Reston Library

[Anonymous]

Is there anything that can be done to control the homeless population loitering around and in the Reston Library?

For those who don't know, there is a homeless shelter immediately adjacent to the library, and during the day these men either hang out on the front steps, smoking and stinking, or they hog the public computers all day, sleep at a desk, or sit around the magazine section. (And don't even ask me about the bathrooms. You need a face mask to go in there.) I was standing near the computers one day, when a homeless man came up to a woman currently at a spot, and demanded - viciously - that she relinquish "his computer" to him. The librarian asked the woman to please give up the computer so as not to anger the guy further, but really....why is the person paying the taxes for the library/computers asked to vacate in favor of the person she's helping to support, and who pays nothing toward the computers?

I know we cannot prohibit people from going to a public venue, but even McDonald's has rules about loitering. I've read that there are plans to build a new multi-million dollar facility, but if we can't forbid the homeless people from hanging out there all day, the library will be ruined.

(OK, liberals.....take your shot at me. I know it's coming.)

[Anonymous]

You could always put up a confederate statue in front. Then the entire library will be leveled. No more homeless problem.

[Anonymous]

Loudoun county has great libraries. I would drive a little further for a nicer experience.

I don't know why Fairfax County libraries are so crappy, but they are.

[Anonymous]

I know I'll get flamed for this, but I'm sick of libraries offering internet. At my library it seems like all people do is camp out for the free internet. Every chair is full and people are just watching movies and games. I wish they'd do away with the internet and get more people actively reading or doing other activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know I'll get flamed for this, but I'm sick of libraries offering internet. At my library it seems like all people do is camp out for the free internet. Every chair is full and people are just watching movies and games. I wish they'd do away with the internet and get more people actively reading or doing other activities.

Or maybe have a 30 min a day limit on internet usage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loudoun county has great libraries. I would drive a little further for a nicer experience.

I don't know why Fairfax County libraries are so crappy, but they are.

OP here. I think that's what I'll do. I always enjoy browsing through all the books - I could spend two hours there, easy - but not at the Reston Library. I'll give a Loudoun one a try. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know I'll get flamed for this, but I'm sick of libraries offering internet. At my library it seems like all people do is camp out for the free internet. Every chair is full and people are just watching movies and games. I wish they'd do away with the internet and get more people actively reading or doing other activities.

OP here. I agree. And I also think that if someone is on the computer, a homeless person should not get priority and displace the person currently on it. I realize the librarian was afraid of a "melt-down" of some sort, but really....sending the wrong message entirely.

I believe there used to be a problem with porn surfing, but at least they blocked that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Loudoun county has great libraries. I would drive a little further for a nicer experience.

I don't know why Fairfax County libraries are so crappy, but they are.

OP here. I think that's what I'll do. I always enjoy browsing through all the books - I could spend two hours there, easy - but not at the Reston Library. I'll give a Loudoun one a try. Thanks.

Are you a Loudoun resident? I agree the FFX libraries are awful though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know I'll get flamed for this, but I'm sick of libraries offering internet. At my library it seems like all people do is camp out for the free internet. Every chair is full and people are just watching movies and games. I wish they'd do away with the internet and get more people actively reading or doing other activities.

OP here. I agree. And I also think that if someone is on the computer, a homeless person should not get priority and displace the person currently on it. I realize the librarian was afraid of a "melt-down" of some sort, but really....sending the wrong message entirely.

I believe there used to be a problem with porn surfing, but at least they blocked that.

But a better response from the librarian would have been to tell the guy wait his turn and if he escalated immediately call 911.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Loudoun county has great libraries. I would drive a little further for a nicer experience.

I don't know why Fairfax County libraries are so crappy, but they are.

OP here. I think that's what I'll do. I always enjoy browsing through all the books - I could spend two hours there, easy - but not at the Reston Library. I'll give a Loudoun one a try. Thanks.

Are you a Loudoun resident? I agree the FFX libraries are awful though.

No, I'm a Fairfax resident. Possibly they have reciprocity. I'll ask my friend, Mr, Google.

[Anonymous]

Not sure why it took this thread for you to figure out that visiting a different library was an option.

[Anonymous]

Giant redevelopment of that area will be coming soon. That will shake things up a lot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loudoun county has great libraries. I would drive a little further for a nicer experience.

I don't know why Fairfax County libraries are so crappy, but they are.

I have lived in other parts of the country where the public libraries are so bad they make FCPL look awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know I'll get flamed for this, but I'm sick of libraries offering internet. At my library it seems like all people do is camp out for the free internet. Every chair is full and people are just watching movies and games. I wish they'd do away with the internet and get more people actively reading or doing other activities.

Agree. That and the stupid "teen hangout area" are a complete waste of space.

[Anonymous]

One time I went into the bathroom and dropped a wicked deuce and while it was in progress some bums came in there and started complaining about the stink. This amused me -- "now the shoe is on the other foot, loser."