The Studying Silver Surfer

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., Jasper Place Public Library Terminal #VI, Edmonton, Alberta

December XIth, MMX

Hon. David G. Hancock, QC, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud

Dear David:

There is quite the row going on in here at this JP Branch Library. A real brouhaha in fact. An older gentleman who is taking a senior's course got into a vicious battle just now with a teenage girl, about XV (15) years old demanding that he give up his time. I got the library personnel involved & the Police are coming into talk to the girl & the gentleman. I told the gent not to worry, that he should do what the EPL Pamphlet about Computer Use says: "Surf Safely On The Internet."

It is my belief David that students & library users of all ages should learn II be respectful of 1 another. This teenage girl had a bank of VIII (8) other computer stations II choose from, why not (if she has used up her hour or if she has no library card) get the library staff II issue her a 1 time, 1 hour temporary card & access code? The temp. card affords her the same & equal rights as the old gent, & all other users, plus she wouldn't wind up having almost come II fisticuffs with him. I mean this senior patron was scared IV his safety, hell, I was scared IV his safety. Nobody using the library should have II feel unsafe when surfing the net, doing general studies, or just reading IV leisure in any branch.

To Me: My Board,
Rory

Source: Www.Epl.Ca.