To be annoyed that the library turned into a kids play area?

[Camdenlife33]

My local library went under some renovations and has finally reopened. It’s a small library and the renovations seem to be an addition of a ‘little ones’ cafe and play area.

The only floor of the library, and so the only area with seating/computers, is now shared with a kids cafe and play area. It’s open plan, so the kids area is seconds away from the ‘quietest area’ of the library. The library is filled with under 5s shouting and darting around. It isn’t a general murmur of background noise, it’s actual screams/shrieks and kids running around and playing IN the library. I’m sure you can imagine what 30+ toddlers together in a play area sounds like - I thought I was at the wrong place.

I genuinely can’t focus. I’m in 3rd year uni and I came to the library to work on my dissertation before work. AIBU to find this unacceptable? It’s strange as there is both a university and a level college in walking distance to this library - I wonder why they didn’t take their visitors who would like to work/study/read in peace into account, and instead essentially turned the library into a kids play building.

(I have already left the library btw)

Paris I find snp policies much more society centred, and it's well known that Scottish people are more into society than the English, We're pretty selfish essentially.

I'd love to come live there but, work. Plus, would you have us

Seems like some people don't want children anywhere. Cafes, restaurants, public transport, libraries. Where CAN we take our kids where people won't complain?

Why are there two extremes? Take your children to/on all of the above and teach them to behave appropriately for each.

You should definitely come @KittTheCar, I'll get the kettle on ;)

@KittTheCar that is beautifully put.

Wtf how is saying that a library is not the right place to put a children's play area (of the running around shrieking type) akin to saying young children are not welcome in libraries?

Young children have always been welcome in libraries, most had a children's library area with little chairs and stuff. Then things like rhyme time were held there.

Hyperbole much?!

(re. civilised society)

Paris, I will discuss with DH, the kettle might need to be on the boil for a while though!

These are Bookbug sessions which go on in libraries
www.scottishbooktrust.com/bookbug/bookbug-sessions
Please note: no shrieking, no running around, and encourage a love of books at an early age

Even though I sympathise with libraries having to diversify, I'm with the OP am afraid (and I say that as a parent to a 5 yr old who uses her local library).

Young kids need a quiet space to read too. I see so many primary school age kids trying to learn to read with parents or do their homework in the children's section of the library whilst other kids run riot (while their parents sit glued to their phones).

But then our library has a separate room and even a garden for toddler/kids events so there's no excuse.
The library really should be a quiet (not silent!) space for encouraging kids to read, giving kids who might have little space at home a quiet place to do homework.
That isn't compatible with a playground or soft play zone.

Contrary to some other posters I've never felt short of welcome places to take dd when she needs to use up some energy.
But then we live in grotty, dangerous, awful London (with its superb libraries it appears

Thanks msjuniper.

It's all so distressing.

Seems like some people don't want children anywhere. Cafes, restaurants, public transport, libraries. Where CAN we take our kids where people won't complain?

No-one has said kids should not be allowed in libraries!

Just not badly behaved little shits whose parents give zero fucks about how their kids are disrupting other people.

But kids have loads of options already. In my area in addition to the play parks everywhere, there are free mother and baby/toddler sessions, free swimming for parents and babies/toddlers, free access and events for children to many local museums and galleries. Then there’s the events and activities every school holiday, free festivals, craft things, sports things. There is little provision for childfree adults.

I am pro kids in libraries but they don’t need another play area. They need story time, and competitions based on reading, and if there’s a specific area where they won’t disturb everyone else they can have Easter egg hunts, or singing time or whatever.

Snowagain-

That's unfair. The council have created a play area of the running around shrieking type and invited parents to use it. Of course they're going to use it.

Issue is council deciding that it's a good idea to put this in library in first place.

I suspect it's a medium term tactic to drive out traditional library users, so they can justify shutting it.

Dameof-

Be careful! I am in London and I think OP is too if her username is a clue.

