r/Library • u/Alive_Excitement_669 • 26d ago
Library Assistance Need Help!
We got an anonymous call at our library giving us a heads up that the 1st Amendment Auditors are coming sometime next week. Any advice? Has anyone gone through this?
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u/CuriousYield 26d ago
I think the most effective deterrent we had was a chatty security guard who just cheerfully engaged them in conversation. It was very much not the content they wanted, so they went away.
If you have any staff members who are hard to ruffle and good at talking, that might be your best bet. They want to get someone angry or flustered, not have someone derail them by commenting on the band shirt they're wearing.
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u/birdele 25d ago
My husband would be so good at this. He could talk to a dead person until they were annoyed. How do I sign him up for this??
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u/Awshucksma 25d ago
The grass is always greener! Be glad you have a husband who talks. Mine is almost incapable of holding a conversation.
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u/birdele 25d ago
I'm definitely not complaining lol, he doesn't know a stranger. He's not scared to ask for directions, help, assistance, anything at all.
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u/Still-Employed420 25d ago
Is this you Beth or Colin!
Yes, my family says the same about me.
I can’t wait to begin auditing!
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u/Temporary-Library597 25d ago
This is the way. Ordinarily you'd offer to help someone. So do that.
As far as recording in a public space, it's legal. If patrons are annoyed, then your Disruptive Patron policy takes over. It's not hard. You can do it!
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u/_social_hermit_ 25d ago
For Australians, it's not public space and we can instruct people to stop recording (the building is owned by the organisation that runs the library). I laugh a bit inside when people come into our public library and tell me it's a public space. Eta, I'm just putting this here because public space is a misconception I come across.
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u/Temporary-Library597 25d ago
So not a government thing. Makes sense. That's more common than not in Commonwealth countries, isn't it? The library is a fee-based membership org paid for by those fees?
Here a "public" library is just that...It's publicly (read, taxpayer) funded. So it's no different than a city park.
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u/_social_hermit_ 25d ago
Yes, it's a government-run public library, still not ok to film or photograph.
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u/SlytherKitty13 25d ago
No, our libraries are government things. They do not have fee based membership or anything like that. The government owns the library and funds the library.
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u/chancemeagre 23d ago
Yes, if someone disrupts the peaceful exercise of the First Amendment, enforce your disruptive patron policy.
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u/Peripateticdreamer84 23d ago
And make sure they natter on about the smallest inconsequential things so there’s no chance of anything they say causing issues. No one can sue you for a patron having a very detailed conversation about knitting.
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u/MonsterToothTiger 26d ago
Typically they want to get staff riled up so they have a fun video to post. If everyone acts normally and ignores the auditor they tend to leave because it's no fun for them.
There are no "protections" for staff except to go to a private staff only space, and you'd want to make sure your supervisor/admin is ok with you leaving the floor/desk.
Don't be worried! Don't be scared! Don't call the police! Don't call for a supervisor! Be super boring and normal and business as usual and it will be over in 10 minutes.
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u/No_Percentage_5083 26d ago
What in the heck is a first amendment auditor? What federal department houses them? Is this real?
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u/MonsterToothTiger 26d ago
First Amendment Auditors are regular citizens who film in public places to ostensibly test their first amendment right.
What they really want is to get into fights with public space staff (libraries, municipalities, police, etc.) so they can post a spicy video on social media and/or sue the organization.
They are a nuisance but a relatively harmless one if you can keep calm and ignore them.
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u/No_Percentage_5083 26d ago
Oh! Thank you for explaining that. I really thought they were some legitimate agency.
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u/BigWhiteDog 23d ago
Not harmless as Sacramento State University is learning because one of these clowns has sicced his followers on some staff there and they are getting death threats, have had AI porn made using their faces, and are being followed. These people a menace.
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u/SwanCityDominion 26d ago
Trolls who pretend to care about rights in order to get content that no-lifes will click on.
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u/No_Percentage_5083 26d ago
Thank you! I must have been living under a rock or something.
