Annoyed with private tutoring in public libraries

[BeingFluffy]

Just visited my local library - both adult and junior. They are both rather small and cramped.

In the adult library the section I wanted to look at was completely blocked off as a tutor and her tutees were plonked in front of it. I saw two other tutors with tutees in there as well.

In the junior library it was even worse. Both sets of tables and chairs were in use by a tutor and tutees. We we unable to look at the books we wanted to.

I did mention it to the staff and they said it concerned them but they weren't sure what to do about it, although the council's by-laws do ban commercial activities/businesses from running in the library.

Surely they can find somewhere else - failing all else there are plenty of coffee shops around and probably quieter.

So, not only are they using the free premises to run their business, they are using the free library books. Win/win for them!

I think it's harmless.

I can't see the problem. Cecily. they could go and get the books out and take them home if they wanted. I don't think the tutor should be expected to buy a copy of all the books that they may need once. Plus both tutor and child's family have paid their dues to enable the library to be there.

Use it or lose it isn't that what they say?

I agree with Cecily, if you ever want to change something, you have to put it in writing and address someone higher up. That is the only way IME that you ever get results.

To whoever said the library should grow a pair and make sure there is space for 'genuine library users': In what way is a tutor looking at books with the kid they are tutoring not a 'genuine library user'?

Because they are earning a living apparently Hideous. That is not allowed unless in the tutor's home or the child's home you see. Free business premises and free books. Shocking.

Why should we have to ask them to budge up? If children / adults are having to sit on the floor while they spread all over a huge table it should be pretty obvious they are taking more space than they should!

The ones I have seen were not using library books or materials. They were using printed sheets, laminated flash cards, etc, which they had brought with them.

It is not the end of the world, but it does detract from our library experience.

I've never heard anything like this. My mum is a private tutor and all her kids see her at her home. My kids go to a private tutor at the tutor's house. It would never occur to me to question this. These people are taking the piss and the council should enforce its own by-laws.

I think I've seen this in our local library. I thought it was really weird. I ws reading to dd2 and some one was doing "measuring" with this boy. I didn't like it.

Well, you ask them to budge up becuase it's a public space and needs to be shared. Yes, they are being inconsiderate if it's all spread out but you can speak. You don't have to sit on the floor and get cross.

As for this grow a pair nonsense, these are librarians we are talking about, not some sort of gangsta rappers.

How do you know that they were private tutors and tutees. Parents who are home-educating their dcs are encouraged to use the libraries and the learning resources there. Sometimes this may be done in a group as parents may "swap" expertise with others.
My OH did once try to "book" the library to run a course and was told that this was not allowed under the by-laws quoted so it looks as if this isn't possible either.

OTheHideous - it was me. I suppose you could say that the tutors are genuine library users, inasmuch as they are using the space provided for study. But on the whole, study in library is an individual thing, done quietly and, often, using the library's books, PCs etc. I think that is different from, effectively, using it as rent-a-desk, for the delivery of lessons, which prevent other people from accessing the library services.

I strongly believe that the way forward for libraries is to become centres of learning. So the usual books and computers, but also resources for HE, schools and students, courses, talks, exhibitions and so on.

I love libraries. I worked in them for a couple of years, and am seriously considering doing m MA in library and information studies. I think they need to diversify from just lending books and I'm not convinced many of them do.

So yes, tutors, HE, etc absolutely fine. But, like all users, they need to be fair and share the resources. I would ban people actually asking people to sign up for stuff, but once people are signed up, do your tutoring where you like, imo.

BrittaPerry

I made the OP as I don't think it is acceptable for someone's business actitivies to cause inconvenience to other library users. My DH has an MA in Information Management and works in a public library and he doesn't think so either. I previously worked in an academic library.

The future of this library is to a large extent measured on the amount of books and materials borrowed - I was physically blocked from doing so last Saturday by the tutoring sessions going on as were my children.

Ironically this library has had to end its homework club because of funding cuts.

I have no idea where you live but the majority of public libraries in central London where I live have diversified, so I am quite surprised to read your comment about them being restricted to lending books.

Yes our library does tons of stuff and has diversified so well. It has lots of courses for adult and children. Lots of groups. its a one stop shop too. The librarians have been trained. There are exhibitions, book groups for all ages. Local history, adult literacy. But I draw the line at home schooling in the library. When there is another kids group going on at the same time. As well as great choice in books and dvd's for just borrowing. Our local library is a vibrant place that is definitely routed in our community.

