Overly Expressive Students Force Library Table Ban
NEIRAD enilno edition
One of the nicer amenities the Darien High School Library offers students is an array of areas in which to relax, concentrate on their work, or just socialize with their friends. There are the computers, the silent section, and three different table sections. One of the table sections had become a victim of vandalism as students had engraved names, sayings, and elaborate charts (such as all the nicknames of senior Zach Bognar) all over the tables behind the cubbies. It became such a major problem that in the first week of May the librarians decided to take control of the section by closing the area to all students until they were able to show they were responsible with school property.
One table in particular was thoroughly covered with markings and engravings. The librarians decided it needed to be repaired and senior James Shanley offered to clean and resurface the table for them down in the Tech Ed rooms, sanding the engravings off the table. Unfortunately, the very day the table came back someonenscribed in the table, ‘New Table’ and the librarians closed the section to all students for this one student’s actions.
Neirad asked James how he felt that all his work was disgraced that first day and he responded, “I have put my heart and soul into every table I have fixed,” and he had a warning for anyone else who messes with “his” tables: “If you touch my table I’ll break your face.” While James’ threat was delivered with a sense of humor, his frustration over this vandalism is understandable.
Head librarian Mrs. Jackie Bennett explained why the section was shut down, “The section is closed because the tables were being defaced right after they were fixed. We closed it down to send a message to students that vandalizing school property has to stop.” If students ever want this beloved section of the library to reopen, the writing on the tables must cease.
Mrs. Sandra Timmons, a favorite librarian, said, “I understand the students want to leave their mark, but they must respect school property.”
Many students Neirad talked to thoroughly enjoyed the messages left on the tables. Senior Emma Getsinger said, “I didn’t like when the tables were closed because I thought they added such great character to the library and it wasentertaining to read what people had written even though the vandalism is not okay.”
However, to much surprise, the tables were reopened as they were returned to the library after being refurbished. However, the vandalism has not let up; according to Mrs. Bennett, “the table in the back corner has more scribblings than it did two weeks ago.”
“The librarians have been patrolling the table areas and may be installing cameras,” Mrs. Bennet said. She called the defacing “very sad.”
The librarians’ trust in the students now is at an all time low; hence they will be policing the table area for vandals. Students need to be able to have the self-control to not draw on school property and slowly regain the staff’s respect by proving that they can exercise self-control and not “tag” the library tables. It is completely unacceptable for student’s to be treating the school’s property in this disgraceful manner and should stop as soon as possible.
