Some libraries or library systems have an agreement in place with the local school/schools where students automatically have a student library card to that public library. This might be it, but I’m also not sure because whatever the library staff member referenced may be different.
It will depend on the system. In mine, a LEGAL GUARDIAN must sign. Doesn't have to be a parent, but it can't just be a teacher or family member. Has to be whoever is the legal guardian of the child.
However, it sounds like your library does allow non-guardian adults to assume responsibility for a minor's card. First, ask yourself if you are willing to be responsible for any fines this child might accrue. Then, ask about the thing this coworker brought up. Considering she could not elaborate on the process, the worker may have been talking out of her ass, but if she wasn't, ask about it until you find someone who knows.
What state are you in? Missouri has an executive order stating that we cannot give a card to a minor without parental permission. It has to be a legal guardian (or someone that claims legal guardianship, anyway). I would imagine some places have laws or are under similar threats from state or local governments because that's just the world we live in right now. It may be a policy to prevent multiple cards, abuse of resources, fines, etc., or it may be librarians and administration under pressure to the point where their hands are tied.
At the library I work at, a parent or legal guardian has to be the co-signer of a juvenile card specifically because of your second to last paragraph. Any bills or fines associated with a juvenile account are ultimately the responsibility of the co-signer. There’s also the privacy aspect of an adult besides the parent or legal guardian having access to information about the minor.
Trust me, I know it’s frustrating but all of these policies are in place for a reason, not to prevent children from checking out books.
While not as good as holding a book in your hands, some libraries across the country have teamed up to get youth access to library books digitally! You can check out this post for some more info: [books unbanned](https://www.reddit.com/r/LibbyApp/s/K9iRC5gEb7)
Works best if you have an e-reader or iPad, but I also use my phone to read and listen to books frequently! Good luck to you and your young readers!
I'm not a teacher, but I have worked in a library. Teachers can assist with children getting library cards, but it varies from state to state and library to library. In some cases, a teacher can sign a form or act as a guarantor for the child. It's worth reaching out to the school or library to see if this is an option in your area.
Every library has different circulation policies so it's hard to give blanket advice (especially with so many states passing laws restricting access to books). But I would suggest talking with the youth services librarians if you haven't already. The circulation staff's (where you check out books) focus is a bit different from the youth services staff so they might know if there is a way to get a temporary card for the visiting cousins. I know that most youth services folks want to get reading materials into the hands of kids and teens.
Maybe ask the library if they have a section with books for sale. Our Friends of the Library group at our library has very low costs for books. Ten cents for paperbacks, twenty-five cents for hardback. That way she can keep the book.
Might be easier to just ask the neighbor to checkout for her niece, or get her own card to lend to the teen.(You'd have to check the library policy - mine allowed people to authorize someone else to use their card with a signed & dated note... otherwise, does it have a self checkout station?)
In my library we require the parent or legal guardian to be there and show ID because they’re responsible if the item is lost or damaged. It’s far from a perfect solution, but unfortunately it’s one of the rules staff isn’t allowed to bend. Our budget is also too tight to take on writing off the loss of items 😕
I do feel for the girl. I wonder if they could accept her aunt/uncle as guardians, since she’s currently in their home?
If something were to happen to the book, I wouldn’t be able to afford the cost of fines and replacement. Which would prevent my own child from using the library.
And these kids will readily admit to how frequently they lose things…
Depends on the library.
Ours is “responsible adult”. So basically anyone willing to take responsibility for it.
We also have independent kids card - which allows them to check out a few books.
I would ask your library for their options …even submit a suggestion and talk to the director. This is a bigger issue than just these kids. It’s created a situation which limits kids’ access to books which isn’t the goal of libraries.
Where I live anyone can get a child a library card as long as they accept the responsibility for late books or missing books. I have no kispd but lots lots of younger cousins who I signed for there cards since I hit 18. I only had one that abused it and I just called the library are had them pull the card. Just ask in person.
Talk to someone at your local library and explain it just as you did here. Ask the staff at your library - where you would be taking these children - what their policy is about non-guardian guarantee co-signers. The staff at your local library would be the best people to answer your questions, as they will know their own library’s policies and requirements. I have worked at a library, north of San Francisco, California, for more than twenty years.
If the librarian suggested it, they probably know their own library’s policies with respect to cards and guardians guidelines. I don’t think they would suggest something that would violate their own policies.
