Afternoon crowds

The more I think about the New York Times article, the more I am bothered by the solution that the New Jersey library came up with to quell their afternoon crowds. Closing the library or kicking kids out should always be a last resort for behavioral problems and crowd control. The energy that they have after sitting in school all day is a powerful force that can be harnessed in many really productive ways. Just having some basic supplies can help keep them occupied when they aren't on the computers. I have several board games (dealing in words of course) and lots of arts and crafts supplies. Establishing rules and a code of conduct is vital to making these materials work, so I've found that setting a time frame with an understanding that cleaning up is included to be helpful. Yesterday some of my tween girls were bored so I had them cut out pumpkins and leaves from construction paper to decorate my bulletin board. They were occupied and engaged with the activity while at the same time helping me and the library. Then when their work is displayed they have a stake in the space because they have contributed to making it better. It's an easy thing to do and I am lucky to have a group of responsible and respectful kids, but the sense of community that builds with these activities is the most powerful force a librarian can harness. It keeps them coming back and it builds positive relationships and trust between them and the staff as well as with each other. There is never fighting when the arts and crafts supplies are in use.