<<I live in Brooklyn, NY. I am actually afraid to go into my library.
Last year two homeless men got into a fight and one stabbed the other.
The homeless are allowed in the library and there are so many of them in cold weather. I feel for them but they take up most of the comfortable seating and bring all their stuff with them.
Having lived in the suburbs most of my life this was a big change for me. Most people order their books online and pop into the library just to pick them up.
The children's room is so noisy you can't hear yourself think.
It is filled with nannies and caregivers and occasionally a parent. Most talking on their own cell phones while the little ones scream and run around with no supervision.
So, Seattle, you want to trade places?
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Well, the libraries around here are usually a LOT more orderly than that!

But you describe what happens when libraries fail to deal with nuisances. The facility becomes degraded, even dangerous. The people creating nuisances keep coming driving other people away.


I have a measure of sympathy for homeless people who are occupying chairs.

But people who are noisy, threatening or health hazards should be told to shape up or ship out.


Seattle Pioneer