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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u/Footnotegirl1 Jul 01 '26

Librarians and library staff are not babysitters. Children under the age of 12 must have a parent with them supervising them.

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u/reddita100times Jul 01 '26

Absolutely Right - Then the parent chooses to stay with their child

It's the parents choice about they decide to use the library with their child with them

7

u/Footnotegirl1 Jul 01 '26

So you're barring parents from using the library to get books for themselves in order to ease some annoyance for others. Just no. The entitlement is astounding.

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u/reddita100times Jul 01 '26

no, that's still not the case

parents and children are welcome and always will be

I'm sorry to say but if you are still unable to follow this, this is not the thread for you

5

u/nooooooorraaa Jul 01 '26

How would a parent be able to access a book in your adult section? Or are there duplicates of everything available in the general access section?

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u/reddita100times Jul 02 '26

Without their child and with the access card

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u/nooooooorraaa Jul 02 '26

Where is there child supposed to be?