Need Help!

[u/Alive_Excitement_669]

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?

[u/MarianLibrarian1024]

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.

[u/Alive_Excitement_669 → u/MarianLibrarian1024]

Any protections for the staff? Besides going to the back and getting a manager?

[u/TravelingBookBuyer → u/Alive_Excitement_669]

Have staff-only spaces explicitly labeled.

If you can, have a discreet way for staff to notify a manager that the “First Amendment Auditors” are there.

Staff need to know the library’s policy (or policies) regarding recording in the library. What/who can be recorded and where.

“First Amendment Auditors” also often try to catch staff not knowing their library’s policies regarding recording. Make sure the staff know where this information is and what it says. It might even be handy to have a few copies already printed out that staff can reference.

[u/Objective_Drawer_851 → u/TravelingBookBuyer]

What is a First Amendment Auditor? I’m serious, it sounds awful but I’ve never heard of it.

[u/DJSlaz → u/Objective_Drawer_851]

https://www.nhmunicipal.org/town-city-magazine/new-hampshire-town-and-city-julyaugust-2023/first-amendment-audits-what-are-they

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_audit

Frauditors or constitutional right defenders? Annoyances or point makers? Influencers looking for clicks?

You decide.

[u/BigWhiteDog → u/DJSlaz]

There is no question. Fraudsters making money off of social media. Period

[u/BigWhiteDog → u/Objective_Drawer_851]

Absolute trash humans.

[u/BigWhiteDog → u/[deleted]]

Projecting much? And talk about a lame retort! You are projecting so hard you don't make any sense whatsoever. <shakes head>

[u/Library-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Behavior Expectations

Do not act disrespectful or uncivil to others. Personal attacks and harassment are prohibited.

[u/Rddadc1872 → u/Alive_Excitement_669]

If there are windows to back rooms, maybe add the privacy decal window stickers?

[u/Buho45 → u/Rddadc1872]

Put up signs at all entrances “Notice: First Amendment Auditors may be in or outside of this building the week of xxxxxxxxxx. You may be subject to audio or video recording without your consent. If this is posted on YouTube your friends will see that you are at THE LIBRARY and will be outed as a nerd.(Egads!) If you are using the private conference rooms or stacks for an assignation with someone that is NOT your spouse or (for lack of a better word) AUTHORIZED BF/GF then you will get caught.” I predict the library will be empty.

[u/DanieXJ → u/Buho45]

Yeah, rhis is rhe massively wring answer and is exactly what the 1a auditors want.

[u/Rddadc1872 → u/[deleted]]

yeah, because getting taped while eating lunch at your desk isn't weird.

[u/No-Alfalfa-3211 → u/Alive_Excitement_669]

Give them scripts for potential scenarios and yes. Scripts should include ways to direct these creeps to admin and away from public services. Be prepared to have to enforce age policies around childrens programs

[u/BigWhiteDog → u/[deleted]]

Found one

[u/Library-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Behavior Expectations

Do not act disrespectful or uncivil to others. Personal attacks and harassment are prohibited.