Ralph Jaffe asked the trustees of the Baltimore County library system this week to allow recruiters inside libraries, but the board refused, reflecting a no-solicitation rule found in all Baltimore-area libraries and elsewhere. James Fish, Baltimore County library director, said the no-solicitation policy doesn’t single out recruiters, but also targets salespeople, campaign workers and activists seeking petition signatures.
“We had 5.6 million visitors to the system last year, Just imagine what it would be like to have salespeople or people pushing a political cause. Once we allow one group, you can’t stop anybody from doing it.”
Policy seems reasonable
If they can’t collect petition signatures inside, regoster people to vote inside (I have no problem with the library keeping voter registration materials – but no need for employees to man voter registration booths), or sell tupperware then it seems the policy is applied across the board.
I do think that there should be space made available for brochures for the recruiters, just as I feel there should be space available for voter registration materials, and Peace Corps brochures available.
If the policy is indeed applied across the board then it is fair. Certainly I would like to see recruiters in the library, but what is good for the goose is good for the gander. In all fairness, I feel people who are interested in a career in the armed forces (or more broadly the uniformed services if you include NOAA and USPHS) can find a recruiter if they wish to talk with one. If you can’t find a recruiter on the web, or in the phone book then perhaps a rewarding career at the fry machine would be better for you.