I did say something nfk.

OP, Why do you take the attitude that the children who are being tutored do not have any right to the space in the Library? It is very selfish of you to define the purpose of the library as solely for those who wish to take out books! The library has historically been a quiet place for pupils to learn in - the fact that you actually lodged a complaint against the tutors who are helping the children of that local community is clearly because you had a bee in your bonnet about not being able to reach certain books - why did you simply not ask the person to MOVE? If you would have said 'excuse me', you would have had access to your books. To attempt to undermine the learning of several children, because someone deigned to be in your way is extremely selfish and narrow minded. Why does it irk you so that a legitimate service is being rendered, e.g., teaching and learning - why are you convinced that these pupils (who probably live locally) are not entitled to have the quiet space to learn in and that only people who want to take out books are deserving? You seem to be dismayed that it is a 'commercial business' - why does this concern you so much - isn't the fact that children are being educated and/or assisted to overcome their academic weaknesses in a safe environment not a good enough reason to chill out about this?

the fact that you actually lodged a complaint against the tutors who are helping the children of that local community is clearly because you had a bee in your bonnet about not being able to reach certain books

You make it sound like the tutors are doing out of the goodness of their own hearts. They are not; they are running a business. It may be a legitimate service but other people providing legitimate services on a commercial basis usually hire premises to meet their clients.

Not all the tutors in libraries are private tutors . My DD has a tutor at the moment as due to health issues she cannot attend school . Our tutor does some of her sessions in the library ( not just with my DD ) and she does it so that the children get out and about a bit / meet up with other tutees and hence are less isolated . YABU to be so judgemental , I pay my taxes the same as you so why should my DD not be entitled to use the library.

We're talking about kids here who are getting extra lessons, so that they can keep up with their peers in class - they certainly have a right to be in the library with someone who can help them make the progress they need. What difference does it make that the person helping them may be getting paid - does that diminish their right to be there in the library helping the kid who may need help, but cannot travel to the tutor's house and/or cannot provide their own home for tuition.
So...someone couldn't reach the books because a 'nasty' tutor was in the way... Do you complain because someone is in your way, or do you politely ask them to move over so that you can access whatever it is that you need? Surely the latter would be the common sense approach - not to vilify the pupils who are endeavouring to overcome any academic difficulties they may actually have..

The library is a place of learning and when someone, who just wants to check out a book, starts to complain because the kids who are learning are in their way, it is just wrong!

The library is a place of learning and when someone, who just wants to check out a book, starts to complain because the kids who are learning are in their way, it is just wrong!

Pretzels, libraries are there to lend books and materials, not to provide a space for private tutors to give lessons. They get funded on the basis of the materials they lend out - no more lending - no more library - that is their primary function - at least to the council who funds it.

The tutor in question who prompted the complaint was not using library materials but giving a maths lesson.

In all there were three groups of tutors and tutees in the adult library and more in the childrens'. They had taken up all the tables put there for private study or reading.

So someone who "just wants to check out a book" is wrong??? You are talking shit. The library will end up closed because people cannot borrow the books or materials and the council will say it is underused.

Libraries should be places of learning but the council has already closed the homework club in that library, why? Because that branch does not lend out enough material so they get a smaller budget to buy material and then lend out even less.

There are various coffee shops in the area - the tutor could have gone there or hired a room from the council.

When I attempted to get the books I wanted the tutor just went tsskkk. The students would not move. They were blocking off a whole section and in the end I left with nothing. That is why I spoke to the staff. I would have ignored them otherwise. The staff confirmed with them that were were private tutors charging for their services.

Further, "Being", your suggestion that a child go to a coffee shop to do their studies is ludicrous. Do you really think that a caffe is an appropriate learning environment - I shudder to see how your kids study...

Moreover, "Being Fluffy", if libraries are for the sole purpose of 'lending books', as you insist, then that would qualify the Reference Library sections as inappropriate - if we are to follow your train of thought...that can't be right!

So the tutor went 'tssk', the children didn't move, are you normally such a walk over? These are resources for everyone to use. A jolly 'you need to actually move so I can get to the books children', might have worked. Failing that, asking the tutor if she needs you to fetch someone as it isn't right to prevent access to a whole section. I think a lot of other people would have walked out with the books they wanted!

The library is there to be used, sounds like you were cross because it was busy.