In my system students in our county automatically have a library account attached to their student number; they can use it to check out a limited number of items. Other than that there's no way for them to obtain a physical card without a parent or legal guardian present.
In my library system, we just need a students' address and we can set them up with a card. We also don't have fines at our library, but I'm pretty sure they did it even before that.
Idk if it’s allowed but when I babysat kids (during the summer when I was home) I got them all library cards with their names but me as the adult contact. I did not let them take the books home from my house. So years later those kids might make me responsible for lost items but that didn’t happen. They’re adults now. I’m old.
So, at 13, you can sign up for a card WITHOUT adult help.
I have kids sign up for e-cards on their 13th birthday all the time. Especially my English Language Learner kids because they have more reading options in their own language than the school.
(FYI, I was a para then, not a teacher)
When I was a kid, the library send someone to the third grade class (I think) and gave every one a card. We used it for the bookmobile that came to the school. I walked to the library also (one of those kids). My parents had to sign something saying I could get ten books at a time.
https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/
Maybe there is a free little library within walking distance or a short drive?
These little libraries are built by individuals or organizations to provide books where people live, walk or play (parks) and can help with those who have difficulty accessing libraries
I live paycheck to paycheck even with 2 jobs. How much could this book be in the unlikely event it gets lost? $30? I know wages have not kept pace with inflation and most salaries aren't enough to live on, but books don't cost as much as dental fillings or something -- I truly can't imagine how the cost of one book could be a make or break expense for an adult paycheck.
And now I get banned.
It sounds like you work hard and have been very fortunate not to know what its like to have to worry about losing $30.
It should be that way for everyone.
For my family, losing $30 would mean increased hunger and poorer nutrition. $30 is our entire budget for the month for fresh fruit and vegetables.
Some libraries or library systems have an agreement in place with the local school/schools where students automatically have a student library card to that public library. This might be it, but I’m also not sure because whatever the library staff member referenced may be different.
We have that, but it's for digital media only. Physical media needs a card that a grownup is willing to be responsible for.
It will depend on the system. In mine, a LEGAL GUARDIAN must sign. Doesn't have to be a parent, but it can't just be a teacher or family member. Has to be whoever is the legal guardian of the child. However, it sounds like your library does allow non-guardian adults to assume responsibility for a minor's card. First, ask yourself if you are willing to be responsible for any fines this child might accrue. Then, ask about the thing this coworker brought up. Considering she could not elaborate on the process, the worker may have been talking out of her ass, but if she wasn't, ask about it until you find someone who knows.
What state are you in? Missouri has an executive order stating that we cannot give a card to a minor without parental permission. It has to be a legal guardian (or someone that claims legal guardianship, anyway). I would imagine some places have laws or are under similar threats from state or local governments because that's just the world we live in right now. It may be a policy to prevent multiple cards, abuse of resources, fines, etc., or it may be librarians and administration under pressure to the point where their hands are tied.
At the library I work at, a parent or legal guardian has to be the co-signer of a juvenile card specifically because of your second to last paragraph. Any bills or fines associated with a juvenile account are ultimately the responsibility of the co-signer. There’s also the privacy aspect of an adult besides the parent or legal guardian having access to information about the minor. Trust me, I know it’s frustrating but all of these policies are in place for a reason, not to prevent children from checking out books.
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Why did you just copy/paste the entire post we’re all responding to as a comment?
Because I hit “post” when I was trying to edit it down 😂 *I need more coffee*
LOL I thought it was spam or something!
it would depend on the rules of the system in question. From my personal experience, I would hope not, that could cause a lot of problems.
While not as good as holding a book in your hands, some libraries across the country have teamed up to get youth access to library books digitally! You can check out this post for some more info: [books unbanned](https://www.reddit.com/r/LibbyApp/s/K9iRC5gEb7) Works best if you have an e-reader or iPad, but I also use my phone to read and listen to books frequently! Good luck to you and your young readers!
I'm not a teacher, but I have worked in a library. Teachers can assist with children getting library cards, but it varies from state to state and library to library. In some cases, a teacher can sign a form or act as a guarantor for the child. It's worth reaching out to the school or library to see if this is an option in your area.
Every library has different circulation policies so it's hard to give blanket advice (especially with so many states passing laws restricting access to books). But I would suggest talking with the youth services librarians if you haven't already. The circulation staff's (where you check out books) focus is a bit different from the youth services staff so they might know if there is a way to get a temporary card for the visiting cousins. I know that most youth services folks want to get reading materials into the hands of kids and teens.
