Should children be banned from library?
By espoir
@espoir (184)
China
August 22, 2013 12:11am CST
Recently a newly-opened library in a city of China carried out a rule banning children from entering the reading rooms as they are too noisy.
Opened on early August, citizens and media soon reported that too many young children visitors turned the library into a noisy playground and the library soon carried out the rule.
It caused wide controversy in China as many people think public service should be open to anyone including children.
3 responses
@sminut13 (1783)
• Singapore
23 Aug 13
i agree that children shouldn't be banned as libraries are also there to help them inculcate good reading habits from young, improve their knowledge and so on. they should have a good system and other people should also be understanding that there is bound to be some noise. but as the earlier post suggested, it would be better if libraries have maybe a level dedicated for children's books and others for adults and then teens.
at the same time, those with kids should be understanding enough too, that if they want to go to adults' section or anyplace else, then they should ensure that their kids are quiet, if not they can leave their kids with maybe a relative while they go search for their books as some would be disturbed as some would go to libraries to study or do work. that's what i do anyway, and how the system is where i am.
they encourage parents to bring children, have programs for children of different ages and that's really good.
@espoir (184)
• China
23 Aug 13
Barring them from the library just make the library's job easier and certainly is not a reasonable solution for the matter. Public service like libraries should make decision based on the interests of all people. I expect the policy will be withdrawn soon.
@flpoolbum (2978)
• United States
23 Aug 13
No, do not ban children. The library is a great place to not only help to get a child interested in reading, it is a great place for children to explore and a way for them to explore the world around them without being stuck behind a computer screen! If parents can't understand this policy or don't want to bother teaching their children that the library is a quiet place and to respect the rights of others, then those families should be asked to leave the library. Don't let a few loud and unruly kids and lazy or ineffective parents ruin the wonder of the library for other children and families.
@IvySilverdew (12)
• Shanghai, China
22 Aug 13
Perhaps setting up a book club specifically for those kids who might be too noisy would be a tentative way for the time being.