There was an article in yesterday’s Columbus Dispatch, Story-time hero at Whetstone library retires after 3,000 readings. The long-time story-time librarian (and assistant manager) at the Whetstone branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Sam Pathy, is retiring today.
And you’ll never guess what was in the cover photo.
Well actually, I know my readers. Of course you’ll guess what was in the photo. Here it is:
[Caption from the story. Photo credit: Tom Dodge of the Dispatch.]
Don’t forget. This is the Whetstone branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The library that has a shoe rule and kicked me out multiple times. The library that I sued that claimed that they really needed their shoe rule because of all the hazards, like feces and sperm and urine, on their floors.
After all, just think of the children!
And then, the courts upheld that shoe rule because of all those hazards.
Funny, they don’t seem to really believe all their claims, do they?
But it’s more than just this one small child they are putting in danger. A video accompanied the story. Here’s a screenshot from that video.
I’m sure you’ll easily spot the mother on the left who has removed her shoes. When I removed my sandals while sitting in a chair at the Columbus Library, they sent a guard over to tell me to put them back on.
But wait, there’s more!
Here’s a screenshot of a little circle dance they did:
Spot the little barefoot girl on the lower right and the little barefoot boy on the far-left middle. [Click on the picture for a larger version.]
And here is one more screenshot:
In this one we can see that there is another mother who is sitting there barefoot (right in the middle of the picture with her feet sticking out towards us).
So, in this one story-time, we have 2 mothers who are barefoot while sitting on the floor, and 3 different little kids running around barefoot.
If that floor is so dangerous with all those “hazards”, why are they allowing people to sit on it? Why are they allowing the adults to be barefoot? Why are they allowing those kids (think of the children!) to run around on it?
Of course we know the answer. The library’s excuse was mere pretext, and that’s why I lost my lawsuit. They just thought it was inappropriate for an adult to walk around a public place barefoot. Except . . . except for all the exceptions whenever they feel like it.
It is to laugh (because that’s all that’s left to me).
I wonder what’s the chance of suing the library for endangering the patrons in such an inexcusable way? The testimony about sperm and urine on the floor is probably readily available to a plaintiff.
Go freakin’ figure! You should send a link to the director of this write-up. -TJ
I thought about it, but I know (from past experience) he wouldn’t give a damn. Normally, he might even issue a memo to staff, but in this case the guy is retiring. The thing is, I bet this is fairly normal (particularly at the branch libraries).
Similarly, once the Ohio Statehouse initiated their ban, I suspect it made not one whit of difference for the weddings that they hold there. (Because we know that women take off their fancy, but hurting, heels.)
Shared at the BRS! -TJ