Jul. 17, 2007 - Bookmobile
Our library district has a bookmobile that comes twice monthly to the various neighborhoods in our area. I had a bookmobile come to my neighborhood when I was young, so I thought that having one come around here that my own kids could go to would be great. The idea of it, that the library comes to us and the kids can go independently to it to get books, certainly is great. But last fall my opinion of it greatly changed when two of my boys (age 9 & 11) came home without books at all, and with three PG13 movies. I was a bit furious. I would have definitely prefered they come home with "books" from the "bookmobile" and not movies that I did not even want them to see.
Yes, we do get movies from the library and I like that we can get them there for free. They do have a great selection of documentaries too! I just believe it is up to the parent to decide if a child's choice is ok when the material is certainly questionable. I believe the librarian in charge at the bookmobile should ask a child to come back with a parent if they are unsure of the child's choice.
So I had a talk with the head librarian, asking that kids (especially those aged ten & under) not be allowed to check out movies rated parental guidance for the 13 & older crowd without parental permission. Then I told my boys they should come home with books and not movies.
Several weeks later the boys returned to the bookmobile and they did come home with books- comic type books with what I considered still not good reading material for young boys. There were some not so great drawings and some foul language. Oh my! So then I knew that from then on I would have to go with them whenever the bookmobile rolls our way.
Yesterday, my six year old daughter asked to go to the bookmobile with a neighbor friend. I said that she could go since the girl's mother was going with them. Still, I held my breath as they strolled down the street. I had visions then of her coming home with those sordid Captain Underpants books (sorry if I've offended, but I'm not a big fan). But I wanted my daughter to get at least one chance to go herself. She was so proud with her library card neatly tucked into the pocket of a wallet borrowed from her big sis! Greatfully, I was pleased as well that the librarian directed the girls to books for their age group too. She came home with some great classic poetry books and a picture book about adverbs.
I remain cautious, but I am glad there is hope! My daughter's experience gave me an idea to speak to the librarian again and see if the kids could have a list there of materials I've previously ok'd for them. Then they could still go and choose independently, but from those books & movies on their list. We shall see if they are up to the challenge!
Comments
Jul. 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by socalval
Valerie
