One Year Later - the difference that media attention has made

It was about this time last year that staff at the McPherson Square Library was dreading the arrival of warm weather and the problems that created over the previous two summers.  Warm weather meant a growing population of drug users coming into the park surrounding the library, setting up camp, and consuming drugs of all kinds, but mostly heroin.  Many of the staff members of North Philadelphia libraries were taking every opportunity to educate themselves on the epidemic and the use of the overdose reversal drug, Narcan.  Overdoses were occurring on the lawn in front of the library.  Several of those overdoses were reversed by our Adult/Teen Librarian, Chera.  Things are very different this year.  I asked Judi Moore, the branch head at McPherson Square to write an update.

One year ago, there was a “heroin village” in McPherson Square Park where drug users from the suburbs and out of state had taken over the park.  They were so entrenched that they even had pets living with them.  There was a tension between the users and the neighborhood.  Rock throwing battles erupted several times.  A library staff member witnessed a mother and her young child being robbed by one of the users. 

Because of strong support from library administration, the drug problem was mostly under control inside the library.  We had extra security guards on board, and the bathroom was closely watched by Project Home bathroom monitors.  We had not had an overdose inside the building in over six months.

Outside was a different story.  Overdoses in the park were daily occurrences.  On one particularly bad day the Recreation Department employee cleaning the park had to call 911 five times.  Our security guard kept watch over the park, and would yell in the door to bring the Narcan when he saw somebody was down. 

But, life went on in the neighborhood and in the library.  We were preparing an outdoor festival to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of McPherson Square Library.  That is when Mike Newall and his Inquirer column came into our lives and changed everything.  We had been writing emails and complaining about the users taking over the park and getting no help, except from Free Library administration.  Mike Newall came out to write a pleasant column about our anniversary, but instead wrote his column about the users on the lawn and the Narcan trained librarian saving lives.  It went viral.  The media descended.  We learned a lot about how the news media works—mostly about how much they copy one another.  We were covered by CNN, NBC, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, Library Journal, People, Readers Digest, and so many more.

So, how have things changed post- media invasion?  Once the spotlight was shining, things improved.  The heroin village was cleared out.   Bike police were stationed in the park.  It was decided that McPherson Park would be made into a safe haven for the neighborhood children.  With that in mind, individuals and groups who wanted to offer assistance to the opioid users were encouraged to provide those services someplace other than the park.  The police designated a location outside the park for feeding the users.  The media blitz also attracted help for the children.  A group called CADEKids volunteered to do support programs with the children so they could air their feelings about seeing drug use and overdoses.  Eagles player Torey Smith asked to come for a visit to read to children and give out free books.  Other Eagles players brought gifts at Christmas.

The park is looking much better without the trash and discarded needles from the heroin village residents.   Before the media discovered us our volunteer was picking up over 100 needles per day in the park.  Now it’s around ten.   The police are a presence in the park and in the library.  We have created a coffee station for them, and they use the library for breaks, shelter in bad weather, and as a place to write reports.  We have bike repair equipment that is part of our Maker Jawn program.  We share that equipment with bike officers.

Does this mean the drug problem is gone?  Unfortunately, no.  The neighborhood is still victimized by the opioid epidemic.  The out-of-towners now hang out at the Allegheny el station, riding up and down all day on the elevator.  You cannot walk anywhere in the neighborhood without being solicited to buy “works” and “loosies.”   It’s a rare day when I walk to the el and don’t see an ambulance.  I don’t know what the solution to this crisis is, but at least things are better in the library and in the park.  

Making a difference in North Philly - one librarian's efforts

A bit of background for those not in Philadelphia.  The library above is McPherson Square Library, which is in East Kensington, which is in the epi-center of the heroin epidemic.  

Every year, I ask each of my library managers to fill out a self-reflection questionnaire in preparation for their annual reviews. Below are excerpts from the reflections of Judi Moore, the manager of McPherson Square. When I initially read Judi's comments, I was reminded why it is we do this work.  It was rejuvenating. I've removed some names and added others.  I also removed comments not related to this particular topic.  Comments in parentheses are mine. I've added links to appropriate articles or information where possible.

