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

may i ask those who do not let their kids take out books this question:

what about when your DC goes to elementary school?? will you write the librarian a note to let your DC be the only kid in class to not take a books b/c they are "dirty"?

i wonder b/c in my 13 yrs of being an elementary school librarian i have not heard this.....yet

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

We borrow books and DVD's. I never gave it much thought. Kids come in contact with so many dirty things in a day; I can't control everything.

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

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

So this has been something I have been ABUSED about for years!!! I skeeve library books!!! I would never take them out or let DD take them out either! I have felt this way even BEFORE marriage..kids...etc. I am NUTS! I always thought of it as people with hands that you don't know where they have been are holding the same book as you. What if they were in the BATHROOM! Think about it??? So for years I told everyone how AGAINST the library I am and I was seriously made fun of...then....

I worked in one of the major cancer hospitals in the city (I'm a RN) and they had VERY VERY strict rules on books the accepted into their "patient" library as well as sanitized and cleaned each book when they were returned. They didn't use paperback, had notices around about how the books had to be properly disinfected btw uses etc bc of their patient polulation.

So granted we are talking about immunocompromised people undergoing chemo, surgert etc which in no ways compares to the healthy population BUT obviously there is a concern out there and I am not the only crazy that has thought of it!!! LOL.
It just made me think about it even more
So to answer your post...your husband is correct!! LOL sorry....but that's My CRAZY GERMAPHOBIC OPINION!!! LOL

ETA: as a kid we went to the library 1x a week. Loved it. Always took out books etc. As far as my DD, we buy hee tons of books, she has a library here at home! When the time comes for her to go to school I won't take it as far as sending her with a note saying she can't take out library books...lol....I will have to deal with it then....just not ready to do that yet! And to all the ladies that said this is ridiculous to even think this....I AGREE!! I am nuts!! Lol.
Goobster..omg...I always use the bedbugs as an argument to support my thoughts....never actually heard of it!! That just makes me even MORE sick!!! LOL

Message edited 9/7/2011 11:16:36 PM.

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

i go to the library with my son all the time and we borrow both books and movies and never once considered it dirty

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

People worried about bed bugs...I guess you dont go to the movies either bc bedbugs can live in the seats??

Again, has anyone ever heard of anyone catching an illness from a library book (and I'm not talking about ppl in the hospital, that I totally understand)??

What about books at a bookstore...people touch and browse through them and put them back...

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

Money is dirtier than a library book.

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

Buying books from a book store is no different IMO.. Kids are always looking at books and putting them back. I have never heard of anyone catch anything or bring home bugs from books.. Spray them with lysol if it skeeves you out..

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

don't borrow them for myself or ds. I'm a germaphobe and i skeeve borrowed books.

i buy all our books - its a small fortune . so far i have over 100 books on my kindle that are mine alone bc i will not go to the library to borrow a book and ds has countless books in his room

saw someone picking their nose many many years ago while reading a book - not sure if it was theirs or a borrowed book but since then i refused borrowing books from the library

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

I'm a germaphobe but also a book worm. I pop my books in the freezer when I get home from the library hoping that it kills some of the germs... not sure if it works, but it gives me peace of mind

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

My 2 yr old LOVES books. There is no way I could go to the library and walk out with no books. I guess if my kid was always getting sick then maybe I'd worry about it. I'm not a germaphobe though so it doesn't bother me. Our library has so many wonderful programs I couldn't imagine not going.

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

please do not deprive your children of experiences because of a fear of germs -- I cannot think of anything more sad.




germs are everywhere -- playgrounds, amusement parks, museums, your neighbor's house, restaurants, libraries - all wonderful, beautiful places that all children should be able to enjoy freely!

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

Posted by Goobster

Posted by GoldenRod

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)

But people don't take those door handles into their bed and into their homes with them.

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

Posted by GoldenRod

Posted by Goobster

Posted by GoldenRod

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)

But people don't take those door handles into their bed and into their homes with them.

But I assume you *do* bring your hands that are now covered in germs back to your house...
And bedbugs can get on your clothes from just being out in public. If you ever go out in public at all, you are bringing germs and bugs back to your house.....

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

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

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

Posted by Karen

Posted by browneyedgirl

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?

I've thought about it...I think DH once said something to me about how he skeeves it- but it never stopped me in the past. I used to borrow books all the time.

I havent' in a while- just because I have ZERO time to read anymore- not because of the germs.

But I can see both sides of it... I'm just not that much of a germophobe.

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

yeah library books can be skeevy but so are alot of things we use daily. would never ever stop me from using the library and borrowing books. getting books from the library was one of my greatest pleasures as a little girl and I wont take that from my kids.
I'm a librarian and I know that most libraries try to go through their collections and weed out the ripped, old and/or skeevy books. I also would appreciate if you brought dirty books to my attention if you find them while browsing, we can usually order newer copies if it is a popular title.

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

Before DD, we went to the library at least 2-3 times a week.

With DD, we're there about the same and plan to take her when she's older to participate in programs and borrow books/dvds/cds/etc

I don't consider them dirty (used yes!) but all the materials I've taken out look well taken care of, if not new, but I also reserve certain items as well due to popularity.

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

Posted by Goobster

Posted by Tilde

please do not deprive your children of experiences because of a fear of germs -- I cannot think of anything more sad.

:

I take my child to the library. Often. Just don't take books home at this point. Any books we want, we buy. And we have loads. I don't see the big deal and certainly don't see that as deprivation.

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

I didnt mean just specifically about taking out books. Just in general, a fear of germs can restrict you so much!

And some of my favorite memories are of going to the library, getting my library card (only after I could sign my name!) and taking out books. Making sure I took care of them, returned them on time. It was one of the first things that I had to do "on my own" (of course not as a baby but as a little girl). So, I just hope that fear doesn't stop any parent from letting their child experience that (eventually!).

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

I LOVE germs.

bring them on. BRING EM baby.

I want a child with a healthy immune system. a little exposure can go a LONG way.

that being said, I don't have a library card, so I don't borrow books. but I have a ridiculous amount of books from my BIL's school closing, so I have school germs in my bed.

but if you think about it, most book stores kids sections allow you to go in there and look and touch anything. so even "new" books are likely to have been handled by random people.

you are doing a greater disservice in my unprofessional unmedical opinion by sheltering them from germs than you do by exposing them. I think that is basic health stuff, actually.

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

I was such an avid reader as a child (still am) and was at the library constantly growing up. I lived for those summer reading programs as a kid! That being said I plan on checking out books with DS when he gets to that age. Germs are everywhere.

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

Honestly, it never really occured to me. I have always gone to the library as a child and I plan on taking my daughter. I love books, I have always loved to read and I still do. I hope my daughter has the same passion so I want to take her to the library often.