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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think toddler time is a basic part of a library service...

102 replies

stella1w · 26/09/2011 22:06

I think a library should be able to spare someone for 30 mins a week to read stories to toddlers etc as part of their basic service as it helps with pre-literacy etc etc.
Now to help cut the massive council deficit, parents are being asked for a donation (under a headline of CHARGES on the poster) at toddler time.
I'm on unpaid maternity leave and while I will happily just not donate, think it sends out the wrong message to other hardup mums who may just decide not to take their kids along.

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 26/09/2011 23:12

but storytime wouldn't HAVE to go if people were willing to make a donation to keep it open would they??

that's the whole point.

people want everything for free, they use and abuse services and then when people say "actually, we can't do this any longer" they run around sobbing about how unfair it is

if you want to support your local library and see it being used as a community space then why is it such a huge deal to pay the fucking donation???

or is it only a valid and much-need service if it's free? Hmm

we have a similar situation here with a big local park that is run by the council. it is kept beautifully, has a big animal park, big play area... and it's free. they just ask for donations. only, no-one donates and now they are being forced to sell bits off... cue mass hysteria at park being sold.

IMO people who can afford to donate to things like this SHOULD. that would enable those who are less well-off to attend as well.
but hey, let's not be too community-minded about it eh?

thisisyesterday · 26/09/2011 23:13

kitty i figured that they might have done other stuff... answered the phone, put some books away... you might not have noticed.

unless you were watching them the entire time?

thisisyesterday · 26/09/2011 23:15

and you still haven't answered the question.. if you feel that the staff in your library have so much spare time then why don't you ASK THEM why toddler time has been cancelled?

oh and to clarify the point earlier
"stella1w Mon 26-Sep-11 22:32:37
interesting... last time I went there were about 20 parents at toddler time, so if that 20 quid is going to make a dent in the budget deficit, good luck to the council. "

it won't stella. but it would pay for a library assistant to sit and read to your kid wouldn't it?

KittyFane · 26/09/2011 23:16

Point is, libraries are not free are they? The breakdown on my council tax bill tells me I pay for it.

halcyondays · 26/09/2011 23:17

Yanbu.

Kladdkaka · 26/09/2011 23:17

My frail elderly father was in hospital last week. My mum had to bed bath him as there weren't enough nursing staff to help him to shower. She also had to take in her own cleaning stuff to clean his table and the area around his bed which was filthy because there weren't enough cleaning staff.

And people are griping about their kids not having someone to read to them at the library. Hmm

KittyFane · 26/09/2011 23:18

Yes, I've asked- they said it was due to cuts.
BTW, parks are not free either.. Same reason.

GsyGacheFiend · 26/09/2011 23:21

YANBU (and i'm a library assistant). Charging for storytelling is Sad.
Do they provide a drink and Biscuit during the session?
If they do then I think they are entitled to ask for a donation.

KittyFane · 26/09/2011 23:23

Gay, I'd agree with paying for that absolutely

KittyFane · 26/09/2011 23:23

Gsy- sorry, bloody phone!

GypsyMoth · 26/09/2011 23:25

Food and drinks in a library??

GsyGacheFiend · 27/09/2011 00:06

Yep, our toddlers always get a drink and biscuit after storytime Smile

KittyFane · 27/09/2011 07:03

Thisisyesterday (goodmorning) So...in answer to your previous post:
it's people like you that force things like this to stop. with your TAKE TAKE TAKE attitude. really, you don't think the service is even worth a donation???? if they had charged to start with it probably wouldn't have to be stopped now would it?
How did you think that this wonderful 'free' service was paid for (out of interest?)
You seem to think that parks are kept and maintained 'for free' too?

So, now that I have reminded you of this little fact and tell you that our family contributes a good few thousand every month in various form of tax to pay for all of these 'free' services (might as well throw schools, hospitals, the police etc into the 'free' mix as well)

Can you now understand why I don't think that I should have to contribute further?

Chandon · 27/09/2011 07:10

yabu, it is NOT a basic need, come on!

KittyFane · 27/09/2011 07:32

When did public services become just about public 'need'?
That would surely wipe out the new play park, beautiful hanging baskets, flower displays, market halls, community centres in my local town.. All preferable to have but not an urgent 'need'.
Are you saying get rid of the lot?!

HappyMummyOfOne · 27/09/2011 07:47

YABVU, you dont want the service to stop but neither will you make a donation to allow it to continue. It cant be that valuable to it if you wont make a small donation.

Cuts have to be made and losing story time is far better a cut than losing something from a school or hospital budget.

KittyFane · 27/09/2011 07:56

Who doesn't make a donation?!!!
WE ALREADY BLOODY WELL PAY FOR IT.
Will you be donating money towards a local school in deficit .. In future?

Adversecamber · 27/09/2011 08:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kladdkaka · 27/09/2011 08:51

Who doesn't make a donation?!!!
WE ALREADY BLOODY WELL PAY FOR IT.
Will you be donating money towards a local school in deficit .. In future?

No we don't, that's the problem. It's been paid for on tick.

Sirzy · 27/09/2011 09:02

I love taking ds to toddler time and if needed I would happily pay for it. I would rather pay a few quid for that than for a "playgroup" personally. Our toddler time sessions include a craft activity so i would happily donate towards to cost of that if needed.

thisisyesterday · 27/09/2011 09:19

"Thisisyesterday (goodmorning) So...in answer to your previous post:
it's people like you that force things like this to stop. with your TAKE TAKE TAKE attitude. really, you don't think the service is even worth a donation???? if they had charged to start with it probably wouldn't have to be stopped now would it?
How did you think that this wonderful 'free' service was paid for (out of interest?)
You seem to think that parks are kept and maintained 'for free' too?
"

i was referring specifically to story time. not the library service as a whole, you loon Hmm

and if you think that what you pay in council tax actually covers even the BASIC library service then you are seriously deluded.

thisisyesterday · 27/09/2011 09:20

and yes, we already make voluntary donations to ds1's school thank you very much.

and i happily donate to the park I mentioned further down.

BatsUpMeNightie · 27/09/2011 09:29

Speechless at this thread. At a time when public funds are so depleted the OP is mithering that someone else won't read to her child? Read to your own child - that's your job! Set up a group with other mothers and do group stuff. So being so bloody entitled.

As for the person with enough time to watch a library assistant and log their activity for an hour - words absolutely fail me. That hour could have been spent so much more productively

GypsyMoth · 27/09/2011 09:36

Batsup......agree!agree!!

BatsUpMeNightie · 27/09/2011 09:40
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