I spent yesterday afternoon at my neighborhood library. I’m enrolled in a children’s picture book writing course that comes with homework. Time consuming homework involving children’s library books…
I was deep in thought, midway through the assignment with half a dozen story books spread across the table, along with my MacBook, paper and pens when Librarian Lady (LL) approached me…
LL: Do you have any kids?
Me: Yes. (Does she know my brilliant kids?)
LL: Where are they?
Me: One’s in college, one works for the Texas Legislature. (beaming proudly)
LL: You can’t be here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.
Me: Wait, what?
LL: You can’t be in the children’s section of the library without kids.
Me: Really? Why? (There was not one single solitary person in the children’s area which comprised one-third of the library.)
LL: You can take your time leaving.
WOW.
What would Dr. Seuss think?
Would he, could he like this rule?
I think not,
this was not cool.
Is this normal library policy nowadays? Did she think I was some type of perv, loitering in the kiddie area? I was not talking or texting or eating or drinking or laughing or coughing or sneezing or snoring. Obviously, I was working on a children’s project…
I gathered up all my belonging and the picture books, wondering if Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile was even allowed to move from the children’s area…
Could I, should I move the book?
Would a buzzer buzz?
Will she think me a crook?
Could I, should I move the book?
Would a buzzer buzz?
Will she think me a crook?
As I slinked over to a more appropriate spot in the old people zone, I felt that same terrible feeling I experience when I accidentally wander into the petite section of Ann Taylor. At least Ann Taylor salespeople humor me until I stumble back the department more fitting for me.
I’ve never been asked to leave a library before. Even a department.
talya
Where Do The Children Play? – Cat Stevens
I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells. -Dr. Seuss
If you are working on an assignment involving children’s books, I see no reason why you would have to leave. I would have been less sanguine than you were. But you are a nicer person than I am :).
Talya, this is ridiculous!! I’m furious at the behavior of a fellow librarian. I venture to say this is not widespread policy. Unbelieveable! I currently have a friend working in my local public library in Anne Arundel County, MD and I will surely be asking her if they have such a policy. Any library school student taking the required Children’s Lit class would find themselves in the situation for several weeks as the coursework dictates.
Geez Louise!! Never heard of such. When you find our the why of this, let us know.
Sadly, policies like this are becoming more and more commonplace. I know here at my school, my mother can’t even come have lunch with me without getting a pass from the office. We are now having to have lockdown drills once a week. The ‘times they are a changing’! Great read!
Ridiculous! I wonder what their policy is for elementary school teachers that need to visit the children’s area without a child. I would take this to a higher level if I were you!
I may go to the downtown library next week.
This made me laugh out loud which caused a co-worker to ask me what I was doing. Loved this story!!
🙂
Unbelievable! And it makes me sad! Everybody is so suspicious of each other.
Common sense is becoming less and less common these days!
Unreal! The children’s section is my favorite section! Does this mean they don’t let school teachers come in to check out books by themselves?! What about mothers who go to pick up some book for the kids as a surprise while the kids are in school?! Just WOW!
I’m going to guess that word is out about your hanging with the perv in your cowgirl shirt! Good one.
Unbelievable and so sad that this is what our society is becoming.
Maybe we should all go to our local/branch libraries and see if anyone asks us to leave because we are childless. Crazy, sick world we live in!
Goodness. That gives a new meaning to the word exclusivity!!
some libraries do this because of teenagers.. (seems teens don’t feel like they are being watched as much in this area..leading to a lot of drama) .. +
Pretty narrow-minded. What a small world that LL lives in! My mother worked in a library years ago and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. My apologies to all the nice, courteous librarians out there!
Two sides to every story, seems like maybe you misunderstood or over reacted.
At the time, as I sat there working on a children’s project with picture books spread out on the table, it seemed extremely ridiculous to me. Plus there was not a single person in the children’s section and I was given no reason. After thinking about it, I understand with all the weirdos out there, they don’t want adults hanging out in the children section of the library. In today’s society, rules are applied to the masses. There are no gray areas and little common sense.
That is the craziest thing I have ever heard. Our social rules are getting crazier and crazier.
All I know is that it’s a good thing I wasn’t with you. I would have been arrested for ATIWMW – assaulting the idiot with my walker! Seriously, that is absurd and I would have had to add….”We’ll see what the Texas Legislature has to say about this so-called rule!” OMG…I am so furious and can’t believe I missed this one when catching up! Bottom line…since you were the ONLY one in that section she could have utilized the golden rule philosophy: Good leaders know when to make SENSIBLE exceptions to GENERAL RULES. Period. Nope, exclamation point! 🙂 Your cuz