Not being involved in an "urban" library I can only comment on the situation of the one where I am the President of the Board of Trustees.

We have some disabled people (mentally---if that is the term) that come in regularly for programs and also to assist our Children's Librarian in certain tasks.   Others come in for sessions with our facilitator of discussions for people with learning disabilities.

Frankly, the only problem we have ever had was with "alleged" "normal" people using our internet facilities to view pornography. They are expelled and barred from any future use of the computers. Since the computers are in open view I have taken that action a number of times when I was in the vicinity.

Funding is the main problem as it is with most facilities.   We rely on tax dollars and fund-raising. Happily, this is an area where people are very intent on good library service.

As to urban libraries. I can only give anecdotal evidence of my own observations while visiting some and also the reports of several interviewees we had for a Director's position that came from such places.

Personally, I have been in a few NYC libraries and have not found any problems or some of the situations described above.   I should guess that if one or two arose---as they would---the proper authorites are informed to correct the situation.   The interviewees we had (all from New Jersey --it seems) just wanted less headaches but did not find the situations overwhelming---just annoying. One of our Board members who is a Director of a very prestigious library and has worked in NYC for a time pointed out that much depends on the handling of situations by the Director and the policies he or she has set in place



Bill Hahn