Was at the SW library, reading a book, sitting at a far corner of the room .My shoes are brand new, wearing a pair of clean socks and out of public sight. Like most of you, trying to be as comfortable as possible and not bothering anyone except when this librarian told me that it is a policy that one needs to have their shoes on AT ALL TIME. My shoes were just very near to my feet and sometimes half way in as I have a blister
I politely asked him for the policy (see attached) and it did not state anything about taking the shoes off. It just state, no shirt no shoes (barefoot).
Bear in mind, I was not even walking with socks on.
I told him that is a ridiculous policy and should not be applied. I wanted to discuss with him constructively about the policy but he rudely refused and wrote me this “Notice of Exclusion Order”-banning me for coming to the library for 3 days.
I called the Administrative office at the Library’s HQ and talked to an Administrator and she said that my particular case was ridiculous and “nip-picking”.
What I wanted to discuss with the librarian that wrote me up is: Does this apply when one is wearing thongs or slippers or slip in/out scandals?
Guess what, the Administrator said it is OKAY to wear slippers.
Now go figure, it is okay to wear slippers and let everyone see your toes but you cannot wear socks!!
Note: the librarian said I was banned from ALL libraries but the question is how will you know I have gone to another library?
I have used other libraries and no librarians have approached me about this situation except this librarian at SW library.
Well folk, your taxes are at work here and what would you do?
This is their reply
From: “Joe Fithian”Add sender to Contacts To: chrisgoh1@yahoo.comCc: Dan.Baer@spl.org, “Julie Ann Oiye” , “Lois Fenker”
—–Inline Attachment Follows—–
Mr. Goh,
Thank you for your email concerning the rules of conduct violation that occurred on November 6, 2008. Your email clearly illustrates the event from your point of view and I appreciate the detail in which it was written.
The Library sets rules for the safety and enjoyment of all that utilize our facilities and I would grant you that some of the rules of conduct may not seem to make a lot of sense to those who get caught up in a violation they clearly did not intend to commit or committed unknowingly.
In regards to the shoes the rules of conduct indicate that one would be in violation of the ROC for “Entering or being in the Library barefoot, without a shirt, with offensive body odor or personal hygiene or being otherwise attired so as to be disruptive to the Library environment.”
Taking you at your word in the account of the events it seems as though you may have been treated to the letter of the rule rather than the spirit of the rule, and while I support both interpretations, I when given the chance, always prefer to take the spirit of the rule approach. Others however, to avoid the appearance of inequity, will take the letter of the rule approach. Again, neither approach is in error.
Given this, even I however, would view the taking off of one’s shoes as a violation of the rule and the fact that a person has socks on vs. no socks would be a matter of semantics.
My conclusion in this matter does not lessen in anyway the importance of the points you raise. The Library periodically reviews its rules of conduct to ensure they are portraying the intent of the rule in question. Your email and the examples you raised will be used in this process when considering this particular rule.
Again, I thank you for your email, your illustrative examples, and your continued patronage of the Library.
Should you have any other questions or information in this matter please feel free to contact me at joe.fithian@spl.org or 206 386 4128
Joe Fithian
Security Manager
Seattle Public Library
This is my reply
RE: Email of 11/6/08Thursday, November 13, 2008 2:07 PMView contact details To: “Joe Fithian” Cc: Dan.Baer@spl.org, “Julie Ann Oiye” , “Lois Fenker” Good Afternoon
From: “Chris Goh”
Thanks for the “battue” analogy.
Regards,
Chris
Founder
http://www.BullShitWebsites.com
body odor is nasty that is why i always take a bath twice a day.:’.