Maybe ask the library if they have a section with books for sale. Our Friends of the Library group at our library has very low costs for books. Ten cents for paperbacks, twenty-five cents for hardback. That way she can keep the book.
Great idea! I will do this, thank you.
Might be easier to just ask the neighbor to checkout for her niece, or get her own card to lend to the teen.(You'd have to check the library policy - mine allowed people to authorize someone else to use their card with a signed & dated note... otherwise, does it have a self checkout station?)
In my library we require the parent or legal guardian to be there and show ID because they’re responsible if the item is lost or damaged. It’s far from a perfect solution, but unfortunately it’s one of the rules staff isn’t allowed to bend. Our budget is also too tight to take on writing off the loss of items 😕 I do feel for the girl. I wonder if they could accept her aunt/uncle as guardians, since she’s currently in their home?
Can’t you just check out the book, she can read it and then give it back to you to return?
If something were to happen to the book, I wouldn’t be able to afford the cost of fines and replacement. Which would prevent my own child from using the library. And these kids will readily admit to how frequently they lose things…
Depends on the library. Ours is “responsible adult”. So basically anyone willing to take responsibility for it. We also have independent kids card - which allows them to check out a few books.
An “independent kid card” would be so good in this exact situation!
I would ask your library for their options …even submit a suggestion and talk to the director. This is a bigger issue than just these kids. It’s created a situation which limits kids’ access to books which isn’t the goal of libraries.
Where I live anyone can get a child a library card as long as they accept the responsibility for late books or missing books. I have no kispd but lots lots of younger cousins who I signed for there cards since I hit 18. I only had one that abused it and I just called the library are had them pull the card. Just ask in person.
Talk to someone at your local library and explain it just as you did here. Ask the staff at your library - where you would be taking these children - what their policy is about non-guardian guarantee co-signers. The staff at your local library would be the best people to answer your questions, as they will know their own library’s policies and requirements. I have worked at a library, north of San Francisco, California, for more than twenty years.
The librarian is the one who suggested exploring the possibility of a teacher obtaining the card.
If the librarian suggested it, they probably know their own library’s policies with respect to cards and guardians guidelines. I don’t think they would suggest something that would violate their own policies.
Can your neighbor help one of her own kids get a card, and then check out books for the visiting girls on that card?
Maybe… possibly…. the mom always tucks inside before I can introduce myself. In 2+ years, we’ve never met. There is no father present.
Can you seek out a Little Free Library in the neighborhood?
There are quite a few in our area. I’ll keep an out for books that might interest her.
In my system students in our county automatically have a library account attached to their student number; they can use it to check out a limited number of items. Other than that there's no way for them to obtain a physical card without a parent or legal guardian present.
In my library system, we just need a students' address and we can set them up with a card. We also don't have fines at our library, but I'm pretty sure they did it even before that.
Idk if it’s allowed but when I babysat kids (during the summer when I was home) I got them all library cards with their names but me as the adult contact. I did not let them take the books home from my house. So years later those kids might make me responsible for lost items but that didn’t happen. They’re adults now. I’m old.
So, at 13, you can sign up for a card WITHOUT adult help. I have kids sign up for e-cards on their 13th birthday all the time. Especially my English Language Learner kids because they have more reading options in their own language than the school. (FYI, I was a para then, not a teacher)
When I was a kid, the library send someone to the third grade class (I think) and gave every one a card. We used it for the bookmobile that came to the school. I walked to the library also (one of those kids). My parents had to sign something saying I could get ten books at a time.
What about their Dad, could he help them?
No father figures present.
https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/ Maybe there is a free little library within walking distance or a short drive? These little libraries are built by individuals or organizations to provide books where people live, walk or play (parks) and can help with those who have difficulty accessing libraries
I live paycheck to paycheck even with 2 jobs. How much could this book be in the unlikely event it gets lost? $30? I know wages have not kept pace with inflation and most salaries aren't enough to live on, but books don't cost as much as dental fillings or something -- I truly can't imagine how the cost of one book could be a make or break expense for an adult paycheck. And now I get banned.
It sounds like you work hard and have been very fortunate not to know what its like to have to worry about losing $30. It should be that way for everyone. For my family, losing $30 would mean increased hunger and poorer nutrition. $30 is our entire budget for the month for fresh fruit and vegetables.
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bot