OAK LAWN PUBLIC LIBRARY
INSERVICE MEETING
AUGUST 20, 1993
AGENDA
8:30
a.m.
Coffee, juice, donuts and bagels
9:15
a.m.
Stress Management Workshop
Leonard Scymczak, Family and Mental Health
Services Southwest
10:30 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.
Sensitivity to the Disabled Presentation
Monticello Americana Health Center Staff and
Patient
Coordinated by Denise Clement, Rehabilitation
Director
Noon
Lunch
1:00
p.m.
Personal Security
Film/Q and A
Officer Tom Mica, Oak Lawn Police Department
1:30 p.m.
Selected Emergency Procedures
Review and discussion
2:15
p.m.
Staff Association Presentation/Election
3:00
p.m.
Surprise Break
3:30
p.m.
Wrap-up Session
Review/Announcements/Evaluations
4:00 p.m.
Adjournment
Committee Members:
Vada Szurgot, Jamy Akin, Tina Stanton, Shari
Schiffman, Jan Goetz, Rocci Padula, Mary Nelson
(chair)
STAFF INSERVICE DAY
AUGUST 20, 1993
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The Inservice Committee reported that many staff members were
interested in reviewing and/or discussing specific portions of the
library's emergency procedures.
These included armed robbery,
handicapped parking spaces, suspicious observers, exhibitionists,
unattended and lost or missing children, bomb threats, fire
procedures, floods in the building, elevator; power shutdown,
failure or brownout; storms and accidents.
Following the afternoon Q and A security session with a
representative of the police department, we will look at as much of
the selected portions of the procedure as time allows. our recent
experiences with power losses, storms and floods plus the
reorganization moves seem to have stimulated new thinking about
emergencies.
Excerpts from the Emergency Procedures Manual are attached.
such instances, the patron should be approached pleasantly and the
problem should be corrected. The most common way of proving intent
to steal is by showing that the suspect concealed the item. However.
simply because an item is not visible to the eye does not legally
mean that it has been concealed. To prove intent to steal by
concealment, the item must be carried in a place or manner in which
it would not ordinarily be carried. A patron attempting to exit the
Library with a briefcase containing materials which have not been
checked out, has not legally concealed the materials since that is
where books might normally be carried . The patron could claim that
they were inadvertently scooped up with other materials.
On the other hand, if a patron is attempting to exit the Library with
materials under his clothing or covertly wrapped in something,
concealment can be used to prove intent to steal since library
materials are not usually carried in this manner. If it is
determined that a patron has willfully tried to violate the law and
both "possession" and "intent to steal" seem clearly evident or
provable, you should tell the suspect that unless he surrenders the
concealed library property, the police will be called. Only if the
material is not handed over should the police be called.
If the suspect tries to leave, you should be careful not to risk
personal injury by attempting to physically detain the individual.
However, many times, an authoritarian tone of voice and manner may
convince a patron to remain or hand over the library materials. If
the patron leaves before the police arrive, give the police his name
(if known) or a general description. Although the Library will
probably be willing to prosecute in a serious case, such an action
should never be taken without first discussing the matter with the
Library Director .
AmmD ROBBERY
If you are confronted by an individual armed with a weapon demanding
money, you are not to resist. Give the individual any money at the
register at which you are working. After the individual has left the
Library, notify the police of the incident and file an Incident
Report with the Administrative Department.
HANDICAPPED PABXING SPACES
If an individual who is not handicapped is parking in spaces
designated for the handicapped, the police should be called and asked
to ticket the car. When there are administrative staff on duty, they
will call. If not, the Library Person-in-Charge will call.
SUSPICIOUS OBSERVERS
Suspicious observers are people who are excessively watching or
following a staff member or patron. Be careful not to misinterpret
the actions of a person who is just a "people-watcher".
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When this occurs, obtain a general description of the offender. Note
height, coloring, age, general build and clothing. If the situation
seems serious or patrons are aware of the offender, the Department
Person-in-Charge should be alerted and the Guard requested to warn
the individual that the behavior is offensive and disturbing a staff
member or patron. If you must leave the area to find the Library
Person-in-Charge, alert another staff member to watch the offender.
If the problem persists, the police should be called and an Incident
Report should be filed.
EXHIBITIONISTS
If a patron or staff member observes someone exposing himself or
other similar forms of "indecent exposure", alert the Guard, if on
duty. If not, alert the Library Person-in-Charge. The police should
be notified. Ask the patron to remain to help identify the
offender. Complete and file an Incident Report.
