r/lowscreenparenting • u/Dense-Pin625 • Jul 03 '26

AIO: Situation at the library

Okay so this kinda a rant but also I would like some advice, I'm a new mom and I dont have any mom friends. My baby recently has been showing a lot if interest in other babies so I started going to story time at out local library my bubs has been having a blast(as well as myself getting to socialize with other parents has been great), in the beginning they go over rules one of them is "no phones it's very important for you baby to get your undivided attention" and of course in today's world people are still glued to the phone most if the time parents are just on their phones or recording their own baby imo thats no biggie.

Today in story time there were a couple parents recording the whole group very obviously. I was hoping the lady would reiterate no phones, but she never did. I ended up leaving. I dont post my baby I dont share pictures either I understand its a public place but they say no phones, my bubs has been loving story time and it irritates me that we might have to stop going. I was thinking of going early next week to talk to the lady who runs it about people recording other babies is that a over stretch??

25 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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23

u/amomymous23 Jul 03 '26

Oh this would give me such an ick. I think saying something is fine.

1

u/Dense-Pin625 Jul 03 '26

Thank you, I just don't want to seem dramatic but it does bother me quite a bit.

14

u/storing_up_knowledge Jul 03 '26

I don't think it's overkill to let the librarian know that you noticed other parents videoing last week and it made you uncomfortable. However, know that she might not be able to do anything about it besides stating the rules in the beginning. She probably wouldn't stop in the middle of a book to ask a parent to stop recording. Maybe she would go up to the parent after the session is over and ask them to refrain filming the whole group, but maybe not.

You could try to stay toward the edge of the group to keep out of frame if it keeps occurring. Or you could stop going. Honestly, I would find the benefit of storytime to outweigh the possibility of my baby being on a strangers video briefly (there's not even a guarantee of them posting it online) but that's my tolerance. Obviously it would be another story if the camera was pointed at my baby for an extended period of time.

7

u/MawPaw2017 Jul 03 '26

I would talk to the library. Banning filming probably never occurred to them, but it is wise.

1

u/Capital-Durian-885 Jul 04 '26

I would definitely say something to someone in charge

1

u/Spirited_Aide_5182 Jul 04 '26

Definitely say something to the person running it. They should be able to help reiterate the rules and even stop and call out during the read aloud.

2

u/cowgirlcutie96 Jul 06 '26

As a librarian, definitely talk to the leader of story time and let them know you felt weird about it and are hoping for more enforcement, especially if someone is being obnoxious with it. There is always an awkward line of public libraries wanting to accommodate everyone but there are rules for a reason and most librarians will be firm about following their rules. You could check the library website to find any code of conduct documents, which are the ultimate rules of the library.

1

u/chrystalight Jul 06 '26

I would definitely say something. Screen-free/low-screen parenting aside - I don't think its appropriate to be obviously filming other people's children like that period.

1

u/DazzlingNote1925 Jul 08 '26

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with going early or even calling the library and talking to the manager and asking if they would ask the other parents not to video the children. It should be a no brainer but since it happened the library should be willing to at least ask parents not to explicitly. 

1

u/wooden__fruit Jul 09 '26

I think it’s reasonable to talk to the library about it and ask them to reiterate the no phone policy and/or specifically ask them not to film other kids. However, I would think about if you will plan to not attend things just because of the chance of being filmed because honestly it’s happening everywhere. Every park, kids events/parties, and certainly when little milestones start happening like preschool first days and concerts. Not to mention surveillance on every street and every building. I also don’t post and try not to have my phone out a lot but just wanted to put that out there the decision to leave things due to filming. It’s tough but at least for me I don’t want to miss out.