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#Post#: 76228--------------------------------------------------
Damaging library books
DIR By: Bada
Date: July 7, 2022, 1:40 am
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My youngest son is 2. We had a rough streak with library books
for a bit there. I know there are some librarians here, so I'm
hoping I can get some inside information on damages.
The first book he simply destroyed (ripped up 5 pages or more).
I contacted the library and they said we could pay full price or
buy an exact replacement. We found an identical copy for cheap
and bought it. Hopefully I'm OK so far?
Then, within the next 6 month he tore two more pages in two
different books. They didn't ask me to pay when I turned them in
to the desk and told them about it. I was starting to worry
about crossing an unwritten line of "destroying too many books
in one year" or something. Son seems to be past this
destructive stage, but I'm still worried I'm abusing too many
books and making the librarians mad. On the other hand, we just
checked out a book with two majorly repaired pages, so I know my
son isn't the only book destroyer.
Secondary question: do you believe people when they say the
book was damaged when they found it? Over the years we've found
a bunch of those (edit: that had not yet been repaired) and I
hope they don't think I'm covering up even more damage by my
family!
#Post#: 76230--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: Rose Red
Date: July 7, 2022, 7:50 am
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The libraries I borrow from often write down any damage and the
date on the back page so they know the current borrower didn't
do it. Maybe you can suggest that to your local library.
I don't borrow grownup books that have too many rips and stains
on them even if I really want to read it. I find them gross and
annoying. I don't have children so I don't know how parents feel
about borrowing ripped up books.
#Post#: 76239--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: AvidReader
Date: July 7, 2022, 2:11 pm
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Retired public librarian here. As you select books for check
out, if you have the time, you might point out specific major
damage to the
circulation desk staffer, i.e., torn, marked up, missing pages,
dried up water damage, etc., or skip those books altogether.
Another recommendation would be to ask the children's librarian
for board books. Each page is made of thick cardboard and sturdy
enough (far more sturdy than most shipping cartons) to resist
the impulses of the most excited and littlest readers. I've
worked public libraries in three different states and am unaware
of some sort of threshold for damaged books. The practice of
asking for full price payment or an exact replacement for a
severely damaged book is pretty standard.
#Post#: 76242--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: Lilipons
Date: July 7, 2022, 6:37 pm
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Retired museum librarian here.
Apart from books getting signed out to curatorial offices, the
only circulation we had was through inter library loans. Before
any book was sent it was carefully examined, determined to be
fit for shipment and securely packed. Nonetheless, we would
receive back material that looked as though a tractor had been
driven over it. The explanation was always, ‘we received it that
way’.
IN MY EYE YOU DID!!!
As a result more than one prestigious university was removed
from our ILL list.
As for children’s books, I agree that board books are best for
the very young. In the early 1950s, when I was a little kid,
there were also cloth books that could be washed. they were kind
of gross but they worked. Perhaps the best solution for a very
young reader is a book on line with an adult.
#Post#: 76243--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: Winterlight
Date: July 7, 2022, 9:26 pm
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Current public librarian here.
As long as you tell us when there's damage and pay when
something is too damaged to fix, we're good. We don't keep track
of whose kid tears what, unless you're bringing back ruined
books weekly or something like that.
If you find a book that's damaged before you check out, bring it
to the librarian so we can pull it and either fix it or discard
it. If you find it when you get home, then tell us when you
bring it back. We err on the side of believing the patron as a
rule, so there won't be a charge.
#Post#: 76247--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: NFPwife
Date: July 8, 2022, 8:19 am
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--- Quote from: Lilipons link ---
>
> Retired museum librarian here.
>
> Apart from books getting signed out to curatorial offices, the
only circulation we had was through inter library loans. Before
any book was sent it was carefully examined, determined to be
fit for shipment and securely packed. Nonetheless, we would
receive back material that looked as though a tractor had been
driven over it. The explanation was always, ‘we received it that
way’.
>
> IN MY EYE YOU DID!!!
>
> As a result more than one prestigious university was removed
from our ILL list.
>
> As for children’s books, I agree that board books are best for
the very young. In the early 1950s, when I was a little kid,
there were also cloth books that could be washed. they were kind
of gross but they worked. Perhaps the best solution for a very
young reader is a book on line with an adult.
>
--- End Quote ---
I think we had a vintage cloth book growing up, thanks for
sparking that memory!
#Post#: 76253--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: Bada
Date: July 8, 2022, 10:41 am
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--- Quote from: Winterlight link ---
>
> Current public librarian here.
>
> As long as you tell us when there's damage and pay when
something is too damaged to fix, we're good. We don't keep track
of whose kid tears what, unless you're bringing back ruined
books weekly or something like that.
>
> If you find a book that's damaged before you check out, bring
it to the librarian so we can pull it and either fix it or
discard it. If you find it when you get home, then tell us when
you bring it back. We err on the side of believing the patron as
a rule, so there won't be a charge.
>
--- End Quote ---
Thanks Winterlight, that's reassuring--weekly destruction is
maybe the line of "too much"? We're definitely not there!
About the board books... the library has a very, very limited
selection of those. And 2yo attacks books his older brother
borrows too. So if people thought we were creating too much
damage (which some people on here seem to be hinting at?), if he
damaged another book and hasn't outgrown it like I'm hoping,
then I'd just stay away from the library for the next 6 months
or whatever until 2yo completely stopped tearing up books. We
have lots of books at home (including board and a few cloth
books). It's just really nice to get the variety that the
library offers. And nice for them to go somewhere other than
home.
#Post#: 76268--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: vintagegal
Date: July 9, 2022, 6:09 am
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You might be able to find children's books in the local thrift
store, for a minimal price.
#Post#: 76271--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: Rose Red
Date: July 9, 2022, 10:19 am
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--- Quote from: vintagegal link ---
>
> You might be able to find children's books in the local thrift
store, for a minimal price.
>
--- End Quote ---
Also visit several nearby libraries to see if they have used
book exchanges. I've seen so many children's books for free or
for around 25 to 50 cents.
#Post#: 76274--------------------------------------------------
Re: Damaging library books
DIR By: Gellchom
Date: July 9, 2022, 10:36 am
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We found that an effective way of teaching our grandson (now
almost two, but starting from well before age 1) to take good
care of books was to say, "We make nice to books!" He knows
what this means from, "Make nice to the kitty" -- i.e., be
gentle. So just use whatever you say for that.
I once heard a friend say to his kids, "Books are our friends.
They show us pictures and tell us stories. So we are nice to
our friends, too, and take good care of them." I like that. So
now that he can understand it, I say that to my grandson, too.
It seems to be working; he takes good care of books. Good
thing, because we live really close to the main library and go
there with him at least once a week, so they know him!
I'm glad I read this string because one of the children's books
we checked out this week has some pages missing, and you all
reminded me to tell them when we return it! Luckily, I know the
story of the Little Red Hen well enough to fill in. :-)
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