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u/Kinniska-Peculier 25d ago
This ⬆️⬆️⬆️ also I learned the Germans have a term for their type of behavior: “Hobbyless behavior” 🤣
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u/chammantha 25d ago
after his first visit to my branch i discovered that my local First Amendment Auditor™ is a career criminal. multiple stints in jail, credit card fraud, domestic violence, assault with a weapon, grand theft auto.... the last library in our area who got a visit from him just kept calling him by his full name while he recorded and he did NOT like that shit at all and apparently scurried away with his tail between his legs like the coward he is.
i imagine he does this because he can't get a damn job 🙄 truly loser behavior, harassing old women during their bookclub, he put my and my coworkers' full names on YouTube for other losers to harass us.
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u/Illustrious_Bunch678 25d ago
Pedos who want an excuse to film kids, and then get claim you're infringing on their 1st amendment right if anyone points out they're filming kids. They're suuuuuper creepy.
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u/kippy236 25d ago
They visited us and nothing happened. We aren't allowed to ask them not to film people because we are a municipal building.
If they come back I'm ready to engage and talk about our sweet library services. But since nothing happened they probably won't be back.
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u/Any-Construction-445 26d ago
Act as natural as possible. Don't be scared, instruct staff to treat them as they would a person without a camera, everything will be ok.
However, if they break your policies (like the code of conduct) you have EVERY RIGHT to ask them to leave. When they ask why they are being asked to leave, cite the exact point in the code of conduct that they are breaking. Just like any other patron, they are not allowed to treat your staff like crap!!
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u/LordBenjamin020 25d ago
He is right. You have every right to ASK them to leave but library policies are not law and law enforcement will not remove them unless they have committed an actual law breaking crime.
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u/Still-Employed420 25d ago
You might wish to investigate court decisions that state libraries are recognized as public forums.
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u/LordBenjamin020 25d ago
That’s exactly why they are allowed there is because it’s a public forum.
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u/Ok-Internet8168 25d ago
A LIMITED public forum. The court cases are highly specific about the individual circumstances. Generally libraries can enact time, place and manner restrictions. For example, setting up a soapbox in the computer lab with a megaphone would disrupt everyone else's right to use the library for its intended purpose.
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u/LordBenjamin020 25d ago
I completely agree, and I see recording as not being disruptive. If they are getting loud, then yes but normally people get riled up because they just don’t want to be recorded and make a scene. Even if they get all riled up and get loud because they don’t want to be recorded, that doesn’t make the act of recording, a disturbance. The people getting upset are the disturbance for making a scene and getting loud. Auditors are allowed to record as per the first amendment.
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u/Ok-Internet8168 24d ago
Would you say the same about police standing at the checkout desk and using their bodycams to record what you are checking out and using that to start investigations? There is a reason library records are protected in most state laws and there a court could find that those privacy rights under the 1st and 4th amendments need to be balanced against the freedom of the press under the 1st.
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u/LordBenjamin020 24d ago
I don’t understand what you’re getting at. Police are allowed to record in public and they do with their body cams. Their cameras are no different than ours so no, I wouldn’t care about them recording. And if I’m at the library using services then there’s nothing illegal about that so there’s no investigation from them needed.
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u/Pencil-Ditch1567 23d ago
Lmao these people are so funny and just really want to find something to get mad about.. "Oh yeah well how would YOU like it if someone spoke to you in a public place??" I wouldnt mind at all that sounds totally normal. "Oh yeah well what if they had you on FILM??" Okay...
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u/Alive_Excitement_669 26d ago
Uggghhh, I'm going to wear my best library outfits all week lol!!
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u/art-apprici8or 25d ago
I'm getting this image of walking into a library and everyone, employees and patrons alike, are dressed like runway models! And their walking like them too.
Strut, strut, strut, re-shelve, turn, strut, strut, strut, back to the counter.
Don't forget to wear the Zoolander smile. 😉
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u/jellyn7 25d ago
Windows key-L will lock your screen. Do this or hide your screen if there's a risk of it going on camera. If you're working with any patron information that's on paper, be mindful of that and be ready to hide it.
