Do you take your children to the local library?

[Legacy]

We go most Wednesdays, and I'm always amazed by how few parents and children there seem to be there.

Libraries are such a fantastic FREE resource, I often wonder what it is that stops parents from going?
Is it

• habit (i.e. were never taken as a child)
• convenience
• location

??

I just love it, 'cos the children feel that they aere 'getting something new' each week without me having to pay for it, it's obviously good for their reading/ education, and you don't end up with trillions of books all over the house. (We still buy books, but more often it's after first finding a type/ author through the library).

Anyway, if you want to get into the habit, I picked up a leaflet about a summer reading challenge kicking off all over the country from next weekend for the summer holidays - it's called The Big Wild Read, and kids can register for it, aim to read 6 books over the summer hols, and then get some goodies/ prizes etc.

More info here: The Big Wild Read

I used to go but stopped 'cos books were tatty, very limited choice and members of the public would tut disapprovingly at my ds's if they made a loud noise. Librarians were very nice tho'.

I've been tutted at in Waterstones by a member of staff as well. Bloody cheek. I've spent a fortune in there.

book choice is a bit crappy also, agree.

tbh, when I have factored in the bus fare, its much cheaper to BUY the books at jumble sales. So I do.

Libraries have the opportunity to offer fabulous shared reading opportunities. But generally they don't bother.

fillyjonk...what a spectacular name...where did you think that one up?

We obviously have very different libraries Fillyjonk! No tutting gargoyles at ours - lots of children's events/ displays and helpful staff.

Have to disagree with you on the noise thing though. I like to be able to look at books and read them with my 4 year old without some snotty tearaway rampaging about shrieking like a banshee

ahhh legacy, that would be my screaming banshee.

Sorry bout that !

the staff in our library is ok (one is a mumsnetter apparently, though i dont know which one)

its all the old folks which dont like the children

Yes because DD loves books.

I'm amazed about Fillyjonk's feelings on the library, ours isn't like that at all.

Admittedly the selection for grown-ups isn't terribly inspiring in ours, but I can always order things, and as far as ds is concerned we usually find something new.
Ours has a play corner too, with a toy kitchen (admittedly a bit grubby) and a good crawling area, with loads of toddler books in it.

I do think that children should be taught how to treat books (as in don't rip, scribble or stand on them), but that partly comes from familiarity. Petitfilou, maybe if you went to the library at a very un-busy time, and let them get over the novelty of it, so you could start to LOOK at the books a bit more and they would be able to choose the books. I know that OUR library staff would help you if asked, maybe yours would.

BTW all those who have trouble with losing library books, and renewing, We have a special box for the library books in ds's bedroom, and here in nottingham we can now renew online.

not read all but to OP
yes we go often, lovely child friendly libraries here open on Sunday too. lots parents and children most days

"Have to disagree with you on the noise thing though. I like to be able to look at books and read them with my 4 year old without some snotty tearaway rampaging about shrieking like a banshee"

legacy, in the nicest possible way, you started the thread wanting to know why people don't use libraries with young kids

THAT is why. Because normal child behaviour isn't tolerated.

(I do genuinely feel quite pissed off by libraries. They are a publically funded service. I don't think many of them take their responsibilities to the next generation seriously.

And - sorry to keep coming back to your comment, Legacy!, BUT-its the kids who are not well behaved (by a reasonable age) in a library who probably DO need them most.

Fillyjonk - I know what you mean - some libraries (and staff!) could be a bit more child friendly, but I still don't think the answer is to turn them into play areas.

I think parents of young children have a responsibility to show them how to 'use' libraries, and how to behave in them so that all users can enjoy their visit.

I agree libraries aren't sacred, but I do think they are should remain relatively controlled and calm environments.

'Normal chld behaviour isn't tolerated' - well, that depends what's classed as 'normal child behaviour' I suppose? And I guess that's where our thoughts differ!

Agree with you about the need for libraries to 'reach out' to communities which otherwise might not use them though (especially if parents don't use them/ take child etc). There are some good examples where this IS being done - such as Idea Store in Tower Hamlets: here

My local library is fabby for children - I got my dd a library ticket at 2 months old although it wasn't used much until she was about 2-3!! They run twice-weekly story times for under 5s, do the summer reading challenge and also have book buddy clubs after school (we don't bother with these as they clash with my dd's other a/s activities). They also host community days for events like Chinese New Year and every month they focus on one author/genre/event and feature books on that topic. I can't praise them enough but they do have a very good children's librarian - she visits all the primary schools in the borough to promote the library. A lot of it does come down to the staff they get.

We go regularly, sometimes once a week, sometimes every couple of weeks, depends on whether dd wants to change her book. I luuuurrve our library and I've found that, actually they're quite child friendly.

I think running around and shouting IS normal child behaviour. In that most kids do it, at least up to 5 or so.

Maybe not in libraries, because, as we have seen only people with kids who are able, for whatever reason, to not do this, take them there. But generally-that is normal child behaviour, IMO.

Now I could, in theory, take ds, who is 3 alone to the library, and he'd be fine. He loves books. But that is not my life. I also have a 2 yo dd and will presently have a db also. DD does run about, squealing with excitement.

this is the reality for many people with kids under 5-more than one child. or special needs. or depression. or another reason not to be able to "control" their kid.

Thats your answer as to why people don't use their libraries. because they and their kids don't feel welcome.

YES and dd walked to local one on their own to renew their books on Sat morning. Peace for an hour!

it is rather sad when i take my dd (7 and sn) to the library and her over excitement at the train gets dirty looks off people

even when I take her wheelchair as an obvious 'hey look shes disabled' symbol

and why NOT include a small physical play area?

Why create a dichotomy between play and books? Why insist on quiet and respect for books? For most kids, this will mean they spend a LOT of time in the library being told off, just for wanting to let off steam, and this is NOT productive to a lifetime fondness for libraries. Which surely is the aim.

I don't know if you have boys, but seriously, for parents of active boys, somewhere they could let off steam would be a REAL bonus. Even a little playground outside, preferably one that you could take the books into to segue the expereince.

We are a family of book lovers, btw. dd and ds had tickets at 1 day old and 3 days old respectively. I read about 5 or 6 library books a week.

But the question was-why don't we take our KIDS there?

I think there is a real challenge re connecting more people to their libraries, and that starts early. ATM they are seriously under-used. I find a trip to the library seriously stressful and unpleasent, I order my library books online and collect in a slash and grab expedition with both kids strapped in, or go to borders

I take mine in every time we pass. I've always loved libraries. We sit on little baby chairs and read lots of stories together, then my ds choses some books to take home.

It's a fabulous way to spend time with your children if it's accessible.

Nice thread, Legacy