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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not fill the form out for DD to have her own library card? (trivial)

222 replies

ASorcererIsAWizardSquared · 30/04/2015 22:49

DD (6yo, yr1) is going to the library with her class in a week, we've been sent home a form for them to have their own library card and been asked to fill it out and send it back in time for the trip.

I dont want to fill it out. I dont see the point in a 6yo having their own library card.

I have a library card, as does DH, we can take out up to 16 books on them at a time, the chances of DD ever visiting the library without me or DH are Zero.

AIBU to sent the permission slip back with the words "she doesn't need her own card, both me and her dad have one" on the card application?

OP posts:
Sagethyme · 30/04/2015 23:24

Oops exempt from fines that is!

MrsMook · 30/04/2015 23:25

Ds1 has had his card since being a little baby as the conditions are different. I didn't bother with Ds2 as I borrowed on DS1's, then I went back to work which made my free time and the library hours incompatible. Now he's a bit older, it would be more worthwhile if I could make it there.

I'm surviving the trauma of 4 leisure centre cards for 3 of us: 1 each for the DCs, and 2 for me as I use services in 2 councils Grin

Pipbin · 30/04/2015 23:25

What harm could come of it?
I see your point that you won't ever use it, so what is the problem if it gets lost?

Why do you want your child to be the only one without a library card on this trip?

ilovesooty · 30/04/2015 23:26

its not something that needs promoting in my house

but you can't be bothered to support an initiative that might encourage others even though you're a volunteer?

CaptainHolt · 30/04/2015 23:27

It's bizarre that you want your kid to stand there while all her pals get their cards out and she can't have one. It's also bizarre that you can't imagine her going to the library without you. She's 6 years, not 6 months.

BackforGood · 30/04/2015 23:29

Ditto what CaptainHolt and so many others said.

Why on earth would you want your child to be the one who is not given a card when all her classmates are ??? Confused

Can you really not envisage her beginning to take small steps to independence from now on? Taking their piles of books to the desk and handing over their card was one of the first things my dc could do "independently" - yes, you start it when you are there, standing 5' away, but they do it themselves, and they love it.

DoJo · 30/04/2015 23:30

Mine got a library card when I registered his birth! He loves is, and has a 'passport' which he gets stamped every time we go, earning him a certificate every so often. We have hundreds of books, he has hundreds of books, but he still loves having his own card and having an external incentive for him to read can only help as he gets older. Do you not think your daughter would like it?

Fairenuff · 30/04/2015 23:30

OP why are you asking?

WildRunner · 30/04/2015 23:30

I loved, loved, loved my library card when I was little! I came from a very bookish household with books galore on offer. But my library card was mine. It was for me to choose my books, not for them to be chosen for me. Noggin the Nog did terribly well out of me, as did What Katy Did later on in my life. Kids need to discover libraries for themselves, not under their parents terms. I never want to question a parent's choices, but I genuinely don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to give their child the choice of reading widely, making the wrong choices sometimes (but for free), but ultimately choosing to read. It's a great habit to build.

CallMeNancy · 30/04/2015 23:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CallMeNancy · 30/04/2015 23:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShatnersBassoon · 30/04/2015 23:32

The teacher won't think your walls are lined with plasma TVs instead of bookshelves if you allow your daughter to take her own card.

An extra bit of involvement with books can only be a good thing for a child. What happens when she's old enough to go to the library alone?

msgrinch · 30/04/2015 23:33

bizarre. just bizarre.

MardyBra · 30/04/2015 23:35

I just love the use of "trivial". I think this should catch on.

It's much for satisfying than lighthearted.

RescueRangers · 30/04/2015 23:36

Very good for library funding if their membership reflects their actual usage.

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 30/04/2015 23:39

Im 29 and I still have my first library card from when I was a few months old. It still works. Dd now has her own for the same library. DS is 6 mo and I will sort him a library card soon.

I think its nice they have their own. Plus the CM often takes them to the library so its handy for the kids to have their own.

MabelSideswipe · 30/04/2015 23:40

I have had a library card since I was 3 in 1976. My kids all got their own as toddlers too. Its nothing to do with how many books we own, its to do with having ownership of their choices and trying to foster a love of choosing, enjoying and loving books and looking after them too.

Original poster
ASorcererIsAWizardSquared · 30/04/2015 23:42

lighthearted annoys me, this is entirely trivial and unimportant.

Its triggered by my initial response on reading the letter earlier today, which was precisely 'what does she need one for? i have one and she doesn't go to the library without me'

i will take peoples thoughts on board and ask her if she wants one or not.

it'll have gotten lost before she makes it home though, i'd bet my bottom on it!

OP posts:
2rebecca · 30/04/2015 23:43

My kids had their own library cards. I don't see the disadvantage, plus at our library books on children's cards don't get fines if overdue.

Fumnudge · 30/04/2015 23:43

It ups the number of members so less likely to be threatened with closure (I was given a mini lecture by the librarian last weekend re 1yr olds own library card Blush)

PerspicaciaTick · 30/04/2015 23:45

YABU.
Why not allow her that tiny bit of independence that having your first library card brings you? It will probably bring her great joy and it is no skin off your nose at all. Just keep it in your purse next to your own card.

Original poster
ASorcererIsAWizardSquared · 30/04/2015 23:49

our library wouldn't close, its hugely busy and newly built in the last 2 years, they're attached to the local civic building, registrars office and sports centre, its pretty much at the hub of the whole town, fantastic place, i love it.

its why i never take books back late, i have to walk past the door to use the swimming pool, which i do regularly.

OP posts:
msgrinch · 30/04/2015 23:50

Why post then? you're so sure yanbu...

ShadowFire · 30/04/2015 23:51

I really don't understand why you wouldn't want your DD to have her own library card. Carrying around an extra card isn't all that burdensome.

My DC both had their own library cards by the time they were about 3 months old.

No fines for under 5's, reduced fines and reservation charges for children over 5.
When they get old enough to start picking their own books, if they go on a wild frenzy of library book selection, they can max out their own ticket on books and I've still got my own ticket all to myself for books I want to read.

Jomato · 30/04/2015 23:51

If you actually have enough time on your hands to not only think about this but to start a thread on it then you have way too much time on your hands. I'm really offended by this and i'm not sure why. It just seems like you really need to get out more and find something real to worry about.