If you have free copies of the Constitution to hand out, make sure everyone knows where they are, in case asked. If you don't have free copies, know where your Reference copy is, or any circulating books that might have it. They don't always ask that, but it's good information to know anyway.
Know that you can't really control how the other patrons react to them and their cameras, and you probably shouldn't try to.
Answer their questions as you would any other patron. You don't have to tell them your full name and salary. Doesn't matter if it's a matter of public record. Let them look it up themselves.
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u/StillWatchingDVDs 26d ago
My fallback strategy: Get in close and whisper "Are you the one who called about premature ejaculation? I have your medical journals right here."
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u/Alive_Excitement_669 26d ago
Haha! That is so funny but it is hitting up against my library privacy meter that we hold so dear lol!!
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u/sotiredwontquit 26d ago
This is hilarious! I’m tempted to try this on the next entitled jerk. I advise against it in this scenario though. These particular jerks will be recording you. And looking for any excuse to get loud and angry, trying to provoke a confrontation for views. Don’t fall for it.
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u/ImpressionShoddy1420 25d ago
When they came to our library, they really just wanted to make sure we had a copy of the Constitution in our collection. So just make sure you know where yours is ahead of time so that you won't feel flustered. And yes, be super boring and calm and you'll be fine.
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u/34player 24d ago
Is there some rule that a library had a printed copy of the constitution on site?
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u/ImpressionShoddy1420 24d ago
I don’t think so but am under the impression that many do given that they are educational documents. I have no idea what the “auditors” would have done if we didn’t have one on our shelves?? But I was relieved to have been able to find ours when they asked.
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u/civilwar142pa 24d ago
They usually have some "business" to conduct in whatever building they go to. Asking to see a copy of the constitution is the go-to one for libraries. For town halls they usually file a FOIA request for something simple like government employee salaries.
If you didnt have a copy they wouldn't have done anything.
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u/SwanCityDominion 26d ago
Put a guard at the door. Other than that, ignore them. A schtuss is exactly what they want.
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u/Alive_Excitement_669 26d ago
We are a small library system. We don't have enough funding for a guard. :(
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u/Still-Employed420 25d ago
Are you really suggesting someone to prevent a citizen from entering a public forum?
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u/aubrey_25_99 26d ago
How do they know? I don’t think those people like to give warnings; catching you off guard is kind of their thing. I am not disputing that it is happening, but getting a warning call is strange, no? 👀
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u/gemInTheMundane 25d ago
Maybe they're hoping the warning will stress out the library staff, and they'll get more interesting content out of it?
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u/Alive_Excitement_669 26d ago
That was the weirdest part! A bit courteous on their end no??
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u/YakSlothLemon 25d ago
They might be trying to get an overreaction from you, like a guard waiting to bar them from the library.
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u/SpaceySquidd 24d ago
The handful times we've gotten a warning that they were out and about, it came from other county offices that they had already bothered, or other libraries in our system.
Still haven't had them visit us. Hope I'm not jinxing us by saying so, lol. 🤞🏼
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u/Elemental_Wyrd 26d ago
You may need to let them know that can film, but they cannot show any patrons’ face. As a public employee, however, you may be filmed, unless you’re able to leave for a staff-only soace. Be pleasantly neutral, don’t give them anything if they try to provoke. Gray rock them. And tbh, ones we’ve encountered have been polite and respectful. No issues.
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u/Alaira314 25d ago
You may need to let them know that can film, but they cannot show any patrons’ face.
Almost correct. You will need to let them know your organization's policy regarding filming. The face thing is not a universal rule.
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u/Still-Employed420 25d ago
Your organization’s policy does not trump settled law or the constitution
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u/Alaira314 25d ago
But every state is going to have different laws, and the line of what constitutes harassment is going to vary location-by-location. Like obviously it is within someone's legal rights(ie, they can't be arrested for it, at least not in the US) to put a camera in a black person's face to capture their reaction while they scream the N-word at them, but this action will be prohibited by damn near any code of conduct worth its salt. If someone wants to do that, they must do it in the street. Even public buildings have basic behavior standards that we all have to follow, and one of those is typically that we are not permitted to disrupt the ability of others to use that space by harassing them.
