stolen from [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] - URI Library Sexcapades!

[mangofandango]

Article in the school paper about this Important Issue

Text of the article for those who don't feel like clicking the link (and if you read on, please be warned):

"The University of Rhode Island Library is currently taking steps to address the issue of alleged sexual activity and vandalism that has been occurring during the past few months in the men's bathrooms in the basement of the library...the female janitor in charge of cleaning the basement level of the library found an excessive amount of blood and semen in the stalls of one of the men's bathrooms.
One suggestion that is still being considered, however, is a flyer that would be displayed in the stalls of the bathrooms, although Wessells and other staff members said they are doubtful about how efficient it would actually be.
"Who in the heat of passion is going to read this lengthy memo?" Assistant Professor Librarian Andree Rathemacher said.
Wessells said that vandalism is also a problem. Holes are being drilled into the walls between the stalls, he said, to be used for sex. These holes are commonly referred to as "gloryholes."
"In talking to more experienced librarians, this is not uncommon," Wessells said. "In public libraries you can find even more extreme situations. In urban settings, drugs paraphernalia, syringes and used condoms are often found."
"I've worked in libraries for nearly 40 years," Professor Michael Vocino said. "Sex in libraries is a common practice by both heterosexuals and homosexuals. When I worked in a public library, one of the staff members found a heterosexual couple actually having sex in one of the upper hidden stacks."
"The URI library is a public place," Wessells said. "Anyone can use it. And because we are so open, it makes things difficult to police."
Wessells stressed that "education is key," and "informing folks that this isn't appropriate" are big priorities for him. He is currently considering the idea of having seminars about the issue in the library for students to attend."

This is the funniest thing I have read in a while. :) I love that: a)people are surprised about the whole sex-in-libraries issue, b) that they think the people doing it don't know that having sex in the library is a no-no, and c) that they want to post memos and hold seminars about it, because they think that will help. Seminars! Students will certainly flock to those! And people who frequent the library for sex are so totally going to say OH OKAY THEN I'LL STOP DOING THAT NOW as soon as they attend said seminar (or read the lenghty memo in the heat of passion! ;)) I also like that they say "more extreme" things happen "in urban settings" - like used condoms and the like only appear in urban libraries. Trust me, people, used condoms in the stacks is not an urban phenomenon. :)

I feel very sorry for the poor janitor, though. Very, very sorry.

Comments

[either-or.livejournal.com]

i think the weirdest part is that there is, apparently, some acceptable level of "blood and semen" that one can expect to find in a men's restroom. anything beyond that, though...

[ellenneithernor.livejournal.com]

bahahahaha. well, if we could just teach people in general to clean up their own messes...

I guess I should be opposed to library sex on principle, but people will be people!

[luvnisa187.livejournal.com]

I am actually surprised that sex in libraries is a big problem. I mean, I guess there are a certain number of people who enjoy having sex in public places, but why would the library be so popular? And if you are having sex in the library, you already know that it is a no-no...that's the whole point of doing it in a public place, right? I think the seminar idea is funny. Who else thinks that more than a few students will think, "Sex in the library? I'd never thought of that before...lets try it!"

[mangofandango.livejournal.com]

I guess I meant that I was surprised that it was a surprise to people who worked in libraries, since most library people I've known have been aware of it (and because they're the lucky ones who get to find the used condoms and so on, of course.) I'm not sure what it is about the library in particular as a popular public sex location - I just know that "sex in the stacks" is sort of legendary. I guess because it's often fairly deserted in some parts of the library. Knowledge is sexy too, of course, as are librarians. ;)

And yes, I do think that any memos or seminars are just going to give more students ideas. That just adds to to humor! Boy, that whole seminar plan sure is smart! :)

[allypopsicle.livejournal.com]

"oh gosh! i thought this was a seminar on how to have sex in the library. not about not having sex in the libraries. darn."

Mango Loveliness

[norma-morose.livejournal.com]

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