One thing I have been troubling myself over in recent weeks is what to do when I hear things reported to me by teenagers. Some teenagers in my library confide secret, sometimes dangerous things to me and I don't know what my role is as a librarian. There is no policy at my library for this sort of thing and after hearing about that librarian who got fired for reporting on someone who was looking at child porn it makes me a little nervous about saying anything. Librarian arrested
But the question is, what is the role of a librarian in this matter? I want to help these teens but I don't know if suspensing advice or calling someone is crossing the line. Where is the line exactly? I'm not a trained therapist but these kids talk to me like I am one. I know librarians aren't supposed to give legal advice or tax advice; does this extend to relationship and personal advice too?
I believe if a crime has been committed something needs to be done. But should I look for personal information in the library record to report the crime? Is that crossing the line? When does the a person's right of privacy get pushed out of the way for another person's right? A law enforcement officer can't get into someone's home without a warrant, so should I be looking in someone's personal record at all without law enforcement?
One librarian told me that you have to take each situation into separate consideration. That's probably good advice but it still leaves me with many questions.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Crossing the line
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3 comments:
Tough questions. I think the librarian that suggested you take each case separately had it right.
As for rights to privacy and desire to assist: I have always gone with "leave them their privacy and be available to talk and listen until they start mentioning things that involve them being hurt/wanting to be hurt, or involve someone else being/wanting to be hurt."
I had a friend in college who was quite depressed. I was always there for her and always suggested that she go to the counseling office. She never did because of the stigma attached. But the day after I caught her with a handful of pills on her desk and she admitted she had been thinking of taking them, her right to privacy and freedom of choice was supersede in my mind by the need to get and keep her safe. Over her wishes, I told a professor and contacted the counseling office.
Maybe you can approach these situations similarly? I know hard it can be to be supportive and listen to the stresses and trials of a kids life, and be totally powerless to help them.
Good luck with it all.
That's good advice. I appreciate your comment. I'd rather have one of the teens hate me because I said something to someone then respecting their privacy and having them end up hurt.
No problem. I faced this problem often when I worked in daycare. I have had lots of time and chances to think about this issue.
The truth is though, they probably won't end up hating you. The reason they are talking to you is that you are an adult and in their eyes know (nearly) all things and know what to do/what to say to make things better.
If in the end you choose to act by involving someone else, they know that you did so for their benefit. They may not like it, but I doubt they will hate you for it.
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