A Chicago Tribune article in today’s edition reports that the Lombard Public Library among others has changed its policy in regards to patrons who snooze. As long as there is no loud snoring or sleep behaviors that are disturbing to others, the nappers will be left to dream away for a reasonable amount of time. Is a kinder, gentler library policy like this a response to the fact that many more homeless patrons are using the library as their daytime “homebase,” and may simply be exhausted and in dire need of some rest? Library users struggling with economic woes, spending hours using library resources for job searches or temporary offices, and college students pulling all-nighters (or all day-ers) sometimes just need a little shut-eye, and some library administrators are realizing that taking a little nap is OK.
Barbara L.