At Buchanan District Library, in order for a minor to receive a library card, their parent or guardian must have a valid library card linked to their account. We use Biblionix Apollo, and it allows the creation of family groups and fine-sharing across family groups. Anyone in the same household is part of the same family group, and when one is blocked because of fines in excess of $5.00, all family members are blocked. A parent with a card but not in good standing could sign their child up for a card, but that card would not be usable until the fines on the entire family’s account are paid down.

As for age when a child may get their own card- we have an unofficial policy of “as soon as they can write their name,” but if a parent wants to sign their newborn or other child who cannot write up for a card, they can.

 

 

Laura Hauch

Circulation Manager

Buchanan District Library zv045

128 East Front Street

Buchanan, MI 49107

269-695-3681

269-695-0004 Fax

http://buchananlibrary.org

 

 

 

From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of Margaret Bentley
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 11:22 AM
To: michlib-l@mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards

 

We have similar problems.  We also issue children's cards at any age, and are considering changing policy to allow us to link the children's and parent's cards in our circulation system.

Margaret Bentley 
Adult Services Librarian
Shiawassee District Library--Owosso
502 W. Main
Owosso, MI  48867  
989-725-5134

On 6/27/2016 11:10 AM, Sandie Schulenburg wrote:

Good morning, 

    Here at the Brighton District Library, children can received a card at any age, even newborn.  And yes, we also have 'abuse' of cards by parents who open a card in their children's name.  However, I am not sure I could correlate that with the age of the child.  

   We are about to change our policy so that a parent can only open a card for a child if the parent's card is in 'good standing'; the same would be true at time of renewal.  We have not yet put this in place, so can't report on how it works!  But, this policy would address your concern. 

 

Sandie Schulenburg

Circulation Supervisor

Brighton District Libray

 

On Fri, Jun 24, 2016 at 11:42 AM, Nannette Pretzer <n.pretzer@stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org> wrote:

First of all, we have the same dilemma going on here at our library and would be interested in the responses you received.

 

Basically, our policy of issuing Children’s library cards is the same as your library.  We have the same issues and frustrations in dealing with the parents whose cards are blocked due to fines and then get a card for the child.

 

So, our library board is also investigating the policy and would like to know what other libraries policies are.

 

Thanks for sharing!

 

 

Nannette Pretzer

Director

St. Charles District Library

104 W. Spruce Street

St. Charles, MI  48655

www.stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org

989-865-9371

n.pretzer@stcharlesdistrictlibrary.org

 

 

 

From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of Mary Beth Reasoner
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2016 3:52 PM
To: Michlib-l@mcls.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] Children's Library Cards

 

Dear All - 

At this morning's Staff Meeting at Tecumseh District Library, we had a rousing discussion about when a child should be eligible to receive a library card.  This discussion covered the age/grade/ability to write their names aspects and then progressed into talking about our frustrations in dealing with parents whose cards are blocked due to fines and long overdue materials who then open up a card in their young child's name so they (the adults) can still check out books and have access to our computers.  (So yes, there are really two issues here.)

 

Our current policy is that a child can receive a TDL library card at any age.  The Registration Card is filled out and signed by the parent or legal guardian.  They then sign a Release Form that emphasizes it is their responsibility to keep the card in good standing and allows them access to the child's borrowing record.

 

As stated on our website:

Cards for Minors
Youths under the age of 18 will be issued their own Resident or Non-Resident library card when the parent or guardian signs a registration form and assumes all financial obligation.

 

Access to the youth's borrowing record will be provided only if a release form is signed by the parent or guardian.

 

A parent or guardian has to be present with the minor at the time of pick-up to sign the card and the Release Form. They must present a valid proof of residence.

 

I agree with our current policy (no age limit, no grade limit, no can-they-write-their-name limit) because it allows equal access to all children within our service area (and I am aware of the Library Bill of Rights for Minors which I will share with the staff), but the group had several strong differing opinions.   So I promised my Director and colleagues that I would request feedback from other libraries via Michlib-l so we could review a range of different policies.  So, here goes!

 

What is your library's policy concerning issuing library cards to minors and what is the reasoning or rationale behind that policy?

 

Thank you for your time and assistance as we seek to compare different policies.

Mary Beth

 

Mary Beth Reasoner

Children's Services Librarian

Tecumseh District Library

 

 

215 North Ottawa Street

Tecumseh, MI  49286-1564

 

517-423-5519 (Fax)

 

"Let us read and let us dance, two amusements that will never do any harm to the world."     - Voltaire

 

 


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