Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sanitary products in library

217 replies

dogsdinnerlady · 15/03/2019 12:55

On the back of the loo door in my library this morning is a poster offering free sanitary products for anyone who needs them. Just ask at the desk, it says. Really? Who is going to do that? I see schools are going to provide free pads and tampons for all pupils soon. With libraries closing to save money and schools having to ask parents to pay for books, it seems the budget can accommodate free sanitary products for millions of women.
I am probably in the minority in thinking this is taking the welfare state too far.

OP posts:
SquigglySquaw · 15/03/2019 13:59

YABU. I think this is a great idea! I'm lucky enough to be able to afford sanitary products and I 99% of the time have them on me. This is great for homeless women, women caught short, women that can't afford them, women that are embarrassed to ask someone they know.

BloodyDisgrace · 15/03/2019 13:59

That is a great news, and I hope some people will ask at the library desk. Like someone said above, the homeless people. I suspect this initiative comes from the government announcement about schools providing free sanitary products. Maybe the libraries, as being a part of the budget, have some funds allocated for this, I don't know.

I think, given that some people have to spend 15-25quid a month on their periods (if they are heavy and/or long), and a lot can't afford that, plus the abominable situation of tax still existing on tampons/pads, this initiative, extended to libraries, is excellent.

Better still to end austerity (which makes people so poor they start thinking if they can afford this basic stuff)

GetStrongKeepFighting · 15/03/2019 14:02

The only thing wrong with this initiative is the fact that a young girl or woman has to ask for them. Some don't want anyone to know it's the time of the month for them. Of course, baskets of them can't be left in the loos as there will always be people who waste them or take more than the one or two needed.

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 15/03/2019 14:02

The whole point is it is not meant for women lucky enough to be able to afford sanitary protection it is for women who can not.

If women who can afford it choose to effectively steal from the poor then yes there will be an issue but hopefully those women would have enough morals to know better than that.

I grew up in a abusive house where I was only given access to only the cheapest sanitary protection which didn't actually work, (while mother had decent stuff) do you know how mortifying it is to use toilet paper because your too young to earn money to buy it yourself and you don't have an adult to ask?

By the sound of some of the opinions Iv heard on this subject some people have no fucking idea what the actual horrible reality of the world is for some people.

SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 15/03/2019 14:05

At Christmas, whilst doing my Christmas shopping in a local national store, they had the local food bank outside requesting items. I bought 3 bags of food stuff and one full bag of sanitary towels and tampons all in different flows- super, normal etc. I went out and handed over the three food bags, and then said I had a bag of sanitary provision. The lady who took it off me said they were very grateful as a lot of their donations were coming from ‘older’ ladies and gentlemen and they tended not to include that in the shop, so they were short of it to hand out. I can imagine someone not being able to receive any in their bags, and the relief that they or their daughter could pop into a library to get some, must be a huge relief. It will also help to keep more girls in school during their period. So I’m all for it!

Chloemol · 15/03/2019 14:06

Yes y are in the minority

Tomtontom · 15/03/2019 14:07

As usual, this thread provides a platform for fair and reasonable exchanges of views. Patronising, simplistic arguments and self-righteous comments on here plus abusive name-calling.

In other words, "no one agrees with me so I'm throwing my toys out the pram".

Chloemol · 15/03/2019 14:07

Yes you are in the minority

Lweji · 15/03/2019 14:10

Are you afraid they'll start giving full boxes of tampons or pads?

Surely they'll just hand out a couple for emergencies.

Would you rather women had to ask other people around or walk around with blood stains?

GoldenHour · 15/03/2019 14:14

Perhaps public toilets and toilet paper shouldn't be provided by that measure then? Why is it a step too far when it's for women?

Tomtontom · 15/03/2019 14:18

@Lweji Ours gives out full packs. They're provided by a charity and their aim is to reach people in poverty.

clairethewitch70 · 15/03/2019 14:19

What I think would be a good idea would be to give out to all girls in school a menstrual cup, which would last them a lot longer and good for the environment. As it would be given to all girls at a certain age, there would be no poverty stigma attached and would aid girls who cannot ask their parents.

