The library was a big part of my childhood. My mom volunteered there, and I commonly spent a few afternoons a week just hanging out there; reading books, doing homework, and flipping through newspapers from different (and more exotic) cities and towns. As a young adult, the library became an amazing (and free!) resource where I took out not only books, but tapes and movies as well. It fit my budget perfectly and was a quick walk from my house. I took full advantage of my library card, visiting at least once a week.
Naturally, I would love the library even more as a parent, right? I mean, what's not to like about the library? Well, quite a few things, I've found. It's actually become one of my more dreaded destinations lately. Why, you ask? Read on ...
1. The Stress. Keeping track of anything in a house with three young kids is an impossible feat. If a book disappears somewhere in our house, there’s a good chance that it’s gone forever. At the very least, I'll waste countless hours trying to locate a ten-dollar book.
2. The Late or Replacement Fees. See above.
3. The Grossness. I've seen my own kids wipe their dirty hands on books, lick the pages, and sneeze on them. Thinking about all those other kids who probably did the same makes me want to puke.
4. Keeping Kids Quiet. With mine at least, it's an absolute joke.
5. Keeping Kids Still. It's an even worse joke. "Stop running! Sit down! Don't jump! No dancing! We're leaaaaving!!!"
6. The Books My Kids Chose. The last three library choices have been on 1. a dying pet, 2. divorce, and 3. farting. Great job, kids!
7. The Smell. The cross between a musty thrift shop and old newspapers never really bothered me before, but these days, I find it rather gag-worthy.
8. The Scowling Librarian. I'm sorry, ma'am. I've never seen those kids before in my life.
9. The Lack of a Starbucks. Barnes and Noble has me forever associating books with coffee and, sadly, there is no skinny vanilla latte to be found at my local library.
10. Reading. But, that's a whole other post.
Photo courtesy of wonderfullycomplex/Flickr
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Comments 99
libraries...there is something nostalgic about it.
Well at my local library kids are allowed to be as loud and crazy as they want in the children's section and we totally have a coffee shop in the library! I think it is one of the best places in town to take my kids, especially during bad/hot/cold weather. I'm sorry yours seems to suck.
I LOVE my local library. They do a story hour for preschool kids every Tuesday morning and have toys in the kids' section. My daughter loves it! I don't, however, love late fees. But that's my own fault for racking them up in the first place!
I have come to hate our library... Almost ALL the DVD's or CD's we've checked out through the years have skipped or frozen & this is after they have been cleaned before putting them in to play... GRR!
Maybe it'll be better when the kids are older
We love the library! And everytime the librarian guy snarls at us, or tries to rush us out, I remind my daughter (somewhat loudly) how the library is owned by the citizens of the county and we are so lucky to have it since it was nearly shut down last year for lack of funds! I am sure the librarian gets the hidden message :D
I love my local Library. The Librarians are all super friendly and very helpful to my inquistive child. They like it quiet but don't expect it to be super quiet.
Shame, shame, shame on you! Your library may suck - though I'm thinking that has more to do with your attitude than your library - but libraries, in general, are fantastic for kids. We go to our library, as a family, at least once a month, and I usually have to drag my kids off the children's floor after a couple of hours. Libraries rock!
Sounds more like an inability to teach your kids that there's an appropriate way to act in certain situations than a problem with the library. It amazes me how people think, when it's THEIR kids, that all public spaces should become playgrounds that cater to screaming, out of control children.
You loved your library when you were a kid because it was a place where it was quiet, where you could read, experience other cultures, and find fascinating stuff. Maybe you should pass that on to your kids instead of whining that they can't act like little hoodlums.