UNArrmmED CHIJ.DBEN
All children age six years or younger must be attended and adequately
supervised by a responsible person, e.g. an adult or a mature
adolescent. Persons responsible for children who have special
problems related to physical or mental ability, or who have emotional
problems, lack of adequate attention span, incomplete social skills,
or act disrespectively, etc. must remain with the children at all
times.
i
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Children from the age of seven years and older may use the Library
unattended subject to other Library policies.
Children are encouraged to use the Library, but it is not to be used
as a babysitting service. Any child unaccompanied by an adult for an
extended period time may be approached for information concerning his
parents availability. The parents may be notified of Library
policy. If the situation continues, it may be considered child
neglect and proper authorities may be notified.
Children unattended at closing time are encouraged to wait on the
Raymond Avenue side as it is across from the Police station. If
children are extremely young, they may be escorted to the Police
Department by the Guard or a staff member to wait there. Under no
circumstances should a staff member drive a child home. (See also
Policy on Unattended Children.)
LOST OR KISSING CHILDREN
A child who has been separated from his parent(s) should be kept
calm. You should ask for a description of the parent's clothing and
walk with the child through the Library looking for the parent. If
parent is not located in a reasonable time, return the child to the
Youth Services Department and use the "all-call voice page" feature
on the telephone to aid in your further search.
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If a child is missing, obtain a description from the parent. One
staff member will search the building. You may offer to notify the
Guard on duty or the Police Department. You may offer to place one
phone call to contact a family member or friend. One staff member
will be assigned to calm the distressed person until the police
arrive. It is the responsibility of the parents and the Police
Department to continue further investigation.
BOMB THHF.ATS
If a bomb threat call is received, follow these procedures:
1.
Keep the caller on the line as long as possible. Ask the caller
to repeat the message. Try to write down every word spoken by
the person.
2.
If the caller does not indicate the location of the bomb or the
time of possible detonation, ASK FOR THIS INFORMATION.
3.
Inform the caller that the building is occupied and the
detonation of a bomb could result in death or serious injury to
many innocent people.
4.
Pay special attention to peculiar background noises such as
motors running, background music and any other noises which may
give a clue as to where the call is being made.
5.
Listen closely to the voice (male, female), voice quality (calm,
excited), accents and speech impediments.
6.
Immediately after the caller hangs up, inform the Library
• Person-in-Charge will telephone
Person-in-Charge. The Library
the police. Since the police will want to talk first-hand with
the person who received the call, remain available (either in
person or by telephone) until they arrive.
7.
Notify the Director, if possible.
8.
The Library Person-in-Charge should make the decision to
evacuate the Library unless there is a strong reason to believe
it is a hoax.
9.
Fill out an Incident Report and turn in to the Administration
Office.
SLEEPING IN THE LIBRARY
Although sleeping in the Library is not encouraged, library users who
sleep should be left alone. The patron should be awakened only if he
is disturbing others.
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EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
1.
In case of fire, call the Fire Department at 911.
STAY CALM!!!
2.
Notify Maintenance and Administration.
3.
Evacuate the building when so directed by the Fire Department
using the diagrams at the desk. DO NOT USE ELEVATOR!
4.
If fire is small and containable; use fire extinguishers (see
building diagrams for locations). There are three kinds of fire
extinguishers. The thin nozzle red ones are multi-purpose and
can be used on any type of fire. (This kind is only located in
the garage.) The red ones with the large nozzles are filled with
foam and are to be used only for electrical and chemical fires.
The silver extinguishers are filled with water and are to be used
for paper fires.
INSTRUCTIONS TO USE:
A.
Pull pin.
B.
Hold extinguishers upright.
C.
Aim nozzle at the base of the fire.
D.
Use side to side motion.
5.
If a fire is found in a room, close the door to that room before
leaving the area.
6.
Do not try to save anything but yourself.
7.
If time permits, the Guard and/or maintenance staff on duty
should make one last check to see that the building is empty.
FLOODS OR LRAXS IN THE BUILDING~
l.
Notify Maintenance as soon as possible.
2.
If any water is spotted in the building., take buckets and pans
from the garage and place them under the leaks. If possible,
move books or other materials that might get wet. Cover shelving
with newspaper or plastic if available.
ELEVATOR
When someone is stuck in the elevator, call a maintenance staff
member, a Guard or the Fire Department. Do not attempt to use the key
to open the door.
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,'
POWER SHUTDOWN
1.
When the electricity goes out, the emergency power lighting will
automatically be activated . Flashlights are located at all
service desks.
2.
If elevator is occupied when the electricity goes out, an
emergency light in the elevator car will go on automatically.
There is an emergency door key at the Circulation desk. The key
looks like an Allen wrench and when inserted allows you to
manually open the elevator doors. Call a maintenance staff
member, a Guard or the Fire Department to do this. Do not
attempt to use the key yourself.
