Library story time overtaken by local private school

[southpacific]

Has this happened to anyone else? A group I have recently started to attend has 20 pupils bussed in from the a local private school to listen to story time. They completely cover the carpet leaving no room for anyone else to sit or answer questions the librarian poses about the books. I don't know if it's possible to stop this but it seems a bit odd. Can't they get someone at their school to read to them? Or could we go and join their reading groups at their school?

It does seem a bit odd, but not a lot you can do. A local (private) nursery often used the Bounce and Rhyme I used to go to.

Could you ask the library to do 2 story time sessions a week due to the demand?

Many schools use libraries. It's not just the reading of the story they go for - it is using the library, speaking to the librarians, etc.

But if it is now too busy - could you suggest to the library that there is demand for a second group?

And the librarian should be ensuring all the children, not just the school, are answering questiobns.

Libraries are at risk - any encouragement to get lets of outside groups using them should be seen as a positive tbh.

It's a good idea to suggest a second group. Tbh I think it's more to do with numbers and I would object to a state school or nursery taking over the group. The fact that the school is private is relevant only insofar as I know it would have the resources to organise something similar elsewhere. I think it's difficult for the librarian, who isn't a trained teacher, to ensure all children answer questions, especially when they are such a dominant group.

Just because it is an independent school doesn't mean it has loads of money laying around waiting to be spent, nor does it mean they have a massive library they can use. They are as entitled to use the local services as anyone else, to be honest - just as much as you and your child.

But if it is too crowded - then see if another group can be arranged.

Trouble is there have been many cuts in libraries and some of this is because not enough people are/were using them - especially during the day. So staffing has also been cut down.

There is nothing to stop you having a discreet word with the teacher and asking them to be a bit more considerate of other users I suppose