[Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards

Mon Jun 27 13:06:04 EDT 2016

We issue cards to kids age 5 and up with a co-signer (parent, legal guardian) who is “in good standing.”  That is – they don’t owe us ANYTHING.

When the parent has bills, we put a note on the child’s card as well as their own.  We do not let the parent use the child’s card to get out of paying their own bill and check out items for themselves.  New:  We are also not going to let them use the child’s card to get childrens’ items – because they are still the co-signer and no longer “in good standing.”  If the child comes alone and uses his/her card for their own children’s materials –and their card is in good standing – we ignore the note about the parent and let the child check out.

I’ll see what happens the first time we try the stuff in red!

Melissa

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org] On Behalf Of Heidi Rawson
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 11:55 AM
To: Laura, Hauch <laura.hauch at buchananlibrary.com>; michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards

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!! [*8-| rolling eyes]
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!! [*:-S worried]

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

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<http://buchananlibrary.org/>

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org<mailto: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<mailto: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<mailto: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<http://www.stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org/>
989-865-9371
n.pretzer at stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org<mailto:n.pretzer at stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org>

From: michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> [mailto: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<mailto: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<http://mbreasoner@tecumsehlibrary.org/>
www.tecumsehlibrary.org<http://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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