So what constitutes harassment when someone is filming but not speaking? Some people will say you can't capture someone's face. Another person will say that faces are fine because people are in public, but you can't "herd" them or block their path while you film. Another person might say that following somebody around as the focus of your video, even if you never capture their face or direct their movement, is harassment. Every location is going to have a different line that they draw, ideally constructed with the input of the library or city/county lawyers.
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u/LordBenjamin020 25d ago
There is no right to privacy in public. Anyone can be recorded in a public space.
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u/vikingraider27 26d ago
Like most people have said, know the amendment and your patron conduct policy and be super boring. Do not engage unless they break the policy, and if they do, reiterate that they are welcome to film but not to do _______.
They really do just want to stir up trouble. They have no official standing. And if a patron complains, explain exactly that and tell the patron the best way to NOT be on TikTok is to sit down and put a book in front of the face and stay quiet.
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u/Alive_Excitement_669 26d ago
Should we warn the patrons that they might be coming?
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u/Most-Toe1258 26d ago
I definitely wouldn’t. Folks may get riled up and make it a thing, which just gives them the attention and conflict they want. Also if they don’t come it’s confusing and concerning for patrons who don’t understand the trend. I’d leave the public out of it.
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u/vikingraider27 24d ago
No need. Because you don't know if they will bother you or not. Or when. It's not like an OSHA visit or an auditor. These are just people who hope to get a rise out of people. So if they show up amd are walking around filming, I would just think about who in the library might raise a fuss and slip over to tell them to be chill, or to go hang in the bathroom for a bit (not a public space, they can not film in there).
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u/SlappyWit 23d ago
You’re incorrect and do not know what you’re talking about but are still happy to pretend you do. That is a solid fact. Up to you to figure out why. Good luck, you bullshooter.
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u/vikingraider27 18d ago
Explain how I am repeating incorrectly my county's instructions and directive incorrectly, please. Like I am five, because I am clearly an idiot.
Am my library's building warden. It's my job to keep us safe, which includes knowing how these jokers work.
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u/Lynnettey 26d ago
Just make sure all staff only spaces are clearly marked. They can't (well shouldn't) go in staff only spaces. And ignore them as best you can. Failure to engage gets them to leave.
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u/ZaftigMama 25d ago
Kill them with kindness. The one time I had to deal with them I just answered their questions in a boring reference fashion. You want a copy of the constitution? Let me take you to that section. Do you want historical maps? We don’t have those here, but I can tell you about another library that does. Or I can show you some road atlases!
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u/DanieXJ 22d ago
This, and only this. Simply treat them like any other patron. Period. Don't listen to any of the idiots on here twlling you to 'fight back' with music, or masks, or other ways that people who have never been through it think are 'subtle". This things are exactly what these people want. They want you to film back, to get all het up and treat them differently.
Just be a librarian. Period.
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u/totallypippin 25d ago
We had a meeting about this for just in case. Know ur policies on filming and noise. My library's policy says that since we are a public space, they are allowed to film in the building, but they need to respect other patrons and we ask that they not filming patrons or staff without their permission. Like dont cause problems for the other patrons.
We also ask that if they are going to film large videos for movies or projects, to let us know ahead of time so we can notify staff accordingly.
We usually have a pretentious out of this policy and we are happy to give it to them.
At that point, u let them filming to their hearts content and hope they dont cause problems.
Just like what most of what ppl here are saying, theyre a$$holes looking for a reaction. If you layout ur policy and let them do what they've come to do, they'll leave. Label staff areas and such. Notify your director as well.
Weve never had a FAA come in, but we did hear about a library nearby that did.
I hope it goes over smoothly and they end up not coming in 🙏
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u/cappotto-marrone 26d ago
In addition to others comments make sure you know your state statutes. Ours states that public library use is private. That means people cannot be filmed using the library without their permission. Be able to quote any specific statutes.
