1/14
Today in the #library : A Disturbing Phone Call
It was lunch and a busy time when I answered the phone. The caller ID let me know it was an outside line and I assumed it was a parent calling about some issue with a student's library record. (I'm still sending notices to recent grads about books.)
It was lunch and a busy time when I answered the phone. The caller ID let me know it was an outside line and I assumed it was a parent calling about some issue with a student's library record. (I'm still sending notices to recent grads about books.)
05:55 PM - Jun 13, 2023
2/14
The caller started out saying, "I have a meeting with the superintendent later this week and I want to be sure I have all my ducks in a row..."
I said, "Let me stop you because I think you may have called the wrong number. This is a high school library."
I said, "Let me stop you because I think you may have called the wrong number. This is a high school library."
06:07 PM - Jun 13, 2023
3/14
She said, "Oh no. I have the right number. I want to come to your library later today to see if you have certain books."
At this moment, I had a bad feeling but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. I said, "I'm not sure how I can help you get ready for a meeting with the Superintendent ...
At this moment, I had a bad feeling but I didn't want to jump to conclusions. I said, "I'm not sure how I can help you get ready for a meeting with the Superintendent ...
06:10 PM - Jun 13, 2023
4/14
... I'm sorry, but can you tell me who you are again?"
(There was a chance that this was a Mom perhaps looking for some books for her child to read over the summer...)
but then she answered:
"I'm a citizen."
(There was a chance that this was a Mom perhaps looking for some books for her child to read over the summer...)
but then she answered:
"I'm a citizen."
06:13 PM - Jun 13, 2023
5/14
THAT felt like a clue, since she didn't say she was a parent, which is usually how callers identify themselves when they are calling about an issue with their child's Library account.
I was not comfortable with the prospect of a "citizen" showing up in the library.
I was not comfortable with the prospect of a "citizen" showing up in the library.
06:16 PM - Jun 13, 2023
6/14
I said, "I have my computer right here. Why don't you tell me the titles you're looking for and I will see if we have them."
Her tone changed. She was annoyed.
"I don't have the list right here in front of me."
I said nothing. Then she added:
Her tone changed. She was annoyed.
"I don't have the list right here in front of me."
I said nothing. Then she added:
06:17 PM - Jun 13, 2023
7/14
"Well, I suppose if you have this first title, you have all of them."
"What's the first title?" I said.
She answered: "The book is called 'Gender Queer'."
"Oh, is this about a contention?" I said, taking my hands off the keyboard.
"Yes," she said.
"What's the first title?" I said.
She answered: "The book is called 'Gender Queer'."
"Oh, is this about a contention?" I said, taking my hands off the keyboard.
"Yes," she said.
06:20 PM - Jun 13, 2023
(Edited)
8/14
"At this point I am going to refer you to our Principal," I said. "Would you like me to transfer you?"
She said, "Oh, well then I will just tell the superintendent that you refused to help me."
"No," I said. "I am following protocol.
It's not my place to field your questions."
She said, "Oh, well then I will just tell the superintendent that you refused to help me."
"No," I said. "I am following protocol.
It's not my place to field your questions."
06:24 PM - Jun 13, 2023
9/14
"Ok. I will tell the superintendent," she said.
"So you don't want to be transferred to the Principal then?" I said. "Ok. Good-bye," and I hung up.
I informed the Principal and my district librarian. A little later, I got a phone call from my contemporary at another high #SchoolLibrary .
"So you don't want to be transferred to the Principal then?" I said. "Ok. Good-bye," and I hung up.
I informed the Principal and my district librarian. A little later, I got a phone call from my contemporary at another high #SchoolLibrary .
06:27 PM - Jun 13, 2023
10/14
Unlike me, Lydia decided to dig deeper.
"Do you have a student at my high school?
No? Then why do you want to know what books we have? Do you have a student in this District?
Yes? What school?"
The woman is listed as the 2nd parent/guardian of a student in my building. Both names are female.
"Do you have a student at my high school?
No? Then why do you want to know what books we have? Do you have a student in this District?
Yes? What school?"
The woman is listed as the 2nd parent/guardian of a student in my building. Both names are female.
06:31 PM - Jun 13, 2023
11/14
A quick facebook search of the "1st parent" yielded a woman standing with the boy who matched the picture of the student in my school records. She's listed as single.
Maybe my caller is the grandmother of the student, or the sister of the actual parent. The boy's mother may not know about the call.
Maybe my caller is the grandmother of the student, or the sister of the actual parent. The boy's mother may not know about the call.
06:36 PM - Jun 13, 2023
12/14
The Principal shared my account of the phone call with the Superintendent. He may already know what he's getting into with that meeting. I'm grateful that I work in a District with a written policy of inclusion and acceptance.
"We're on it," my librarian assured me. I trust that they are.
"We're on it," my librarian assured me. I trust that they are.
06:38 PM - Jun 13, 2023
13/14
What I know for sure is that I felt terrorized by the righteousness of this woman's decision to call me today. I'm now on the front lines.
It's not enough that I have supported every student in my sphere for 20+ years to access information, and to read fiction where they feel represented.
It's not enough that I have supported every student in my sphere for 20+ years to access information, and to read fiction where they feel represented.
06:42 PM - Jun 13, 2023
14/14
When my counterpart asked why she didn't call the school that her student attends, the caller said, "I did call. The librarian was rude. She refused to help me."
I was not rude, but I was clear. And I am determined, now more than ever, to stand up to the ignorance and hate that's at my door.
I was not rude, but I was clear. And I am determined, now more than ever, to stand up to the ignorance and hate that's at my door.
