Donna in Hollywoodland

Donna Grayson

Thursday, January 12, 2006

The Library

I guess the Durant Library on Sunset & La Brea are now opened some-kind of winter hours.
I drove by a few times after work, and they were closed.

So I had to hop in my car, and drive over there on my lunch break.

I get to the library. I had put some books "On Hold" via the library website.
I need to pick them up.

As I am in line, there is a commotion at the check-out counter.
A man is demanding to talk to the librarian's supervisor.
Soon another librarian comes over.

The man is saying very loudly:
"They let me do it last time."
"She said as long as I had headphones it was okay."
"How do I get a library card ?!?"
"What is your name?"
"I want to see the Manager!"
"Whats the managers name?"

Next, the librarian motions to me to come over to the counter.
Oh, no, not me. I was in the hospital like 5 months ago. I don't want to risk being near this angry library patron.

I move to the counter, and hand her the books I am returning.

The angry library patron is right behind me, and um, he, well ... he stinks.
I am trying not to breath while she takes my books.

The man then puts his cell phone on the speaker phone - and he dials 911.

The 911 Operator answers.
The man explains "I am at the Durant Library, and they won't let me watch a DVD on my portable DVD player. I brought headphones with me. They let me watch a DVD last time with headphones."
The 911 operator explains this isn't really a 911 emergency. She says the best thing for him to do is to leave the library.
The entire library can hear because its still on speaker phone.

The Stinky Library Patron continues "Well, I asked to speak to the manager and the manager isn't here."
The 911 Operator says "Find out when the manager is going to be there, and come back then."

The man walks over to my librarian and asks when the manager will be there.
She gives him this information.
I hold my breath again, because he smells so bad.

He tells the 911 Operator that he is leaving the library and coming back when the Manager is in.
He turns off his cellphone and leaves.
He looks so sad that he could not watch a DVD.

My librarian is so flustered.
She starts to explain that Cell Phones aren't allowed in the library, but because of the situation she let him make the call. She knew what the 911 operator would tell him.
Then she explains to me the policy about not letting patrons watch DVDs on portable players. They have to check them out.
She is kind of rambling and embarrassed. It seemed like she was explaining herself so she didn't seem like the bad guy.

Then I said "I also have a bunch of books on hold."
She looks at my account "No, you don't. Nothing here for you."
"I looked at your website last night. And I have about 5 books on hold" I say.
"No, there's nothing being held for you." she says again.
"Can you please double-check. I saw 5 books on hold for me when I looked" I ask.

She must click a different link. The 5 books appear.
"Oh, Oh, yes you do. Sorry, I missed that. Yes you have books on hold. I'll get them."

She must have been so flustered by the Stinky Library Patron, she got confused.

I got my books and left.
As I drove away, I saw the stinky library patron sitting out in front of the library.
He looked so sad.
He's probably close to being homeless, and his only activity for the day was to watch a DVD at the library.

And personally, I think it sounds like a silly rule.
Anyone can walk in there and sit and read a book, newspaper or magazine without a library card.
You can even surf the internet on their computers.
So it would make sense that if you had a portable DVD player with headphones, then you should be able to watch a DVD.

And I really don't think he mis-used the 911 Operators time. Who knows where he is mentally.
I would rather he dialed 911, than pull a knife on the librarian.
(The thought of that happening did cross my mind as I stood there.)
So by him dialing 911, it was actually a good thing. Because the 911 operator calmed him down, and gave him some sensible options.

I hope the poor librarian got a chance to relax after that.

posted by Donna Grayson # 11:34 PM

Donna in Hollywoodland

Thursday, January 12, 2006

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