaching the patron inform your Supervisor.

The Disruptive Behavior Policy Statement is not only for our patrons.

We must lead by example. It makes it very difficult to enforce policies when Patrons see us breaking them.
 I



 

Time Out for Safety Issue

Time Out for Safety Issue

If you see anything lying on the floor please pick it up.

Some Examples: paper, writing utensils, plastic bags, drink bottles, books.

If you see furniture out of place take the time and move it back to where it belongs.

Please consider placing step stools under the catalog desks. This way no one will trip over them and staff will always know where to find them. 

If you see an unsupervised bag sitting around, find out who it belongs to. If you cannot find the owner see if you can find something inside the bag to ID its owner. Never open a bag by yourself. 

If the bag looks suspicious call the police.

We all have a responsibility to keep the Library Safe and Clean.

Parking Lot Safety

Holiday Shopping Safety

No Drinks in the COMPUTER LAB!

A reminder that drinks are not allowed in the Computer Lab. It doesn't matter if it has a lid or not, it will not be allowed. 

This includes YA and Children's Department.

Meeting Room Emergency Exits

Never BLOCK Emergency Exits.

During summer reading the rooms get crowded so keep in mind not to block any exit with anything including people. Paths to and from emergency exits should stay clear at all times!

If you see a blocked emergency exit please take the time to unblock it or asked who is blocking the exit to keep it clear. This goes for all Emergency Exits through out the buildings.

Everyone is responsible for keeping Patrons and Staff safe.

Hot Summer Slump Security Tips

Hot Summer Slump Days are approaching and here are a few reminders of what to look for and how to handle a summer slump security situation.

•     Clothes are a requirement here at RPL and this includes shoes. Not wearing shoes is a safety hazard. Ask the patron if they have a pair with them, if not let them know the hours of operation and that they are welcome back once they get a pair.

•     Shorts are allowed BUTT cheeks aren’t. Ask the patron to cover themselves. Nudity is not allowed here at RPL.

•     No sagging pants. Ask the patron to pull up their pants by a hand motion or you can verbally inform them about the rule.

•     No HOOD/HOODIES are allowed to be worn up inside the library. Ask the patron to pull down their hood with a simple hand motion or you can verbally inform them about our No Hoods Up rule.

•     No food or consumption of food is allowed inside the library. The exceptions are library programs or groups using our meeting rooms. But, food cannot be removed from program areas or meeting rooms and consumed elsewhere in the building. If someone walks in licking on their ice cream cone inform them of this policy and ask them to finish eating their ice cream outside. We do not “hold” or “store” food for customers while they are in the library.

•     No sleeping on library property. Some folks come to the library to escape the heat but while they are here they must be utilizing library resources or services.

•     No smoking on library property. This covers the use of all tobacco products including snuff, dipping/chewing tobacco, vaping devices, electronic cigarettes/Cig-a-likes and pods.

•     No hanging around outside on library property with no purpose.  This is called loitering. If a patron is waiting for a ride they are welcome to wait inside.

•     Know the Unattended Child Policy. We are not a daycare.

                    Children 8 years of age or younger are to be “attended” by a parent or other responsible caretaker (16 years or older) during their entire visit to the library.

                    A child 8 years or younger who is attending library sponsored programs need not to be accompanied by a parent or caretaker during the program. However, the parent or caretaker is expected to remain somewhere in the library for the duration of the program and must be present at the doors of the program when it is over.                          

                    Children 9-11 years of age must have a parent or caretaker (16 years or older) somewhere in the library.

•     Only 11-17 year olds are allowed to hang out in the TEEN AREA. This is in effect during all operational hours. Noise volume is okay to rise in this area, but teens must follow library policies. Inappropriate behavior such as cursing or physical contact are not allowed. Teens must be respectful to staff and other patrons. Adult tutors cannot tutor teens in this area. If patrons complain about the noise level please explain that this area is provided for teens to gather and sometimes noise levels will rise. Assist the patron in finding a more suitable area to work.

Feel free to contact me for more tips on how to deal with security situations. 

If you see something, say something.

This sign will be placed on the backside of all the RPL public restrooms doors. Let me know if you have any questions. 

We want our patrons to feel safe, comfortable and empowered to notify staff when they see suspicious activity. 

The sign will also act as a deterrent to prevent anyone from acting out any criminal activity.

Please report If you notice any signs that have be damaged or taken down.

Thank you for your support in making RPL a Safe environment. 

Loud conversation

1. Loud conversation, or noise, including use of cell phones, electronics devices, etc. which is disturbing to other library users;

The Rowan Public Library Disruptive Behavior Policy Statement applies not only to our patrons but also to RPL staff as well. We too can be disruptive to our patrons.

Parking Lot Safety

 There have been a lot of reports lately on car break-ins.

Beware of your surroundings and don't leave anything in your car of value to you.

RPL Food Policy

Disruptive and Unacceptable Behavior Policy # 9 - No consumption of food, except in designated areas;

This is just a reminder that this policy applies to our patron, but it also applies to staff. There are designated areas in all departments where we can eat our snacks. It makes it very difficult to enforce policies when Patrons see us breaking them.



Know this policy and be confident in enforcing it!

NO Hoodies

It's that time of year when our patrons will be coming in with clothing apparel that has a hood. Hoodies are not allowed to be worn inside RPL. So if you see a patron with their hoodie on please ask them to take it down while they are inside the library. Below are examples of how you can approach the patron.

Excuse me ma'am/sir you probably didn't realize, but you won't be allowed to wear your hoodie while inside the library.

Excuse me ma'am/sir you probably didn't know, but hoodies aren't allowed to be worn inside the library so would you please keep it down while your here.

Sometimes you can just use a hand gesture to the patron to take it down and they will comply.

Always give the patron a few minute when they come in to remove their hoodie themselves. Most patrons will wear their hoodie up as their coming in, but will remove it soon after they have arrived. If it appears that the patron is going to continue to wear it please approach the patron and inform them about our policy.

Active Shooter

RUN.HIDE.FIGHT

If you are to ever find yourself in the middle of an active shooter event, your survival may depend on whether or not you have a plan. The plan doesn’t have to be complicated.

There are three things you could do that make a difference: Run. Hide. Fight.

RUN: First and foremost, if you can get out, do.

• If there is an escape path, attempt to evacuate
• Evacuate whether others agree to or not
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape if possible
• Prevent others from entering the area
• Call 9-1-1 when you are safe

HIDE: If you can’t get out safely, you need to find a place to hide. Act quickly and quietly. Try to secure your hiding place the best you can.

• Lock and/or blockade the door
• Silence your cell phone/pager
• Hide behind large objects
• Remain very quiet

Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the shooter’s view
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction
• Not trap or restrict your options for movement

FIGHT: As a last resort, and only if your life is in danger . . . whether you’re alone or working together as a group, fight.

• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
• Act with physical aggression
• Improvise weapons
• Commit to your actions

Remember: The first responders on the scene are not there to evacuate or tend to the injured. They are well-trained, and are there to stop the shooter.

What to do when law enforcement arrives:

• Remain calm and follow instructions
• Keep your hands visible at all times
• Avoid pointing or yelling
• 
  

  Know that help for the injured is on its way
  resources:  www.homelandsecurity.gov