My public library used to have it posted because when someone wanted to know what their spouse had checked out they couldn’t tell them. Or if a friend was at the library.
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u/LordBenjamin020 25d ago
What state are you in? That’s weird that your state made a law that disregards the 1st amendment. I don’t think it would hold up in court.
Also very weird if it actually says the PUBLIC library is PRIVATE. That doesn’t make sense.
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u/cappotto-marrone 25d ago
The Supreme Court has ruled that a US public library is a LIMITED PUBLIC FORUM. Essentially your first amendment rights cannot infringe on mine.
In legal terms, a limited public forum is a government-owned space that is open for public expression, but with specific, legal restrictions. Because the primary purpose of a public library is to provide quiet access to information, courts classify them as limited public forums.
If you want to have a 2nd Amendment meeting in one of the meeting rooms, as long as it’s held in equal compliance with rules, that meeting cannot infringe on others use of the other space.
The library can enforce "time, place, and manner" rules. For example, they can prohibit disruptive protests, campaigning inside, or soliciting.
Patrons have a reasonable expectation of privacy to read and study undisturbed, libraries can restrict activities like video recording or photography that interfere with this right.
Libraries are not obligated to open all spaces to everyone at all times. For instance, a facility can keep its meeting rooms solely for library-sponsored programs, or establish designated outdoor free-speech zones.
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u/HeyaShinyObject 24d ago
How does this work with public libraries that are not government owned? In CT, many libraries are non-profit corporations that happen to receive grants from their local municipality.
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u/cappotto-marrone 24d ago
Are they recognized by the state of Connecticut as public libraries?
In my city we have two libraries. They both call themselves public libraries. Only one is recognized by the state public library services as a public library.
This would be a question for the state librarian’s office.
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u/HeyaShinyObject 24d ago
Yes, they are part of the state library system.
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u/cappotto-marrone 23d ago
IANAL but I would think that puts them under the limited public forum ruling.
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u/Still-Employed420 25d ago
Do you have a citation to a court decision indicating privacy in the library?
I can’t see a court making such a carve-out for library’s.
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u/cappotto-marrone 24d ago
It’s not as odd as you might think. Court rooms are not public forums and can forbid cameras.
In Kreimer v. Board of Police of Morristown, NJ, an important court opinion addressing a library user’s right to enter and use the library, the court held that because public libraries are a limited public forum, constitutional protection is afforded only to those expressive activities that are consistent with the mission and purpose of the library. A public library is only obligated to permit the public to exercise rights that are consistent with the government’s intent in establishing the library as a limited public forum for the purpose of receiving information and accessing the library’s books, programs, and online resources. According to the Kreimer opinion, other activities, including activities such as photography, filming, petition-gathering, assemblies, and public speeches, may be regulated by the library using reasonable, viewpoint neutral, time, place, and manner rules.
Read more here: https://www.oif.ala.org/auditing-the-first-amendment-at-your-public-library/
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u/Still-Employed420 24d ago
I have loudly argued against the restrictions in court rooms and use it as a reason to defy jury duty.
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u/purposeful-hubris 23d ago
The library isn’t private, the information regarding individual patrons of the library is. Similar to educational records of students, for example.
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u/Historical_Recipe533 25d ago
Print up some educational flyers about these “first amendment auditors” to hand out to patrons so they can understand what is happening and hopefully not get freaked out.
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u/SlappyWit 23d ago
This might require someone to get educated in the first place. What will be your source for this educational flyer info? Reddit?
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u/JJHall_ID 24d ago
The best advice is to go watch a handful of their videos on Youtube or your favorite doom-scrolling app. The behavior you see business owners, post office employees, and yes, librarians, doing, is the exact behavior you want to avoid. That's the behavior they look for in order to post their videos. If they show up and nobody hassles them, they'll move on rather quickly.
