Sanitary products in library

[dogsdinnerlady]

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.

Dark I worked in a library too until my health took over, definitely agree there are some horrible people out there. We had the vandalism, major fights break out etc too, I used to dread my late shifts as they were hell due to one charming group of teens Nice warm brightly lit central location for organised violence. With a side of books. :o

I maybe misunderstood, but I thought the idea is that you have to ask for the products, it won’t just be left out. Which might help a bit hopefully. That’s why I said about having to be desperate to ask, although there could be people that make a habit of asking for fun. There will be people who ruin everything.

I do wonder how much of the stock left out in schools is actually used rather than just taken for kicks, but I’m glad it’s available. Having said that the school where DCs do dance classes have some in their accessible loo and that’s never empty (no idea if it’s just not used or regularly restocked though). I’m not sure what’s better - have it freely available but risk huge loss of stock, or have it behind the counter where people might be too ashamed to ask :(

I misunderstood you then PegLeg, sorry. Some people do talk about the great social barrier that having to ask raises as the only priority. There are limits to what anyone can do.

Schools are different I think, they have more control over who is in the building and what they do there.

Thanks dark yes good point the schools have a much narrower range of people, I’d not thought of it that way.

Loved working in libraries generally but really don’t miss that aspect of it TBH.

This isn't just about poverty though is it, it's also about compassion. I don't care if the woman asking in the library has £500 in her purse to spend on whatever she likes, I would hate for her to suffer the indignity of leaking because Boots or wherever is a 10 minute walk away. We all know how horrendous it feels.

Are people actually this ignorant?

If this is a real question- you are being very unreasonable and frankly a fairly rubbish person.

It's a great idea.
As a kid my father was a useless shit, spent all money on pokies and booze. Come that time as a 12 yr old I couldn't ask for sanitary items, there was no money and he didn't care. So I stole them, used rolled up toilet paper. I'd refuse to leave the house during my period as leaks were common and humiliating.
Then at 15 I was homeless thanks to my father, again, I had to steal, beg, or use tissues or toilet paper.
Being able to duck into a library and get a proper sanitary item would have been awesome, like I was thought of as a person, a small bit of dignity.

Anyone who thinks this is a bad idea obviously have NO idea what some kids endure. Only the heartless think this is a bad idea

Early twentieth century some libraries distributed free milk for children. Always been useful to use public services for efficient distribution of welfare.

squeekums ☹️
This very reason is why I am coordinator for my towns branch of The Red Box Project.
If we could stop one girl having to suffer like that it's worth ut

Slight hijack, but can I just remind everyone to use their local library? With so many closing it's really helpful if more people would use their services, to help in the fight against closure.

Our library offers free downloadable magazines, audio and e-books, as well as lots of fantastic groups and facilities. And not forgetting the incredibly knowledgeable and lovely library staff 😁.

Libraries are a refuge and source of help and comfort for our society's most vulnerable. Please don't let this disappear.

And if you haven't visited your local library for years, please go in and join up.

Our local library has this. It is run by a charity that delivers a box once a month. I used it once because for the first time in 3 years (I have the implant) I started bleeding out of the blue. The woman says it’s often used by homeless and school girls. I now take a pack to donate every time we go to toddler time.

I thought OP just meant people would be embarrassed to ask.
I don’t think I could ask. I know it shouldn’t be embarrassing. I’m probably in the minority but even now 30 years on I feel embarrassed buying them or having them in my supermarket trolley. I always hide them under stuff. I hope I’m in the minority and that most ladies would ask.
As a teen I didn’t tell my mum for a few years and used toilet paper or took the odd sanitary towel of hers. I had to tell her when she wanted to take me to the dr for not starting periods. My mum was always very open, so I’ve no idea why I’m not.

It doesn't come out of government money though.
I signed up last week with a charity to buy a packet of pads each month and they match it. A direct debit thing. There's lots of charities that deal with period poverty. I'd be more than happy if they went to a library for the homeless to use. But as I write this, I realise how sad that statement is :-(

With everyone saying that people also go to the library because it's warm, it's made me realise that probably the reason why it's so hot inside my local libraries.

Not sure why I didn't think of it until now as I've actually done exactly that.

I amongst many women have been caught out and not in a position to nip to the shop the thought of being able to ask somebody for one behind the counter would be so comforting in that oh fuck moment i personally can afford these things so would be giving a very nice donation to said lady to keep the scheme going and i assume that's how a lot of it is funded

"dogsdinnerlady

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."

Welcome to AIBU.

I think all girls and women should receive free sanitary protection. I bet if it was something men needed it would be free. Why should women suffer any embarrassment due to the cost of it? It’s a vital necessity.