Honestly usually I love coming to this library, but earlier today was not the case. I believe I had security called on me and my younger siblings, for what would be no apparent reason. We went upstairs because I was showing my sister a novel I liked and was encouraging her to try it out. She declined, and so we were upstairs for less than 5 minutes. Upon starting to walk downstairs, I had a security officer and an older lady come hurriedly up the stairs and stop when they saw us, and he looked me directly in the eye and said, "thanks guys", before waiting for us to pass him and go back downstairs, and when I turned around and looked back up, he was watching us descend. He was also waiting around the stair area while my sister checked out her few books and walked behind us until we walked out of the building.
I am 19, so I know I look young, and my hair was up in a messy ponytail, which may also make it appear that I look younger. This should not make any difference however, as I know children are allowed upstairs. My mother takes my siblings upstairs all the time, as well as children she takes care of during the weekdays. We were not being loud or disruptive, and were wearing winter coats, so nothing was offensive or inappropriate.
I am extremely disappointed that it seems I was possibly judged by my harmless appearance, for whatever reason that may be. I work in the customer service industry, and I understand just how embarrassing and insulting it can feel to be judged based on appearance, which was how I was made to feel. I was genuinely taken aback.
If this is not the case and security was called for a different reason, it did not seem like it due to the reaction from the officer upon seeing us starting to descend downstairs, watching us, and following us out of the library.
Just something to take into consideration. I wanted to renew my library card today as I haven't had a chance to visit the library for a few months now, but I now feel uncomfortable and do not feel like I should return for a while.