The New Parma Library( Powers Ave) Part Two

The New Parma Library (Powers Ave.) Part Two                                                         The children’s area is beautifully decorated with rhymes that span the wide support beams. The immediate eye catching feature is the wonderful mural on the western wall. There are also storage creations that are quite imaginative. The deficiency, in regard to the children’s section, is that there is no sound barrier between the children’s section and the adult section. Thus after the children enjoy, what is in many respects, is a time at the playground, some have a tendency to get upset thus making their displeasure know to all. The storage creations, as visually attractive as they are, are readily disorganized by the children and possibly by the adults.

There could have been a partition that went from floor to ceiling but apparently neither engineer nor administration of the library considered this option. The thought is the administration of libraries would have had the experience to be ready with thoughts such as this, perhaps listening to the individual workers who would be familiar with the activities of the various branches. There could have also been some foresight into having an exit in the children’s section. This would have circumvented the issue of having an upset (usually boisterous) child go through much of the library to exit with parent.

There are issues also with a parent using the computers with a child in tow. There have been instances where the parent goes to the adult section to work on the computer. With child next to them being a little boisterous and asking for a continuous list of computer games. Doesn’t it seem logical to guide these parents to the children’s section? The staff responds that the sections are open to all. That is true but to all who act appropriately. They should be permitted to direct disruptive individuals or groups of individuals to an appropriate area.        

The teen section is a room walled off by a glass partition. It contains a play station that is usually available, at least when I had observed this section. Also in the room are a number of computers.  I assume are for the use of the teens. It is decorated with stuffed furniture for their comfort. The room is spacious and seems comfortable. The difficulty here is that there is rarely a teen in the room. It would have been more appropriate as a reading room for adults however the children in the children’s area are enough to discourage a quiet reading. Possibly that’s the reason teens do not congregate in that area.  Was planning well thought out? High salaried executive director didn’t earn her income here either.