[Libs-Or] Patrons in abusive relationships

[Sue Ludington]

Hi Taylor,
This can truly be a disheartening position to be in. I for one definitely feel your pain and commend you for reaching out to see how others might respond.

Here in the Law Library, we have a brochure display that includes one for the Domestic Violence Resource Center located here in Hillsboro. In addition, in our building of 3 county departments (including Housing), we regularly post flyers (English and Spanish) advertising the DVRC with phone numbers on pull-off tabs in the women’s restroom stalls.

Might your library have similar brochures? Perhaps you could find a way to share it with her?

If you don’t have brochures, maybe you could inquire at your local DV center. From the State’s website [https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ABUSE/DOMESTIC/Pages/index.aspx], I found the WomenSpace organization [http://womenspaceinc.org/] located in Eugene. You might contact them to see if they have brochures they’d send for your library. Alternatively or maybe in addition, you could consider creating a flyer like I describe above. I’ve seen similar postings in other public women’s restrooms.

And while I don’t know that the Lane County Law Library would have anything specifically helpful, I’d be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to reach out to them as needed. The Law Librarian, Neil Miller, has been in the community a while and might know of other contacts or resources. He can be reached at (541) 682-4337 or via email at neil.miller at co.lane.or.us.

Hope this offers a little something that you/the library can do that might prove helpful. Thanks for being such a kind and caring human!!! We can’t have too many these days. ☺

Best,
Sue

Sue Ludington
Assistant Law Librarian
Washington County Law Library
111 NE Lincoln St., MS #45
Hillsboro, OR 97124

503.846.8880 | sue_ludington at co.washington.or.us<mailto:sue_ludington at co.washington.or.us>

From: Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Taylor Worley
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2017 3:50 PM
To: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: [Libs-Or] Patrons in abusive relationships

Hi everyone,

I am curious about how people handle suspicions of patrons being in abusive relationships. While I have no concrete proof, there is one patron in particular I'm very concerned about based on the patterns I observe at the library.

I realize that this person is an adult and that I have very few options, but I do try to check on her, ask her how she is doing, and today I gave her my card and let her know again "if you every need anything, we're here to help".

I think that is the extent of what I can do, however I'm curious if anyone has had experience with patrons in similar situations and what you did/can do/didn't do.

Again, I have no proof, just observations and a very bad gut feeling. Thank you!

Taylor Worley
Youth Services Librarian
Springfield Public Library
225 5th Street
Springfield, OR 97422
541.726.2243 (direct)
taylorlgkw at gmail.com<mailto:taylorlgkw at gmail.com>
tworley at springfield-or.gov<mailto:tworley at springfield-or.gov>
"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -A. A. Milne

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