Posted on 04/11/2006 5:19:44 PM PDT by Chickensoup
Today I called my local small town library which is staffed by wonderful people. My 11 year old son was with me and we were calling to renew his two library books. The librarian said that he actually had six books out and several were overdue. I asked her which ones were out and her statement was: I cannot tell you because of your son's right to privacy.
I thought she was joking.
Then I became angry.
I later spoke to the Head of the Library Board who told me that he was equally shocked that there was such a law on the books. The law states that anyone with a library card is guaranteed the right to privacy. And our library gives out cards at age 5. He said the Maine State Library Association is very powerful and it would be difficult to change any rulings.
Guess what folks, parental rights are being eroded in favor of children's
And parents are still responsible for the fines.
Here is the Maine State Library Association's perspective: issueshttp://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/view/columns/1484378.shtml
And the American Library Association http://www.ala.org/al_onlineTemplate.cfm?Section=april2005ab&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=91053
Maine State Law
Maine Legislature Title 27: LIBRARIES, HISTORY, CULTURE AND ART Chapter 4-A: LIBRARY RECORDS 121. Confidentiality of library records Records maintained by any public municipal library, the Maine State Library, the Law and Legislative Reference Library and libraries of the University of Maine System and the Maine Maritime Academy that contain information relating to the identity of a library patron relative to the patron's use of books or other materials at the library are confidential. Those records may only be released with the express written permission of the patron involved or as the result of a court order. [1997, c. 146, §1 (amd); §2 (aff).]
Some insanity if you want it.
It simply says express written permission. It would be pretty amusing to take the crayon signed consent into court and see where that went. I'm having a bit of fun thinking about the questions to be asked on direct and redirect. Who makes your peanut butter sandwiches. Who tucks you into bed at night. Who reads you stories. Does your mom love you and want to protect you.
He checked out the books. Just because you don't like the policy (and I agree) does not mean keeping them is a good response. The only potential effect is hurting your son's record. May even go on his credit rating someday after the fine grows over time and he becomes 18. (Some articles were posted several months ago about libraries reporting to credit rating companies) Sure legally he might not be responsible due to his age but why create a mess for him? Just have him find out what books are out in your presence, have him return them, the cancel his card or whatever.
DISCUSSION ABOUT:
"Local Library Refuses to Disclose 11 yo Child's Withdrawals to Parent Cites Privacy Rights"
If the left had their way, babies would be taken from their parents at birth for indoctrination.
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the crayon signed consent
I may be wrong and the legal beagles please correct me, but I dont think children can give legal consent.
You will undoubtedly find that the central themes of most of them are troubled youths, suicide, homosexuality, vampires, and sex.
When my children are paying their own utility bills and rent - I.E. ON THEIR OWN - is the day they get their own cards.
He checked out the books.
Actually I checked out the books under his card. What a conundrum.
You will undoubtedly find that the central themes of most of them are troubled youths, suicide, homosexuality, vampires, and sex.
I police what my children read until they are 17
It is really a shame. They used to only be for child predators and queers. What is the world coming to anyway?
It is really a shame. They used to only be for child predators and queers. What is the world coming to anyway?
Not little local town libraries. They are the heart of most small towns.
ML/NJ
I wouldn't discuss overdue books or fees with them then. I would tell them it was a privacy issue and that they needed to speak to the person that checked them out.
Who is liable for the overdues or replacements on these books?
Me. A child under 18 cannot make a legal contract.
Minors are deemed not capable of legally consenting to having sex. There is a good reason for that, I think. Other than that, they can testify if they can establish that they know the difference between truth and lying. Imagine this question: Mommy asked if she could see what books I took out and I said yes. After all, Mommy takes me to the library and then drives me home with the books and helps me read them. I mean, this is ridiculous.
Is testifying different than giving legal consent?
Go down to the library and cut your son's library card in half in front of them--it will make them mad enough they'll want to accuse you of child abuse, and he can always use your card.
They get it at our idiot universities. It's like a virus.
[Guess what folks, parental rights are being eroded in favor of children's]
Thanks for the post C and thanks for the ping W.
Yes the state is taking away parental rights. If the American Library Assoc and the ACLU had their way, every public library would be able to distribute most any material to people of any age.
They get it at our idiot universities. It's like a virus.
Why dont we fight it? Are we so weak. My taxes fund this nonsense.
Yes, it is. The standards for granting consent would be less stringent, if everyone was acting rationally.
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