[LMB] Libraries as 'safe places' (was: Re: OT: 1st SF)

[Tzivia Adler]

>  vulnerable children and
> marginalised people both gravitate to these areas.
> Also, the fact that these vulnerable groups both turn
> up there means that predators upon these groups *also*
> gravitate to libraries.
>

hmmm, never quite thought of it like that, but your right.

> So, as a general rule: young children left alone in
> public libraries = Very Bad Idea.
>
> Of course, an *older* child who knows to not get
> engaged with an unknown adult is often just fine to
> spend hours in a library, happily and in perfect
> safety.  It's the little ones who don't know yet that
> it isn't good to chat to the strange grownup who comes
> up and talks to them who we worry about.
>
> Raye
>
>

and here we get stuck on 'older'. how old is that?  in your state, is it 
leagal to leave a fifteen year old home alone?  a twelve year old?  nine 
year old?
i think i started this thread by saying my eleven year old sister took the 
four of us, down to the two year old, to the library.  is leaving an eleven 
year old in the library safe?  is a group safer than a singleton?  oh, the 
complexities.  it all just gets swept into one catagory:  kidz aloooooooone! 
the parents should be shot!

ziviya