[Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards

Mon Jun 27 11:55:22 EDT 2016

This discussion brings to mind a couple of things. 

I have also worked in retail and watched people go through their wallet looking for a credit card that will be accepted for what they are trying to buy! I have also had parents go through a pile of their kid's cards looking for one that can be used and it always reminded me of my retail experience!! 
We have a limit of 5 items at a time for things like DVDs and Audio Books. I have known parents to get infants a library card with adult privileges so they can check out more at one time!! 

That said I follow this discussion with interest. I wonder if we can legally deny library service to someone based on the "crimes" of their other family members. I don't remember everything from my school days but the term "corruption of blood" is something that has never left my memory!!

Heidi Rawson, LibrarianBranch District Library
      From: "Laura, Hauch" <laura.hauch at buchananlibrary.com>
 To: "michlib-l at mcls.org" <michlib-l at mcls.org> 
 Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 11:36 AM
 Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards

#yiv8364226246 #yiv8364226246 -- _filtered #yiv8364226246 {font-family:Helvetica;panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {font-family:Helvetica;panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {font-family:Tahoma;panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {font-family:Consolas;panose-1:2 11 6 9 2 2 4 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {panose-1:3 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {panose-1:3 4 6 2 4 6 7 8 9 4;}#yiv8364226246 #yiv8364226246 p.yiv8364226246MsoNormal, #yiv8364226246 li.yiv8364226246MsoNormal, #yiv8364226246 div.yiv8364226246MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;color:black;}#yiv8364226246 a:link, #yiv8364226246 span.yiv8364226246MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8364226246 a:visited, #yiv8364226246 span.yiv8364226246MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv8364226246 p {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12.0pt;color:black;}#yiv8364226246 pre {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;}#yiv8364226246 p.yiv8364226246MsoAcetate, #yiv8364226246 li.yiv8364226246MsoAcetate, #yiv8364226246 div.yiv8364226246MsoAcetate {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:8.0pt;color:black;}#yiv8364226246 span.yiv8364226246HTMLPreformattedChar {font-family:Consolas;color:black;}#yiv8364226246 span.yiv8364226246EmailStyle20 {color:#1F497D;}#yiv8364226246 span.yiv8364226246BalloonTextChar {color:black;}#yiv8364226246 .yiv8364226246MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} _filtered #yiv8364226246 {margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}#yiv8364226246 div.yiv8364226246WordSection1 {}#yiv8364226246 At Buchanan District Library, in order for a minor to receive a library card, their parent or guardian must have a valid library card linked to their account. We use Biblionix Apollo, and it allows the creation of family groups and fine-sharing across family groups. Anyone in the same household is part of the same family group, and when one is blocked because of fines in excess of $5.00, all family members are blocked. A parent with a card but not in good standing could sign their child up for a card, but that card would not be usable until the fines on the entire family’s account are paid down. As for age when a child may get their own card- we have an unofficial policy of “as soon as they can write their name,” but if a parent wants to sign their newborn or other child who cannot write up for a card, they can.       Laura Hauch Circulation Manager Buchanan District Library zv045 128 East Front Street Buchanan, MI 49107 269-695-3681 269-695-0004 Fax http://buchananlibrary.org          From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org]On Behalf Of Margaret Bentley
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 11:22 AM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards    We have similar problems.  We also issue children's cards at any age, and are considering changing policy to allow us to link the children's and parent's cards in our circulation system. Margaret Bentley  Adult Services Librarian Shiawassee District Library--Owosso 502 W. Main Owosso, MI  48867   989-725-5134 On 6/27/2016 11:10 AM, Sandie Schulenburg wrote: 
Good morning,      Here at the Brighton District Library, children can received a card at any age, even newborn.  And yes, we also have 'abuse' of cards by parents who open a card in their children's name.  However, I am not sure I could correlate that with the age of the child.      We are about to change our policy so that a parent can only open a card for a child if the parent's card is in 'good standing'; the same would be true at time of renewal.  We have not yet put this in place, so can't report on how it works!  But, this policy would address your concern.     Sandie Schulenburg Circulation Supervisor Brighton District Libray    On Fri, Jun 24, 2016 at 11:42 AM, Nannette Pretzer <n.pretzer at stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org> 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 www.tecumsehlibrary.org   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     
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