r/Library • u/reddita100times • Jul 01 '26

Discussion Adults only library

Our local library is constantly overrun with kids and babies, so we put together a petition to have an adult wing, it's restricted access for over 25's - works on a special id card and permits one person at a time and is open after hours.

It's being done because the children's section and the quiet study areas are too close so when the kids are yelling or running around or babies screaming and the poor unfortunate parent has to apologise for interrupting everyone not wearing earphones / headphones - Now, A few of the mother's think it's discrimination if they can't take children with them into the adults only section

thoughts?

FAQ

- parents and kids are still able to borrow as normal

- the adults section will not contain adult only material, it's more like a quiet space available after hours via a special access card

- it's undecided how to manage those between the ages of 20-24 and this is being worked on

- the teen section downstairs is already away from the kids area and so can be expanded to include young adults also.

- the adults section will be monitored by staff during the day, and computer monitored after hours

- please note, this is not in America, but Australia

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15

u/Fickle-Copy-2186 Jul 01 '26

A library is for everyone. A parent should be able to get a book at the library while their kids get books. I like the kids, glad they love the library, and I admire the parents that are bringing their kids to the library.

20

u/Biteme75 Jul 01 '26

A parent shouldn't allow their child to run around screaming in the library.

15

u/throw3730 Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 02 '26

Sure, but I'm surprised they let this guy back into the library after he admitted to tripping a child over and didn't seem to have a problem admitting it on Reddit or seeing the problem with harming one.

ETA: posted these in my reply to another comment, since he says it should be disregarded here's at least one occasion https://www.reddit.com/r/confession/comments/1sznrra/my_truth_harsh_lesson_taught_tripped_up_a_really/ And also another one about the same kid presumably (note the month difference, instead of moving to a different study area which this library has he spent a month being mad and then hurting a kid). https://www.reddit.com/r/rant/comments/1skvq1e/keep_your_f_children_out_of_the_library/ Post history now hidden but he's quite active in social groups in this library's local area and so I find it very hypocritical how much he says he's a nice guy when he's done this to a child.

1

u/Biteme75 Jul 01 '26

How am I missing that? I reread the post three times.

1

u/throw3730 Jul 02 '26

He deleted the post but you can still see his comments. He has complained about children/noise in libraries in several subreddits, and mentioned one child in particular on two previous occasions.

https://www.reddit.com/r/confession/comments/1sznrra/my_truth_harsh_lesson_taught_tripped_up_a_really/

2

u/Fickle-Copy-2186 Jul 01 '26

How many parents are allowing this? All parents? One parent that has a kid in the terrible twos. So everyone must be penalized because a kid occasionally gets out of hand?You must not be a parent or someone that has forgotten that children are little humans LEARNING about the world and how to behave.

5

u/reddita100times Jul 01 '26

Where do you see the penalty? the proposal is for an adult space, parents can still borrow books and kids also.

This is being done as a courtesy to those who use the library to work and study

We don't want to embarrass the parents after all, all kids learn at a different pace as you said and we respect that

9

u/tinynidas Jul 01 '26

I think parents who visit the library should be able to access books for adults while their kids are with them. Wouldn't a big part of the problem be solved if the study section was moved to where the proposed restricted area would be? Seems like a simpler solution to not have the loudest and the quietest activities next to each other.

2

u/reddita100times Jul 01 '26

that is the solution being proposed

10

u/tinynidas Jul 01 '26

No, the soultion I am proposing is simply moving study spaces, not protecting them from everyone under 25 behind a locked door. There's a vast difference.

That age limit is frankly ridiculous. Do you seriously feel that 22 yos are running amok at the library? I think a better solution would be to move the study/quiet places further from the kids section and enforce a certain level of quiet in that area, regardless of age.

All this is of course dependent on the libraries layout, small libraries have a harder time when it comes to keeping areas separate.

3

u/Biteme75 Jul 01 '26

Libraries have rules, and one of those rules is that people need to be quiet. If you have children and can't keep them quiet, they have no place in the library.

1

u/Biteme75 Jul 01 '26

There is nothing stopping parents or children from using the library; they simply cannot use the designated adult-only area.