LIBRARY BECOMES REFUGE OF LAST RESORT

OLYMPIA -- An increasing problem with transients exhibiting disruptive
and criminal behavior in the Olympia Timberland Regional Library has
prompted a meeting between librarians and police.

During the past few months, librarians have noticed a higher number of
aggressive and belligerent patrons causing trouble. They've had to
call police about vandalism, people using drugs in the bathroom, and
people acting in a threatening manner toward library staff.

"We have seen an increase in the number of incidents involving
disruptive patrons. Even though the library is a public place and
everybody is welcome, we don't tolerate disruptive or illegal
activity," said Susan Hanson, communications director for the
Timberland Regional Library system.

One man recently was arrested for assaulting a staff member after she
asked him to leave because he was talking loudly to himself and
marking up books. A week later, a transient man was arrested after
someone saw him using heroin in the bathroom. When officers confronted
him, he still had the used syringe in his pocket, police reports say.

Since late September, police have been called 40 times to the library,
sometimes as many as two or three times in one day.

Librarians, police and homeless advocates say the situation is part of
the overall lack of services for downtown Olympia's homeless population.

On any given day, homeless or transient people flock to the library
because its doors are open to the public and they can sit and read
while waiting for shelters to open later in the day.

As the weather gets colder, more homeless people gather at the library
to escape the elements. It also comes in handy because they can use
the bathrooms, or the library's computers or newspapers to search
through job advertisements.

"It's one of those places folks can go indoors and actually have
something to do there," said Rob Richards, office manager for the
Bread & Roses homeless advocacy center in downtown. "It's very
popular, mostly because they don't have a drop-in center and they
don't have a place to hang out when the shelters are closed."

Library employees say they report any problems to police immediately
and have a good relationship with officers. They have scheduled a
meeting with Olympia police Chief Gary Michel for next week to discuss
options for handling the problems.

Access vs. protection

Finding solutions to the problem will require balancing access to the
library for everyone with protecting the safety of patrons and
employees, library officials say.

Librarians don't want to make anyone feel like they're not welcome,
whether they're homeless or not.

They say as long as everyone follows the rules, no one will be asked
to leave.

"I don't want to make it sound like the library is an unfriendly place
to be for the general public or the homeless," said Jackie Marquadt,
youth services librarian. "We want this to be a comfortable place for
everyone."

Marquadt, who has worked at the library for six years, said she
doesn't think the library is unsafe and she attributes most of the
problems to a few individuals who are part of the homeless population.

"It's a small handful. When police identify them and sometimes arrest
them, then it stops," she said.

But problems do accompany some of those who come in, especially if
they're struggling with untreated mental disorders or drug addiction.

As Marquadt talked to a reporter last Wednesday, a man set off the
security alarms as he exited through the front door and ran from
employees who followed.

Marquadt said he probably took a copy of the classified ads, which
happens from time to time.

Patrons' views

Hanson, the Timberland spokeswoman, said the library has not fielded
an increase in complaints from patrons.

Diana Escalera, of Olympia, said she comes to the library once a week
to use the reference books. At her church, Centro de Vida y Esperanza
in Olympia, she translates her pastor's sermons into Spanish and she
occasionally needs to look up words.

"I do notice all sorts of people coming in here," she said. "They
don't bother me. I don't feel threatened. I feel pretty safe."

Leo Schwartz, 19, of Lacey, said he was at the library a few weeks ago
when police had to escort a homeless person out who had become
belligerent when employees tried to wake him up.

"In a couple of months, that's the only disturbance I ever noticed,"
he said.

In some cases, police have been called to clear out transients who
were camped in the alcoves when the library opens in the morning. Some
situations have been minor offenses such as drinking on the premises.

But in some cases, library staff members have been assaulted or
library property has been stolen or vandalized.

Olympia police Officer Cori Schumacher, who is on the downtown walking
patrol and responds to calls at the library, said the issue isn't new.

She said she's heard that some parents have felt uneasy about leaving
their children at the library.

"Since I've been here, and I've been here for six years, it's been an
issue," she said.

She thinks the recent encounters with more aggressive behavior are
finally trying staff members' patience.

"They've all been very patient people and all been very kind and for
them to come to the end of their ropes -- it's been a long time
coming," she said.

Schumacher said police could issue orders that bar people from the
property for periods of time from 30 days to a year. Labeling frequent
troublemakers as trespassers is an option the library has.

Hanson, of the library system, said the trick will be finding ways to
handle the issue without making people feel unwelcome.

"We want to respect people's rights to gather in a public place and to
come in and use the library resources," she said.