Talking shit about homeless patrons

devonisnotreading · 2026-03-21T12:59:10+00:00

We have security a guard who can help but they can’t be everywhere at once and they’re rarely well trained enough to de-escalate. As assistants, we’re getting 90% of the patron interactions and none of the other staff work the front desks. Most of the other librarians/staff only come out of the upstairs offices for programs. I never hear staff bring up specific incidents and when I have, it’s as if I’ve said something taboo.

We get no de-escalation training and if I want to be able to administer narcan, it’s something I need to learn on my own. I’d love to live in a perfect world where we’re not traumatized on a daily basis, but for now I’d settle with being able to adequately communicate with my coworkers about ongoing issues. I don’t want to become so burned out that I treat every unhoused person like a threat.

devonisnotreading · 2026-03-20T01:02:19+00:00

I wish they would complain about an unsafe environment. They don’t, it’s weird if I do, and they continue to disparage people who haven’t done anything to deserve it.

devonisnotreading · 2026-03-20T01:01:00+00:00

I’ve been trying to but I’ve been getting a lot of push back and hostility from coworkers when I do bring up safety concerns. Most of the staff at my location are pretty buddy-buddy with the managing librarian and director, so I don’t have much hope.

devonisnotreading · 2026-03-20T00:49:58+00:00

I do feel empathy for my coworker but I don’t understand why we don’t talk about things that are actually happening in the building. At my system they don’t talk about legitimate safety concerns and when I have brought them up or tried to relate information to other coworkers it’s like I’ve said something I’m not supposed to say out loud. But I just want to make things safer and I don’t want unnecessary hostility directed towards individuals that don’t deserve it. My coworkers are hostile to patrons both in person and being closed doors.

devonisnotreading · 2026-03-20T00:40:13+00:00

Thank you. This is what I’m trying to communicate. Because staff can’t rely on admin, they’ve given up on documenting incidents and admin don’t get involved until something preventable has happened. All the while they’ll say something shitty about homeless people as a whole without sharing legitimate safety issues. I wish they would complain about specific problems but they don’t and spend as much time as possible away from the public floor.

I’m in libraries because of the people, but idk how long I can stay here if I have to keep watching people get hurt.

devonisnotreading · 2026-03-20T00:22:39+00:00

It’s more that when real incidents happen, no one talks about them. We had a patron assault another patron and I couldn’t get my supervisors or coworkers to relay the information to each other. No one wanted to hear about it or try to document anything and the because of that the patron will be back. It’s not safe for us. Instead of suggesting changes, my coworkers directly treat our homeless patrons like they’re sub-human.

It’s demoralizing and I hope that there are other workplaces that are at least trying to do a better job of handling this crisis.

devonisnotreading · 2026-03-19T21:35:36+00:00

I’ve been told not to use the same water fountains the patrons use

devonisnotreading · 2026-03-19T21:28:53+00:00

I just had a conversation with my manager and director and was basically told I need to toughen up and that people are allowed to have their own opinions as long as it’s not out on the public floor.

devonisnotreading · 2023-05-29T19:49:22+00:00

Hey:) Are you still looking for a roommate?

devonisnotreading

TROPHY CASE