06:48 PM - Jun 13, 2023
(Edited)
In response to Pamela B'well.
Just another voice letting you know that you are appreciated and supported. Thank you for what you have done, and for publicizing what is going on.
04:52 AM - Jun 14, 2023
In response to Bill Winett.
I had an aunt and uncle, both librarians. I frequently think of them these days, though they have passed on. They would be horrified to see these things going on. So on their behalf and the behalf of all book-loving people, I support you!
04:56 AM - Jun 14, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
I'm so sorry you had/have to deal with this. Just know that the overwhelming majority support you and appreciate all your efforts on behalf of readers everywhere. This retired middle school English teacher sends hugs.
10:22 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Susan Simon.
I’ll gladly accept those hugs, and I so appreciate the show of support here. I was just trying to process. This shook me up today.
10:45 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
Sounds like you did a great job in fielding that call, but I'm sorry you had to do it. Thank you for your work!
10:13 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Lisa P..
Thank you so much. After talking to the other library, and I wondered if I should’ve done more. I could not wait to get off the phone and away from her ignorance.
10:23 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
Sounds like you handled yourself (and the sociopath) perfectly. Good job! I doubt I could have used as much tact and self-restraint in dealing with a right-wing-nut-job.
10:02 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to JC_🇺🇸.
Believe me, it was a struggle to try to stay composed. The fact that she later said I was rude, tells me a little bit of my message got through.
10:24 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Steven McDermott.
Few things worse than a bully.
Ultimately, they are weak and pathetic.
Ultimately, they are weak and pathetic.
10:25 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
You handled that pretty well considering there is no training for this stuff. I’m not sure if there is any viable way to stop those calls, but hopefully the Superintendent will have support at the next School Committee public session. If you can, let us know what happens.
09:58 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to John Haakenson.
You’re right, there is no training but I have all my years supporting students’ right to learn, and my intelligence, unlike that woman, who just jumped on a bandwagon.
I hope I get an update. I will share if I do. It would be nice to hear from the superintendent, or at least the principal.
I hope I get an update. I will share if I do. It would be nice to hear from the superintendent, or at least the principal.
10:28 PM - Jun 13, 2023
(Edited)
In response to Pamela B'well.
I am sorry you had such a disturbing phone call, you handled it perfectly. I support librarians, they were the most important person to me when I was in school, the keeper of the books, that most precious resource for learning and pleasure. That this is happing all over is reprehensible.
09:41 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Carla Reid + Chilla.
I too so appreciated the librarians in my childhood. I really love my job.
10:50 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
If you’d asked me as a child to list scary places where you might feel threatened the library would have been the nowhere near that list. No one became a librarian thinking that defending themselves & their students.
09:36 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Linda in TN ACTIVE Resister.
I can’t believe what’s happening. And I live in a Blue State and in a decidedly Blue part of the state.
I can’t imagine how bad it must me for those in other parts of the country. But there are kids EVERYWHERE who need us to be strong.
I can’t imagine how bad it must me for those in other parts of the country. But there are kids EVERYWHERE who need us to be strong.
10:54 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
I wish you were the librarian of the school in my county. Your school is fortunate to have you.
09:16 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
🧵❤️ learning? ❤️📚? ❤️democracy?we gotta ❤️ and support Librarians. Thank you 🙏🏼
09:13 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to NorthCoast TerryMerryJoan.
I’m feeling some love right now. Pretty overwhelmed by it. 🙋🏻♀️
10:56 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
What a sad day for America when Librarians are on the "frontlines" to protect our Democracy and our fundamental liberties from those who are so frightened that they want to take the joy of learning and opening a book from kids.
Thank you for all you do!
Thank you for all you do!
09:12 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Ramsey, Queen of Popcorn®.
I know I could have knocked that fool off her high horse in about two sentences. She’s lucky I value my employment.
10:57 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
Librarians have been my heroes since I was a child. Thank you for all that you are doing.
09:10 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
@PamelaB_well You done good girl! You should be especially proud of yourself for being a protector at your school. You should have ice cream 🍦
09:07 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Claudia Citro.
Thank you so much, Claudia.
🥺I think I’m going to cry now,
from frustration and relief and gratitude.🥹
🥺I think I’m going to cry now,
from frustration and relief and gratitude.🥹
11:00 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
This spout was removed because the account associated with it was suspended.
08:48 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Myles Higgins ?.
I share your sentiment Myles, but with all due respect, we are NOT removed from this in Canada.
I live on Vancouver Island and we are facing waves of anti-Trans sentiment like this in schools, libraries and community centres.
The incident in this article happened on Kelowna, BC earlier this week.
I live on Vancouver Island and we are facing waves of anti-Trans sentiment like this in schools, libraries and community centres.
The incident in this article happened on Kelowna, BC earlier this week.
09:09 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
This spout was removed because the account associated with it was suspended.
08:38 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
Pam you did good.
You held firm, followed policy and most of all stood your ground in protecting your students.
We need more of this every day.
Be proud
You held firm, followed policy and most of all stood your ground in protecting your students.
We need more of this every day.
Be proud
08:20 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
It sounds like every step you took was the right one.
08:19 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Pamela B'well.
I'm sorry that you have to endure this. Thank you for doing so. I hope things get better.
08:16 PM - Jun 13, 2023
In response to Klobby L.
I don’t think we intend to succumb to these fools.
Ignorance is not going to destroy libraries.
Anywhere that libraries have been forced to step back, I believe, are moments for gaining strength.
Ignorance is not going to destroy libraries.
Anywhere that libraries have been forced to step back, I believe, are moments for gaining strength.
12:16 AM - Jun 14, 2023