Sweetpotatoaddict · 15/03/2019 14:19

Wish our library had a public toilet. Aldi has the only one in our town.
Agree that sanpro should be available, however perhaps a toilet for changing it might be the first step.

KurriKurri · 15/03/2019 14:21

Our library provides this service as well as a food bank service and a service where people can donate home knitted hats scarves and gloves for homeless people.
I contribute to all of these - they are all donated items. I always buy a pack of towels or tampons when I buy for the food bank.
It isn't the welfare state at all - I am ashamed that we have people living in such poverty in this country that they sleep rough or cannot afford basic items. Who would not want to help people in poverty ?
People in all sorts of situations use these facilities, women who have fled DV with their children and have nothing, people with mental health problems, young people who have fled abusive home situations and are living on the streets. There but for the grace of God go all of us.

The library manager is a friend of mine and she feels very strongly that the library is a central part of the community and that is hould be there to reach out to those in need, whether that is by providing emergency supplies, or just a warm place to shelter. She makes tea for anyone who comes in and people know they will be welcomed and given whatever assistance she can offer.

And of course - it shouldn't be necessary for women and girls to have to ask for free sanitary provisions, or for people to have to ask for food, because no one should be in poverty in a wealthy country like the UK, It is shameful.
But while there is a need, any place that tries to offer help, be it a library, a school, a church, (or even in my town some of the independent shops have free sanitary products) is to be encouraged and supported.

PCohle · 15/03/2019 14:22

Trying to do a nice thing for women in need.

What bastards.

Yabbers · 15/03/2019 14:24

Priorities. I'd happily sacrifice services so women can access protection if they need it.

If you were in a library and a woman leaked all over the chairs you'd presumably be bothered about that?

GinnyLane · 15/03/2019 14:27

I have been asked by women for a spare tampon, pad or painkillers plenty of times, and it would never occur to me to say no if I could help. Why would I? And that's just women with whom I come into contact, why would I not want that help and assistance available to and for all women?

Shame on society that sanitary products are seen as less important, more taboo, than any other vital, lifeline good.

I have a feeling that the very people who most object to this service would be the first to complain about the dirty, disgusting, unhygienic women who dare bleed on themselves...

kaytee87 · 15/03/2019 14:27

@clairethewitch70 that's a good idea but not all girls / woman want to or can use internal protection. I have only been able to use pads since my son was born 2.5 years ago.

Lweji · 15/03/2019 14:29

Ours gives out full packs. They're provided by a charity and their aim is to reach people in poverty.

That's fine. But surely it won't be the millions of women the OP seems to think.
And if millions of women need free sanitary products, then there's something very wrong with the UK.

PositiveVibez · 15/03/2019 14:32

Yabvu.

If men had periods ALL sanitary products would be free anyway.

I can't believe you think that free sanitary products could be a bad thing.

IHateUncleJamie · 15/03/2019 14:32

I am probably in the minority in thinking this is taking the welfare state too far.

Yep - a minority of one, at the moment.

Instead of pretending that we’re all attacking you, why not read the thread through with an open mind and think “Hmmm, maybe I am being unreasonable”. Or even donate some sanitary protection to the box in the library, or your local foodbank collection?

CheshireChat · 15/03/2019 14:33

Fewer libraries would be closing if more people went in and used them anyway.

cantbearsed1 · 15/03/2019 14:39

Yes how dare say homeless women be given free sanitary protection.

Birdie6 · 15/03/2019 14:43

My library has a free dispenser for sanitary products - you don't even have to ask. These products are donated - it says so on the dispenser. I'm sure that many homeless women would use libraries since they are safe, warm and offer plenty of things to do. The provision of free sanitary products there, seems pretty sensible and civilised to me.

Atthebottomofthegarden · 15/03/2019 14:43

What a good idea.

Our library doesn’t have a toilet and won’t let you use the staff one, even with young children. I get that librarians are not there to clean up the loos after horrible people leave a mess, but it’s a shame budget doesn’t stretch that far.

Swipe left for the next trending thread