POWER Pill.UBE OR BROWHOOT
In daylight, the Library will remain open although all materials will
have to be manually checked out. Certain parts of the building may be
too dark to function. Do what is reasonable to maintain service.
In darkness, during a power failure, the Library's emergency lights
will provide enough light to clear the building. The building does
not have to be evacuated immediately. The Library Person-in-Charge
will determine by contacting either the police, the Village or the
power company if this will be a brief power outage. If so, continue a
reasonable level of service. If not, the Library Person-in-Charge
will decide if the Library should be emptied of patrons and closed for
service. Every attempt should be made to contact the Library Director
or Assistant Director before the building is ever closed. When such a
power failure occurs, an Incident Report should be completed and
filed.
The telephone system is electrical and you cannot use it when the
power goes out. There is a special phone in the Receptionist's area
that can be plugged into the Power Failure Jack which you can then use
to make outside calls. This phone is a single line instrument and it
only works when plugged into the Power Failure Jack.
1.
The Fire Department Tornado siren warns all staff and patrons to
take shelter in the lower level. Meeting Room Bis the
designated place to take shelter.
2.
If the lights are out, guide patrons down the stairs using
flashlights. Do not let anyone on the elevator in case the power
should shut down while occupied. If the elevator is occupied
when the electricity goes out, there is an emergency door key at
the Circulation Desk. There is an emergency light in the
elevator car that will go on automatically.
3.
One person should guard the Cook Avenue entrance to see that
persons are directed to the proper location. If a Guard is on
duty, he would be the person to see that all patrons are out of
the first and second floors. If a Guard is not on duty, the
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''
Library Person-in-Charge would be responsible for evacuating
people from the first and second floors. If time permits, open
doors and windows on the north and east sides.
4.
The Fire Department does NOT sound an all-clear siren. After the
siren sounds, listen to the weather alert radio which is located
the Reception Office for status of the tornado. If you have no
communication, the National Weather Service recommends a waiting
period of one hour to be on the safe side.
5.
Weather Bureau Bulletins are classified as follows:
A.
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH: The Weather Bureau makes a
distinction between a SEVERE WEATHER WATCH and a TORNADO
WARNING. Some SEVERE WEATHER WATCHES mention only severe
thunderstorms and accompanying weather such as wind or hail,
but one which also mentions tornadoes is intended only as an
alert insofar as tornadoes are likely. Tornadoes usually do
occur somewhere in the area specified by a watch, but most
people in the area will not even see them. The purpose of a
TORNADO WATCH (as distinct from a TORNADO WARNING) is to
advise the public that tornado-type weather exists in order
that people may be on the alert for possible tornadoes. The
exact location of a tornado cannot be forecast.
In severe lightening storms, the use of the telephone should be
avoided.
B.
TORNADO WARNING: This warning signifies that a tornado
actually exists, and requires immediate protective action by
persons along and near its projected path. Some warnings
are more specific as to patch or area than others depending
on the amount of information available to the Weather
Bureau. On occasion, similar warnings may be issued for and
designated as SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS. The Weather
Bureau also issues various types of SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS
such as for heavy snow, ice storms, floods, etc., but these
are usually for larger areas and for longer periods in
advance than in the case of TORNADO WARNINGS.
C.
ALL CLEAR: An ALL CLEAR message may be issued by the
Weather Bureau after a SEVERE WEATHER WATCH or a TORNADO
WARNING or other type WARNINGS. It indicates that the
danger has passed and that normal operations may be
resumed. The danger of tornadoes usually has ended as soon
as the clouds have cleared and the winds shifted to the
east, with the air feeling cooler and dryer.
All Chicago TV and Radio stations cooperate with the Weather
Bureau in the dissemination of severe weather warnings.
D.
WINTER STORMS: The National Weather Service issues Watches
and Warnings for hazardous winter weather events.
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Winter Storm Watch--severe winter weather conditions may affect
your area.
Winter Storm Warning--severe winter weather conditions are
:imminent.
Ice Storm Warning--Significant, possibly damaging, ice
accumulation is expected. Freezing rain (or drizzle) means
precipitation is expected to freeze when it hits exposed
surfaces.
Heavy Snow Warning--A snowfall of at least 4 inches in 12 hours
or 6 inches in 24 hours is expected.
Blizzard Warning--Considerable falling and/or blowing snow and
winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several
hours.
Severe Blizzard Warning--Considerable falling and/or blowing
snow, winds of at least 45 miles per hour and temperatures 10
degrees Farenheit or lower are expected for several hours.
High Wind Warning--Winds of at least 40 miles per hour are
expected for at least 1 hour. (In some areas, this means strong
gusty winds occurring in shorter time periods.)
