Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I love going to the library with DS. We walked today and got stuck in the rain so I asked DH to pick us up on his way home from work. All of a sudden, DH has a fit that library books are gross and dirty. He does not want me to borrow books from the library anymore. I asked if he thought we should stop going to the library and he said yes!

Do you think library books are dirty?
Do you borrow books from the library?

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

Yes, we get books from the library.

I guess they technically dirty but I never thought of them that way.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I've never borrowed books for DS from the library. Mainly because I know I would either forget to bring them back or lose them.

I have borrowed movies for DS. The thought that they could be dirty never even crossed my mind.

I'd have to ask DH his opinion, he is a total germaphobe, and see what he thinks

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I've never heard of anybody catching anything from a library book! There are probably more germs on your toilet handle...and exposure to some germs now and then makes your immune system stronger...we can't live in a bubble!

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

They borrow books from the library at school once they start

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I am a germaphobe and they do gross me out. Not to mention I have read that dreaded bedbugs can hide in them if they were at an infested house recently.

So I personally don't take them out, and would not like to if I had to down the line. But if I absolutely had to, then I would. But the thought of hands all over them does SKEEVE me. Someone could have sat on the toilet with that book.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

We borrow books from the library all the time..My mom used to take us when we were kids and we turned out fine.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I rarely take out library books because I can never remember to return on time, but my mom works in a library, so I always had library books in the house, in my bed, etc. growing up. I turned out just fine. I think your DH is being a little ridiculous IMHO.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

This is so strange to me--do you let them play on a playground? Sit at a table in a restaurant? Touch the door to a store or building? Touch an elevator button? All of these things carry more germs than a book. Even with the book being on your bed--if you buy new clothing and put it on your bed before washing, other people tried it on, and there could just as easily be fecal matter on that. I know it's gross, but germs are everywhere. I take precautions when I can, but don't want to shelter DS from joys in life.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

From high trafffic libraries, like ours in brooklyn, I'm skeeved beyond belief. I will even go so far to say the books smell.

But I feel like if books have time to air out, they are less germy.

I buy second hand books, and I'm more comfortable with that, because they wipe them down where I get them and I feel like no one even looks at them.. Maybe you could just take a baby wipes to the cover?

If I remember your DH is in medicine? I swear med school makes them over and unreasably paranoid about germs. Talk to him about clean theory. I believe library germs, smelly as they can be, are part of what builds good immunity to bigger bugs.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

DS loves the library and his books. I find this kind of strange to be honest and sad to know that people think this way about libraries. If your DS loves it and his books. . .keep going!!

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

Yes I think they are dirty.
Yes I still take them out. I love the smell. Lol.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

Posted by DPerotti

DS loves the library and his books. I find this kind of strange to be honest and sad to know that people think this way about libraries. If your DS loves it and his books. . .keep going!!

Message edited 9/7/2011 8:55:54 PM.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I think that the front door to the library has more germs on it than any of the books inside....

(That also applies to any door to any public building that people push or pull to get in or out)

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

now i've heard it all on here! i'm a librarian-so i guess this surprises me....but then again, yes there are SOME books that are gross and i do admit that i take the newer nicer books out most of the time.

i can't imagine going to the library and refusing my DD/DS a book. oh and if they are gross you can wipe the ones with a mylar jacket down with an antibacterial wipe. at the library i worked at the workers had to clean off the jackets as a job.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I try to pick the ones that look newer to be honest. I get a little skeeved by the ones with dirt and crud all over them. If you are scared about bed bugs, fan the pages before you go in your house.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I have taken them out prior to having babies. I told my DH I wanted to eventually take the babies to story time there and he said they are too dirty. Funny since I am the germaphobe!

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Sorry, no offense to your husband. When we were growing up, my dad took my siblings and me to the library every Friday afternoon when he got home from work. We were always going to the library and I loved it! I so appreciate that he did that for us. When my son gets a little older, I will definitely take him to the library, as well as all my future children. I would never want to limit them to only the books we have in our house simply because of everyday germs that they will encounter everywhere they go anyway.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

everything in the world has germs. absolutely everything.

we borrow 5-10 books a week and i'm starting a lasting tradition for my kids and teaching them to love books and reading. and that's a healthy thing.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

When I was in college , I worked in the children's section of the library. I have a 2 year old who, to this day, has not taken out a library book.

I have put my hand on top of them, and had them stick to me. Kids do NOT cover their mouths or noses when they cough or sneeze. If a parent isn't around, I guarantee they don't wash their hands after using the bathroom.

I know my kids have to learn about the library. I'm just not ready for it yet. I still feel "cooties" when I think abou tit.

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

yes I get books from the library. Yes, they are probably dirty but not nearly as dirty as the playground or school bus....and you wouldnt' think twice about the playground or school bus right?

Depriving your child of a library is more damaging than the germs on the books. KWIM?

Re: Do you borrow library books? Do you consider them dirty?

I consider them free, and a way to offer variety to DS. Sure they've been through many hands, but he'll have to deal with that all through life. I just make sure he doesn't put them near his mouth.