Describe any new goals, responsibilities, or added challenges you have taken on in 2016

The opioid crisis added new challenges for all of us, particularly with the users in the bathroom. I had to learn a lot about heroin and the behavior of the users.  I’ve been reading a lot and watching documentaries.  I know more about heroin than I ever expected to know.

I agreed to serve on the SAC committee for Willard Elementary School.  This is a school and community liaison group. 

I agreed to try to help Willard School fill the gap of not having a librarian.  I go over to their library to do story programs for their classes.  They did ask me to come over to the school “two or three days a week to run the library as an auxiliary of your library.”  In other words, they wanted me to be their librarian. Obviously, I can’t spend half my time at their school, but you can’t blame them for trying. (Philadelphia School District has a total of eight librarians in their schools.)

Identify what you like most about your job.

I like working with the people in the community, both children and adults.  Even though this neighborhood has a lot of challenges for the residents, I enjoy working in this sort of community.  There is a sense of a real neighborhood and family as we watch children growing up.  Many who have succeeded and moved on to “better” neighborhoods come back to visit with their children.  I like that I have patrons here whom I have known for many years, and that I know many members of their extended families.  I enjoy working with the staff at Impact Services to help make the park a better place.  And, this year we have developed our relationship with Jose Benitez and Elvis Rosado at Prevention Point.  I love that we do the afterschool lunch program provided by the USDA, and the way that MPS staff and other FLP staff help Maria and her cousin feed the homeless.  I love our children.  They are, in many ways, unspoiled and excited to do almost any kind of craft or other project we suggest.  We have our regulars who come in every day, for their daily dose of attention, so we really get to know them and get attached to them.  It is so sweet to just have the time to talk to little people. (McPherson has a regular crowd of 40 - 55 children to come almost every day after school)

I am still a book person at heart.  I enjoy being around books.  I love that I have three ladies who come sit at my desk to chat about new books, classic books, favorite authors, etc.  I have one woman who is joining me in a challenge to read, or at least try, the books on a list of classics we found.  The FLP’s electronic resources excite me.  I love to tell patrons about Hoopla, Zinio, and Overdrive; and to show them how to access those resources.

Achievements

What are your most significant accomplishments and contributions in 2016.

What accomplishment and achievements are you the proudest of?

I am proud of the way that we have taken on the drug crisis.  (The location talked about in this article is just a few blocks away from the library.  The park surrounding the library is also a very popular spot for drug users.  Over 800 needles were collected in a one month period in late 2016.) With the support of Lynn Williamson, Jose and Elvis, and yourself, we came up with a plan that is working well for the bathroom.  I am proud of the logbook and procedures implemented to help us identify problem patrons.  (There have been numerous overdoses in the public bathroom at the library in the last year.  First they began requiring ID's to use the bathroom.  Then, they added a five minute time limit, which was very hard for the existing staff to monitor.  They now have two part-time bathroom attendants who collect the id, keep the logbook [this has really helped in the case of OD], and set the timer.  The attendants are provided through a partnership with Project Home.)

It took a while and lots of persuasion, but we are now seeing more police in the park and in the library.

What work are you performing that is outside the scope of your current job description?

I am giving out lunches when Maria is absent, and doing the associated weekly paperwork for the lunch program. 

I helped a graduate student from Jefferson hospital find senior citizen contacts in the neighborhood for a project she was doing.  This turned out to be more involved than I anticipated.  However, she rewarded us with medical toys, which the children have adored.  I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had my ears checked and my blood pressure taken.

I worked with a Cub Scout troop to distribute hats, gloves, and scarves to the neighborhood children.

Goals

What job-related goals would you like to accomplish in 2017?

Help our children and adults bridge the technology gap.  Our patrons are still not as tech savvy as they should be in the 21^st century.  They know how to play games, but they don’t know how to research, use Word to finish school assignments, download ebooks, etc.