THE CLOSING OF THE LIBRARY IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR
OR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE LIBRARY. If they cannot be reached
(in person or by telephone), the Library Person-in-Charge has the
authority to make that decision. If the Library should close,
staff members due in on the next shift should be notified at home
so they do not travel to the Library. Post appropriate signs on
all entrances.
I - .
The weather alert radio located in the Reception Office will
sound an alert when severe snow sterns are in the area.
PUBLIC SIIKLTER - vn.LAGX OF Oil. LAWN
If people should call inquiring about public shelter areas, have them
call the Police Department at 422-8292. It has the ability to open
the public shelter area in the Village Hall.
HA.JOR ACCIDENT/ILLNESS
1.
Call 911.
Ask for paramedics.
2.
Do not move the person.
3.
Do not give medication.
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4.
While waiting for the paramedics:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Seek staff trained in CPR
Cover the person if necessary (blanket in Reception Office).
Alert Department Person-in-Charge or Library
Person-in-Charge.
Contact a friend or family member if person desires.
Complete an Accident Report and return it to Administration
Office regardless of whether an injury was involved.
MINOR ACCIDENT/ILLNESS.
1.
First aid kits are available in the Staff Lounge, Reception
Office, Youth Services Desk, Reference Desk, Circulation Desk and
Garage for staff members.
2.
Do not give medication to a member of the public.
3.
Provide a place to lie down.
4.
Alert Department Person-in-Charge or Library Person-in-Charge.
5.
Contact a friend or family member if person desires.
6.
Complete an Accident Report and return it to Administration
Office regardless of whether or not an injury was involved.
TELEPHONE NUMBERS.
Emergency
Paramedics
Police (Fire) non-emergency
Poison Control Center
Electricity (Commonwealth Edison)
Gas (Northern Illinois Gas)
Civil Defense
911
911
422-8292
1-800-942-5969
870-2100
259-9000
636-4400
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Oak Lawn Public Library
staff Inservice Day
August 20, 1993
Evaluation
Please complete this form before you leave today. Your comments and
suggestions are very important to this year's Inservice Committee
and to those who will be planning future inservice programs.
1.
Did you like the program today?
Yes
No
2.
Was it what you expected? .
Yes
No
3.
Which segment of the program did you think was the most
valuable?
Stress Management
_ _Sensitivity to the Disabled
_ _Security
_ _Emergency Measures Discussion
_ _staff Association Presentation/Election
4.
Do you have suggestions for future inservice programs?
5.
Comments relating to this program or inservice programs in
general
~
6.
Would you be willing to serve on the next Inservice Committee?
If so, please give your name to one of the committee members
or sign this form.
Committee members; Vada Szurgot, Jamy Akin, Tina Stanton, Shari
Schiffman, Jan Goetz, Rocci Padula, Mary Nelson (chair)
Signature (optional)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IN SERVICE DAY MEETING 1993
STAFF ASSOCIATION PRESENTATION/ELECTION
APPRECIATION OF EMPLOYEES WITH FIVE YEARS
AND MORE SERVICE AT THE OAK LAWN LIBRARY
FIVE TO NINE YEARS
JUDY MCMAHON
PAT MICK
MARY LYNN MYSZ
ANTHONY PADULA
KATHY SZOTT
LINDA BESBEKOS
TINA STANTON
JAMIE AKIN
CAROL ARNDT
SUSAN BAIRD
KAY GIBSON
LORRAINE GRIVAKIS
PALMA ELMAZI
DEBBIE COCANIG
BARBARA STEFANEK
MARY CZARNOWSKI
TERRY OLIVER
TEN TO FIFTEEN YEARS
CHERYL KOERBER
EVELYN KA.t'TOST
ELAINE MCCLURE
JILL MORRIS
KATHY O'LEARY
MARILYN SCHNYDERS
VADA SZURGOT
JOSEPHINE TRAFFICANTA
PAT SKAU
AL KRUEGER
FIFTEEN YEARS AND UP
DOROTHY ZMICH
NOREEN ANDERSON
BILL GOODFELLOW
LILLIAN MCANINCH
ELLA MINNICH
CATHY PRUCHA
NANCY RENDEK
MANY THANKS TO THE PERSONS LISTED ABOVE AND TO ALL OUR EMPLOYEES WHO HELP TO
MAKE THIS LIBRARY A PLEASANT PLACE TO WORK.
DURING AFTERNOON BREAK THERE ARE CUPID CANDIES ICE CREAM BARS FOR ALL STAFF
MEMBERS COURTESY OF THE STAFF ASSOCIATION. ENJOY!!!!