[Libs-Or] Patrons in abusive relationships

[Emily-Jane Dawson]

Taylor,
I heartily endorse the options that  Sue mentioned.  And I think you're
right that if your patron is over 18, there probably isn't anything that
you can/should do to force intervention onto your patron.  (I mean, so long
as you are not witnessing illegal harmful behavior yourself.)

But I think it's also worth mentioning that the relationship that you have
with your patron can be a powerful thing.  If you are friendly with her,
and if you have regular interactions however brief they may be, you have
created an opening, an invitation of sorts that is rooted in something more
than just your card and your offer to assist her.

She may never take you up on that offer, but it might matter very much to
her that you have made it.  And, if other patrons witnessed you taking this
kind step, they may reach out to you, or to other library staff, for help
when they need it too.

I think that what you have done so far is not actually as modest as it may
seem.  And it is a good reminder to the rest of us that the kindness we
offer our patrons can be very important, even if we never see the fruit
that it bears.




*Emily-Jane Dawson*
*Reference Librarian*
Multnomah County Library
Central Library
Sunday-Thursday
503.988.5728
multcolib.org



*my preferred pronouns: she/her*

On Tue, Feb 7, 2017 at 4:31 PM, Sue Ludington <
Sue_Ludington at co.washington.or.us> wrote:

> Hi Taylor,
>
> This can truly be a disheartening position to be in. I for one definitely
> feel your pain and commend you for reaching out to see how others might
> respond.
>
>
>
> Here in the Law Library, we have a brochure display that includes one for
> the Domestic Violence Resource Center located here in Hillsboro. In
> addition, in our building of 3 county departments (including Housing), we
> regularly post flyers (English and Spanish) advertising the DVRC with phone
> numbers on pull-off tabs in the women’s restroom stalls.
>
>
>
> Might your library have similar brochures? Perhaps you could find a way to
> share it with her?
>
>
>
> If you don’t have brochures, maybe you could inquire at your local DV
> center. From the State’s website [https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/
> ABUSE/DOMESTIC/Pages/index.aspx], I found the WomenSpace organization [
> http://womenspaceinc.org/] located in Eugene. You might contact them to
> see if they have brochures they’d send for your library. Alternatively or
> maybe in addition, you could consider creating a flyer like I describe
> above. I’ve seen similar postings in other public women’s restrooms.
>
>
>
> And while I don’t know that the Lane County Law Library would have
> anything specifically helpful, I’d be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to
> reach out to them as needed. The Law Librarian, Neil Miller, has been in
> the community a while and might know of other contacts or resources. He can
> be reached at (541) 682-4337 or via email at neil.miller at co.lane.or.us.
>
>
>
> Hope this offers a little something that you/the library can do that might
> prove helpful. Thanks for being such a kind and caring human!!! We can’t
> have too many these days. J
>
>
>
> Best,
>
> Sue
>
>
>
> *Sue Ludington*
>
> Assistant Law Librarian
>
> Washington County Law Library
>
> 111 NE Lincoln St., MS #45
>
> Hillsboro, OR 97124
>
>
>
> 503.846.8880 <(503)%20846-8880> | sue_ludington at co.washington.or.us
>
>
>
> *From:* Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] *On
> Behalf Of *Taylor Worley
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 07, 2017 3:50 PM
> *To:* libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> *Subject:* [Libs-Or] Patrons in abusive relationships
>
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
>
>
> I am curious about how people handle suspicions of patrons being in
> abusive relationships. While I have no concrete proof, there is one patron
> in particular I'm very concerned about based on the patterns I observe at
> the library.
>
>
>
> I realize that this person is an adult and that I have very few options,
> but I do try to check on her, ask her how she is doing, and today I gave
> her my card and let her know again "if you every need anything, we're here
> to help".
>
>
>
> I think that is the extent of what I can do, however I'm curious if anyone
> has had experience with patrons in similar situations and what you did/can
> do/didn't do.
>
>
>
> Again, I have no proof, just observations and a very bad gut feeling.
> Thank you!
>
>
>
>
> *Taylor Worley                                                  *Youth
> Services Librarian
>
> Springfield Public Library
>
> 225 5th Street
>
> Springfield, OR 97422
>
> 541.726.2243 <(541)%20726-2243> (direct)
>
> taylorlgkw at gmail.com
>
> tworley at springfield-or.gov
>
> *"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and
> stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -A. A. Milne*
>
>
>
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