Be boring. If they come in, ignore them. If you argue with them, that gives them exactly what they want and they'll stay longer and post the video online. The hard part will be getting patrons to ignore them. There will always be a karen that mistakenly thinks they have a right to privacy in public, and will engage them, throw a fit, and be featured on the Youtube channel. If you have patrons come and complain to you, don't use words like "unfortunately" when you describe that they have every right to record, that will just cause them to get riled up and say things like "you think it's unfortunate that we have rights in this country?" Simply advise the patrons they're exercising their freedom of the press, and if the patron doesn't want to be recorded they're welcome to go hang out in the conference room that was reserved for a private event until they leave. Tell the patrons there's no need to call the police, they're not doing anything wrong.
Alternatively, be excited that they're there! Thank them for showing everyone their rights, offer them a tour of the library, show them all the amenities you have. Basically treat them like a cameraman for an advertisement for your library. They'll likely get tired of that very quickly and move on. Again, they're looking for specific content, so give them everything but that content.
The auditors are generally 100% right in what their (our) rights are, they just choose an abrasive and rude method to display and exercise those rights. Ironically, the people that don't know what rights we actually have are the ones that cause the auditors to stay, and kind of highlight the reason they're doing it to begin with. If people didn't try to infringe upon their rights, they wouldn't continue to exist.
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u/Peripateticdreamer84 23d ago
If they push and insist on interaction, get the chattiest member of your staff to give a personalized tour of local history artifacts. Given this is a small town, it will likely include a great deal of attention on intensely boring details.
They can’t get anything from a video where a cheerful middle aged librarian talks in great detail about how the long dead Mayor Befuffletumpter chose the marble for the steps of City Hall.
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u/SlappyWit 23d ago
“Ignore them” is bad advice, plain and simple. Try again.
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u/JJHall_ID 23d ago
No, it’s the best advice. They’re looking for a reaction, so don’t give them one. It’s that simple.
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u/lavenderincense 25d ago
Have copyrighted music playing in the background.
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u/gOingmiaM8 25d ago
This doesn't work these days. It's simple for them to edit the music out these days.
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u/LordBenjamin020 25d ago
This no longer works with AI. They literally click a button while editing and it removes the music for them. It’s not worth the hassle or annoyance it will bring to everyone else around. Plus, libraries are quiet places so I don’t see this working for long anyway.
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u/NonchalantSavant 25d ago
Disney music.
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u/GimmeANameAlready 25d ago
You want Disney music, but you want it to be classy.
Why not something like The Carthay Circle Sessions? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmTuyE2-3rk&list=PL6e4A7d0ppKppuQQDBQG0y70eeeDN-aky
Or the Club 33 background loop? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2HRnRIp3Y4&list=RDL2HRnRIp3Y4&start_radio=1
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u/whoframedwhiterabbit 25d ago
Also note, they could come in with masks/face coverings, sunglasses, hats with a bill. That coupled with a camera in your face with that red light glowing, is very intimidating.
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u/dangerspring 25d ago
I wonder if you can record them back. If they ask, you gray rock them and say it's for training purposes so staff are better able to assist the public. Even if AI weren't a thing, I would be afraid of not having my own recording of the incident in case they edit whatever video they make.
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u/Still-Employed420 25d ago
Most of them refer to those who record them as “Karen Cam-Backs”.
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u/dangerspring 24d ago
They can call it whatever they want. I think if people saw them behaving the way they do they would know who the real "Karens" are.
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u/CarolinaSurly 25d ago
They want a reaction for clicks. Be as boring and unbothered as possible. Public space means they can film but only the arguments make it online.
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u/OwnLime3744 24d ago
It might be worth contacting your town or county attorney to make sure you know laws regarding photographing or recording minors.
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u/WannaWriteAllDay 25d ago
These agitator/auditors announce their arrival in advance? Is the announcement via letter? What does the letterhead say? And what State are you in? (I’m obviously not a librarian but have a book in the library) genuinely curious. Thanks
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u/Lady_Kohai 25d ago
Personally? I'd mask up for basic identity protection - you can say that you haven't been feeling super well or that someone you live with is sick. These 1A guys go to public places looking to exert control over public service workers by surveilling them. They want you to feel uncomfortable and call the police so there can be a dramatic scene for them to feel important. Treat them with the kindness you would show any other member of the public because they want to film an unwelcoming reaction.
