[Young Adult and Children's Services Discussion List] Warm and Fuzzy Animals NOT Recommended

[Becky Farwick]

Please be sure to add this information to the presenters directory!  It is
important information to have.  Thank you for sharing.
Becky Farwick
YA Librarian
Newport Public Library <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.newportlibraryri.org&d=DwIBaQ&c=tSLbvWYfvulPN3G_n48TUw&r=L_-4KCeL1NFTCgbBWGLXptRx_tYoPpZbpMOWv0nrAy0&m=_iRVwpkPqVGcx7_XZU_8QzhkAI2QppG49ZAv63_gXRY&s=25QAXedfdTRgAPUUOBIByzWbpMHKUG6lw_Sn2Z36CyI&e= >
300 Spring Street
Newport, RI 02840
401-847-8720 x206

All for free. All for you.


On Wed, Feb 19, 2020 at 1:42 PM Kimberly Usselman <kusselman at gmail.com>
wrote:

> I'll third that.  I booked them a couple years ago when they were new
> (were they in a showcase one year?).  I remember not being very impressed
> afterwards, and having some communication issues with her.  I haven't had
> them back.
>
> On Wed, Feb 19, 2020 at 12:51 PM Renee Perron <rperron17 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I can second that. Had a similar experience when we hired her for a
>> program a couple years ago at the Pawtucket Public Library.
>>
>> Renee Perron
>>
>> On Wed, Feb 19, 2020, 12:39 PM Rashaa Al-Sasah <rashaa at wwpl.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi everyone,
>>>
>>> I just wanted to warn anyone thinking to book her for programming that I
>>> just had the worst experience with a presenter. Nancy was hired by Anne
>>> Mclaughlin just before she retired for a program this morning and she
>>> ensured and advertises that there is no cap on the audience, I had been in
>>> contact with her the past two months and we had discussed all of this prior
>>> to today. However, when she arrived this morning I was told we were only
>>> allowed 25 kids at a time and she would not budge on this, I offered her
>>> several options for seating as well as assistance from myself and
>>> other staff for the program but she refused. We had probably 150 kids show
>>> up which our room can accommodate and we have had animal performers in the
>>> past handle the large crowds like this without issue. At one point She even
>>> kicked several families out of the room but I insisted that they go back
>>> and there were still several empty seats in the room at this point. I asked
>>> if we could extend and have more kids in each session to
>>> accommodate everyone. She agreed but when I had a group of 50 kids come in
>>> for the second group she announced that there would not be any petting of
>>> the animals. Several people left at that point upset. I also had 75 more
>>> people waiting. She had agreed to do another group for $100 more but that
>>> was not going to work for me if she was not allowing them to pet the
>>> animals! So we had to turn away the remainder of the families. She was
>>> extremely rude to me, my staff and the families. She yelled at several
>>> little ones for getting out of chairs. It was really very bad overall. We
>>> are now having to do extra work apologizing to everyone for this as it was
>>> not what we had agreed to nor what she advertises on her presenter
>>> directory page.
>>> " Note: If the audience is large, we improvise and have a few
>>> presentations during the time allowed so everyone has a chance to pet the
>>> animals." Above is from her page however she told me that she would not
>>> be willing to accommodate everyone who was here and she also did not let
>>> them pet the animals. I also don't think she is well suited to work with
>>> young children as she wished everyone to remain in chairs and listen to her
>>> talk about how she breeds rabbits which she then told parents they could
>>> purchase from her. It was overall just a very terrible experience.
>>> I hope your February vacation is going better!
>>> Best, Rashaa
>>> --
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Rashaa Al-Sasah, MLISHead of Teen ServicesPronouns:She/Her*
>>> *West Warwick Public library *
>>> *1043 Main St.*
>>> *West Warwick, RI 02893*
>>> *401-828-3750 ext.2*
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> RIYAC mailing list
>>> RIYAC at listserve.ri.gov
>>> http://listserve.ri.gov/mailman/listinfo/riyac
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> --
>
> ~ Kimberly Usselman ~
>
> "Because that's what Hermione does,' said Ron, shrugging, 'When in doubt,
> go to the library." - J.K. Rowling, *Harry Potter and the Chamber of
> Secrets*
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> RIYAC at listserve.ri.gov
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