[Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards

Mon Jun 27 11:35:44 EDT 2016

Our policy allows children to get their own card at age 5. I know that age
is completely arbitrary but that's what it is. We also use a circulation
system, Atriuum by Book Systems, that links the parent or guardian to the
child's card as the responsible party. That way if the parent owes money on
either card we know about it. And when a child has overdue items sufficient
to send them to collections it sends the responsible party instead. It
works quite well and has solved that problem for us.

Nannette Miller
Elk Rapids District Library

On Mon, Jun 27, 2016 at 11:15 AM, <maureen at romeodistrictlibrary.org> wrote:

> I think the problem and frustration is universal.  Right now our policy
> for issuing library cards to children is the same as already mentioned.
> However, we use the Sirsi system in our Coop and many of the libraries use
> USER GROUPS which links the cards for everyone in the family.  If one is
> blocked then they are all blocked and the parents have to pay to unblock
> the cards.  We don't use it here at my library so I am not sure exactly how
> it all works, but it is an option.
>
> - Maureen Swanwick
> Head of Circulation
> Romeo District Library
>
>
> On 2016-06-24 11:42, Nannette Pretzer wrote:
>
>> First of all, we have the same dilemma going on here at our library
>> and would be interested in the responses you received.
>>
>> Basically, our policy of issuing Children's library cards is the same
>> as your library. We have the same issues and frustrations in dealing
>> with the parents whose cards are blocked due to fines and then get a
>> card for the child.
>>
>> So, our library board is also investigating the policy and would like
>> to know what other libraries policies are.
>>
>> Thanks for sharing!
>>
>> NANNETTE PRETZER
>>
>> Director
>>
>> St. Charles District Library
>>
>> 104 W. Spruce Street
>>
>> St. Charles, MI 48655
>>
>> www.stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org
>>
>> 989-865-9371
>>
>> n.pretzer at stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org
>>
>> FROM: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org]
>> ON BEHALF OF Mary Beth Reasoner
>> SENT: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 3:52 PM
>> TO: Michlib-l at mcls.org
>> SUBJECT: [Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards
>>
>> Dear All -
>>
>> At this morning's Staff Meeting at Tecumseh District Library, we had a
>> rousing discussion about when a child should be eligible to receive a
>> library card. This discussion covered the age/grade/ability to write
>> their names aspects and then progressed into talking about our
>> frustrations in dealing with parents whose cards are blocked due to
>> fines and long overdue materials who then open up a card in their
>> young child's name so they (the adults) can still check out books and
>> have access to our computers. (So yes, there are really two issues
>> here.)
>>
>> Our current policy is that a child can receive a TDL library card at
>> any age. The Registration Card is filled out and signed by the parent
>> or legal guardian. They then sign a Release Form that emphasizes it is
>> THEIR responsibility to keep the card in good standing and allows them
>> access to the child's borrowing record.
>>
>> As stated on our website:
>>
>> Cards for Minors
>> Youths under the age of 18 will be issued their own Resident or
>> Non-Resident library card when the parent or guardian signs a
>> registration form and assumes all financial obligation.
>>
>> Access to the youth's borrowing record will be provided only if a
>> release form is signed by the parent or guardian.
>>
>> A parent or guardian has to be present with the minor at the time of
>> pick-up to sign the card and the Release Form. They must present a
>> valid proof of residence.
>>
>> I agree with our current policy (no age limit, no grade limit, no
>> can-they-write-their-name limit) because it allows equal access to all
>> children within our service area (and I am aware of the Library Bill
>> of Rights for Minors which I will share with the staff), but the group
>> had several strong differing opinions. So I promised my Director and
>> colleagues that I would request feedback from other libraries via
>> Michlib-l so we could review a range of different policies. So, here
>> goes!
>>
>> WHAT IS YOUR LIBRARY'S POLICY CONCERNING ISSUING LIBRARY CARDS TO
>> MINORS AND WHAT IS THE REASONING OR RATIONALE BEHIND THAT POLICY?
>>
>> Thank you for your time and assistance as we seek to compare different
>> policies.
>>
>> Mary Beth
>>
>> MARY BETH REASONER
>>
>> CHILDREN'S SERVICES LIBRARIAN
>>
>> TECUMSEH DISTRICT LIBRARY
>>
>> mbreasoner at tecumsehlibrary.org [1]
>>
>> www.tecumsehlibrary.org [2]
>>
>> 215 North Ottawa Street
>>
>> Tecumseh, MI 49286-1564
>>
>> 517-423-2238
>>
>> 517-423-5519 (Fax)
>>
>> "LET US READ AND LET US DANCE, TWO AMUSEMENTS THAT WILL NEVER DO ANY
>> HARM TO THE WORLD."     - VOLTAIRE
>>
>>
>>
>> Links:
>> ------
>> [1] http://mbreasoner@tecumsehlibrary.org
>> [2] http://www.tecumsehlibrary.org/
>>
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>>
>
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-- 

Nannette Miller | Director
Elk Rapids District Library
231.264.9979 | erlib.director at gmail.com | elkrapidslibrary.org
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