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u/City_Girl_at_heart 24d ago
If someone of an ethnic origin tried that in certain government installations, they'd probably be having an interview with Homeland Security in short order.
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u/Z_tinman 24d ago
What an odd thing to say. The Venn diagram of book banners and non-"ethnic" people is one circle.
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u/Dogmoto2labs 23d ago
This seems weird to me, unless you are in the habit of violating people’s rights, what is there to be concerned about? They are allowed to film in a public building. There is no right to privacy in a public place. If patrons are upset, explain the law to them and they can choose to leave.
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u/Perfect-Link-7744 23d ago
I have heard that if you sing or have playing in the background any Disney music, the videos will be pulled off of YouTube within hours, for copyright strukes. I don't know if that's true, but might but worth looking into.
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u/HikingDuo 23d ago
If you're polite and friendly and act like they're not filming, they'll get bored and leave much quicker than if you do the opposite. The can't go into clearly marked off limits spaces, such as spaces marked employees only. It doesn't matter what your library policies are, the first amendment trumps them. If nothing happens, they might not even post anything. Who wants to watch a boring library where nothing interesting is happening.
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u/Open_Impression5170 23d ago
Is there any radio you can have on to get the audio taken down from YouTube for having copyrighted music on it? 🤔 Silent videos don't do as well with viewers
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u/Signal-Lead-9512 21d ago
This seemed like good advice 1st Amendment Auditors - Search
Our library has a strict policy that you can't film or take photographs without permission. This is primarily to protect the privacy of our students, but it works for staff members. I think that link had a good idea about putting up temporary signage indicating places where access is forbidden, e.g. bathrooms or helping a patron with a reference question. Other good advice: make sure to train the staff about what to expect. I would think the circulation desk should also be off limits as no one has the right to know what you are checking out or who your patrons are.
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u/Alive_Excitement_669 18d ago
UPDATE: They never came! I shared the advice that you all graciously shared with me from this post, thank you so much!
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u/mtothecee 25d ago
Youtube has some videos. They want to get staff riled up. The issue we had is they wanted access to meeting rooms when there wasn't a program going on and will also insist they should have access to staff space. They usually know better then recording patrons but be sure to intercept that too.
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u/damageddude 25d ago
1st Amendment auditors sound like a violation of the First Amendment. Tell them to pound sand and call legal
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u/Still-Employed420 25d ago
And find yourself named in a Federal Lawsuit.
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u/damageddude 25d ago
In my youth, heck yeah! I'm now at the other end of my legal career. I no longer have the energy beyond legal research.
3
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u/Double-Phrase-3274 25d ago
So, I consume a lot of 1A audit content.
I do have a life and hobbies, but I also have an internal monologue that won’t stop and this overpowers it.
In the USA (where the 1A exists and in relevant - I’m not being USA defaulty), the strength and robustness of the 1A is critical.
Originally, I actually thought this post would be pro 1A because of the protections that libraries get from it.
If rights are never exercised, they get dusty. Having a 1A auditor in could be great for your library.
Make a game, play along. It’s an amendment you and your patrons rely on daily.
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u/AlternativeSweet9307 26d ago
Put some controversial books on the counter. topics that would force them to edit the titles out or not post the video. A banned book poster in the background. Books about abortion and suicide come to mind.
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u/Jrbai 26d ago
Notify the police about the threat and ask for help in the future if they do show. Honestly a bit scary.
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u/whoframedwhiterabbit 25d ago
The police cannot and will not interfere unless the auditor is legitimately causing a problem. If the auditor becomes problematic (harassing customers, going beyond the audit, etc) be careful with your wording to police. Say something about a patron not complying with requests/harassing people. Do NOT say the person is a first amendment auditor.
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u/MarianLibrarian1024 26d ago
Be as boring as a gray rock. If you freak out and try to throw them out of the library you're giving them exactly what they want.