How to ensure no one visits libraries?

[daffodilandtulip]

I took toddler to the library today, to find a handwritten note on the door to say it had moved. We were only here before the holidays!

Anyway, we headed over to the new one, to the children's section. The books are in "troughs" on wheels, and were all pushed into a corner, so you could only get to a couple of sections. There was a huge arrangement of soft toys on top of the books. We started to look at the books, and the librarian rushed over and said "who's moved all the teddies" (they were still on top of the books, just moved around so we could read) so I apologised and asked if it was ok to choose some books or were they still arranging the new area. She said it was fine and the area was finished - but we kept having this bizarre huffing and rushing over to rearrange them if we touched them.

Toddler chose a book and went to sit on the kids playmat, where there were a few sensory type toys. Toddler started to play but everytime she touched anything, we had a repeat of this bizarre huffing and rearranging. Again I asked if it was ok to play, and she said it was

Finally, we gave up when the air con started dropping our heads and that was the end of our library experience.

I mean, it's hardly going to encourage children to read if they can't look at the books or touch anything? It's not a museum. We were being quiet, respectful, appropriate, gentle with the books - all we did was try to actually see the books. I don't get it.

Oh - one other point - every member of staff in my library had a degree and many also had qualifications in library work (I do myself). Library assistants are highly qualified people.

Yes I always thought they were highly qualified - and therefore interested and passionate about sharing a love of books/reading with children.

It's one person spoiling it for you, you've complained 'officially' and it seems that no one has taken any action so i'd go back.

I'd go back and if/when that specific person is there and if/when she starts the huffing i'd say something to her about it.

''Can i just say - you made me feel so unwelcome when i came in with [child] last time that i left early and didn't feel like returning .... but i have returned and i'd like you to let us enjoy the library without all this huffing over the toys please! Is there a customer feedback box here ... ?''

If no one else will do something about her behaviour speak to her directly. Don't be pushed out of the library.

If it’s a volunteered library they should have a poster up or something to tell you who is in charge or managed it / you could write to them . If it’s a council library they will have supervisor or manager around or even ask their name. I’d be speaking to them directly tbh. What a shame.

the local if funding given to LAs by central government is the reason for all this reduction in service by the way …. So you all have a choice to vote.

I worked in another connected field (archives) and the libraries were wanting post grad library qualifications but offering an absolute pittance in wages! So I can see why it might be something you'd consider because you didn't need the money.

Though they do that, unnecessarily requesting a degree (no particular subject, classification etc) with many jobs offering minimum wage. Probably because degrees are more commonplace and they think it's a minimum standard (though that's been discussed on other threads)

Most arts and heritage jobs are like that @inisisle . There are some sectors where pay appears to be optional. I will further add that quality in the archives sector will fall off a cliff, once the highly qualified retirees who currently do most of the work for free on their pensions die off.

I don't think that's true in most municipal libraries any more OP. In our local children's library, the librarian hadn't heard of Roald Dahl. I was astounded and so was DS!

Oh wow that's a bit embarrassing!

It's so sad to see this.

I'll definitely be back, we normally go every month or so, and then it won't be "new" anymore so I won't feel bad challenging them!