Hi all,

I have nothing in particular to go on except personal experience and
many years in the FE sector.  I have learned, quite often the hard way,
that if you 'make a big thing' out of behaviour issues it can easily
blow up in your face and will only make matters worse.  There will be
learners that see this as an opportunity to try and get a reaction from
library staff.  

For me, poor language/behaviour needs to be tackled on a case by case,
moment by moment basis.  After all just how many students are actually
f-ing and blinding in the learning environment?  It'll only be a small
minority.

I don't think any 'materials' would be successful.  The answer is simple
staff need to proactively deal with any poor behaviour (including
swearing), what ever and whenever it is; it is the only way to create a
conducive learning environment.  For me this works when it is done
discretely, one to one, possibly even with humour when the situation
allows, by a having a quiet word in with the individual to respectfully
say, "you can't use that language in here".  

It is vital to allow the student to maintain their dignity as far as
humanly possible.  I can of course think of several occasions when this
has not happened, but as a rule of thumb it works, but there are always
exceptions that prove the rule .... we can but try

Swearing is common, but 99% of your students will already know that it
is inappropriate in a library and the great majority would probably
comply should someone politely ask them not to.  

Putting up a poster and referring students to it feels like a cop out
and seems to be blowing the problem way out of proportion. 

Air-Soap-Box firmly put to one side ...

Gill



-----Original Message-----
From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and
discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bev Vaughan
Sent: 12 May 2011 10:11
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Calling FE folks - how do you deal with inappropriate language?

Greetings all

As part of a college-wide initiative, we have been asked to lead on
promoting appropriate language within the learning environment (in other
words: stop people swearing).  Has anyone working in a general FE
college dealt with something similar and be willing to share good
practice?  I am being encouraged to put up posters, which I am not happy
about as they are pointless expect as a point of reference (and probably
in this case also ridicule) but if you have any successful materials you
can share I would be very grateful.

Many thanks.  I hope the sun is shining on you like it is here on the
Island.

Bev Vaughan, LRC Manager
The Isle of Wight College
Medina Way
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TA
Tel. 01983 550789
Email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

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