A library is a public space. A child friendly area should not be licence for children to treat it as a playground. It is also giving the children a false idea of what a Library is. IME small libraries which have a children’s area have not had children running and shrieking but children quietly reading or listening etc. Sure there is often raised voices when younger children ask questions etc, that is to be expected and is not particularly disruptive. The OP may have the option of going to an alternative Library but what about local school children who don’t have a quiet space at home to do their homework or study? With increased housing problems more young people are sharing cramped living space.

I have 2 toddlers. They both love the library but they know not to run around shouting and disturbing people. The groups that go on (rhyme time, lego, etc) have little rooms to go into so they don’t disturb. I don’t think that everything should be geared towards children running and playing and doing what they like. Why should they be? There are plenty of places for them.

I’m not saying libraries should be silent but they should still be respected spaces. If I get time to myself to go and spend half an hour looking at books do I want to be disturbed by toddlers running riot?? Nope definitely not!

Who cares if someone could use their uni library? What about the rest of us? Are we not entitled to somewhere to sit and read/study/use Internet/research etc?

I took my two in last week and was when a woman followed me in with 3 children and sat them down with snacks and drinks. It’s a library, we don’t have a cafe, children don’t need to eat and drink everywhere they go (especially not the pre schoolers that these were and the mess they made). I’m amazed at the lack of respect by some parents these days.

Libraries stopped being for adults ages ago
I stopped going too

When there were local matches to "save our libraries" I didn't join. I'd have happily tried to save the quiet study libraries I used as a child but I've no interest in preserving yet another free hang out for noisy children.

Sorry you had this OP. I'm actually chatting on the philosophy board about how to set up a quiet community. Modern life is batshit with screaming children everywhere. The day I decided not to use the library any more was the day someone brought children in with those shoes that make a noise with every step.

Libraries stopped being for adults ages ago
I stopped going too

When there were local matches to "save our libraries" I didn't join. I'd have happily tried to save the quiet study libraries I used as a child but I've no interest in preserving yet another free hang out for noisy children.

Sorry you had this OP. I'm actually chatting on the philosophy board about how to set up a quiet community. Modern life is batshit with screaming children everywhere. The day I decided not to use the library any more was the day someone brought children in with those shoes that make a noise with every step.

The university I worked for until recently is not a member, so those students cannot access the libraries of other universities. Oh! I've always been given access, though I sometimes have to sign up as a day visitor. But I have never been refused access to the space, tables and books within a Uni library. I just can't access the computers, online stuff or take anything out!

I thought that was normal. None of the Uni librarians I have spoken to have said otherwise. Have I just been lucky?

(I travel round a lot and tend to stop in wherever I am when I have a couple of hours to fill. My work and laptop go everywhere with me)

Running around a library shrieking will not instill a love of books and reading.

^ This in spades.

Of course it is a good thing to encourage children to use libraries and story-time, special activities and a bit of background babble is fine. But they should also learn the difference between a play area and a library.

Same really with the church-going thread. Fine to have a corner with books and toys and a tolerance of a little chatter. But I don't see how allowing a child to run amok and shriek during a service is likely to make them more inclined to worship when they are older!

It’s strange as there is both a university and a level college in walking distance to this library

Why are you not using the uni library then?

Sounds lovely 😊

YANBU.

Most libraries have play areas / activity areas for kids these days but the general rule of respectful, quietness still applies. Sounds like someone isn't bothering to parent to me 🤔

I really hate this attitude that because libraries need young families to come and use them, other users have to put up with shouting, screaming and running around.

When I was a child we were brought to the library regularly, as were most of my friends. There was no way that we would have been allowed create a racket.

Surely parents bringing small children to the library should also be teaching them how to use it properly and how to show consideration to the other people who are trying to read, choose books etc.

It's a shame how some young parents think that 'family friendly' means that they and their children take precedence and everyone else has to just put up and shut up.