Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Stop the all-day airing of non-educational videos in the children's section of STT's Turnbull Regional Library.
Final supporters
Since the addition of a large screen in the children's section of St. Thomas' public library, a scene that used to feature families sprawling on the mats, reading together, has been replaced by a scene of a few kids hanging out, usually alone, staring at a screen, unaware that they are in a room filled with wonderful books. Last week, I was informed that the new rule is that children may no longer READ on those lovely mats, because they are reserved for playing and watching videos, instead. Children wishing to read will have to go to another space, away from the children’s books and comfortable seating. My kids broke the rule by attempting to read on the mats, but were eventually curious to see what the music video with sexy dancing was all about (Bollywood?). It's time to do something about this.
I have asked for a schedule of when videos will be aired or not aired so that I can plan my trips that will include reading or selecting books around that schedule. No schedule exists, no educational programming relating to the videos exists, and I was informed that I am "the only one who doesn't like the videos." Conscientious parents (especially those of young children) usually choose when their kids watch something, how long they watch something, and what the content is. The last place I expect to have to compete with sub-par video entertainment is at a library. I thought a public library was an educationally focused, family friendly public resource that encourages the reading and borrowing of books. I know that I am not alone, so please make your voice heard, too!
This is a beautiful library, and someone clearly put some thought into choosing good children's books and ordering nice furnishings. Libraries can be a lifeline for families who lack the funds and space for a large private collection or access to a well-endowed private school's library. By constantly airing videos, it undermines the efforts of parents and care providers who understand the benefits of reading to and with children. It says that video entertainment (Disney films, music videos, soccer matches, and so on) is more important than reading and trying to better one's self.
If you believe that our island's children would benefit from watching fewer videos and reading more, please sign the petition. If you believe in having a say in what.where/when your kids watch, please sign the petition. If you believe that libraries can still be places where children get excited about books and have the freedom to focus on the selection and reading of books without being barraged/lured by distracting videos, please sign the petition. Developing enthusiastic readers and using our precious public resources in the way they were intended improves our whole island's quality of life.
For those who feel strongly, please voice your opinion when you visit the library, and send a letter to the Territorial Director of Libraries, Archives & Museums, Ms. Ingrid A. Bough at [email protected]
http://webshare.northseattle.edu/fam180/topics/tv/tvvsread.htm
http://winginstitute.org/Graphs/Home/TV-watching-vs--Reading-Scores-17-yr-olds/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/childrens-health/in-depth/children-and-tv/art-20047952?pg=2
http://www.winmentalhealth.com/images/teaching_children_reading.jpg
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201404/does-too-much-screen-time-make-kids-sick
More like this
Save Our Rockford Library
READER AWARE!
Updates
August 13, 2014
The momentum is building because parents are tired of competing with screens for their children's attention at the library. Post the link to this petition on your Facebook wall today. Send a quick email to the Turnbull Regional Library board members and demand the return of reading spaces for our kids.
8 Comments
The author of this petition probably has not spent enough time at the library to make these statements. I haven't had any problems and the staff is great...
Please do not sign this petition if you have not been in the library. I have never experienced any of these allegations. Videos are not played all day and the staff is great.
THATS CRAZY. who puts bollywood videos in a kids reading area seriously?
Totally agree. We come here for books not cartoons. My daughter was distracted the whole time last Tuesday because of the loud music coming from the screen.
I stopped taking my toddler there because of this exact thing. It used to be so peaceful.
As a matter of fact, I have spent a great deal of time at the library: mornings and afternoons, before and after the screen was installed, and I started a petition only because all avenues have been exhausted and I don't believe that I am "the only one" who takes issue with the video entertainment. Before the videos, it was a pleasant place to be-- we could sit on the mats and read. It is imperative that this wonderful resource be utilized in the manner in which it best serves the children (By the way, "librarius" is Latin for "relating to books"). It is unfair to those interested in books to have the library operating as a video babysitting service. The "allegations" are statements of what I have experienced at the library. With enough people showing that they care about children's literacy, it is my hope that the head of the VI's libraries will see that this is an important issue and offer training and guidelines to the staff on how to use their resources to best benefit the island's children.
Staff needs "training and guidelines"?
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Stop the all-day airing of non-educational videos in the children's section of STT's Turnbull Regional Library.
Final supporters
Since the addition of a large screen in the children's section of St. Thomas' public library, a scene that used to feature families sprawling on the mats, reading together, has been replaced by a scene of a few kids hanging out, usually alone, staring at a screen, unaware that they are in a room filled with wonderful books. Last week, I was informed that the new rule is that children may no longer READ on those lovely mats, because they are reserved for playing and watching videos, instead. Children wishing to read will have to go to another space, away from the children’s books and comfortable seating. My kids broke the rule by attempting to read on the mats, but were eventually curious to see what the music video with sexy dancing was all about (Bollywood?). It's time to do something about this.
I have asked for a schedule of when videos will be aired or not aired so that I can plan my trips that will include reading or selecting books around that schedule. No schedule exists, no educational programming relating to the videos exists, and I was informed that I am "the only one who doesn't like the videos." Conscientious parents (especially those of young children) usually choose when their kids watch something, how long they watch something, and what the content is. The last place I expect to have to compete with sub-par video entertainment is at a library. I thought a public library was an educationally focused, family friendly public resource that encourages the reading and borrowing of books. I know that I am not alone, so please make your voice heard, too!
This is a beautiful library, and someone clearly put some thought into choosing good children's books and ordering nice furnishings. Libraries can be a lifeline for families who lack the funds and space for a large private collection or access to a well-endowed private school's library. By constantly airing videos, it undermines the efforts of parents and care providers who understand the benefits of reading to and with children. It says that video entertainment (Disney films, music videos, soccer matches, and so on) is more important than reading and trying to better one's self.
If you believe that our island's children would benefit from watching fewer videos and reading more, please sign the petition. If you believe in having a say in what.where/when your kids watch, please sign the petition. If you believe that libraries can still be places where children get excited about books and have the freedom to focus on the selection and reading of books without being barraged/lured by distracting videos, please sign the petition. Developing enthusiastic readers and using our precious public resources in the way they were intended improves our whole island's quality of life.
For those who feel strongly, please voice your opinion when you visit the library, and send a letter to the Territorial Director of Libraries, Archives & Museums, Ms. Ingrid A. Bough at [email protected]
http://webshare.northseattle.edu/fam180/topics/tv/tvvsread.htm
http://winginstitute.org/Graphs/Home/TV-watching-vs--Reading-Scores-17-yr-olds/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/childrens-health/in-depth/children-and-tv/art-20047952?pg=2
http://www.winmentalhealth.com/images/teaching_children_reading.jpg
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201404/does-too-much-screen-time-make-kids-sick
Updates
August 13, 2014
The momentum is building because parents are tired of competing with screens for their children's attention at the library. Post the link to this petition on your Facebook wall today. Send a quick email to the Turnbull Regional Library board members and demand the return of reading spaces for our kids.
8 Comments
I disagree with both of these comments. I have been to the library about 5 times since the addition of the screen. Only once was it actually off. Most days, movies for older children were being played and one day there was gun violence on the screen. My kids are 2 and 5. This is not something I want them viewing. Libraries should be screen-free places and the addition of TV and movies should be in a separate space. I agree that the staff is fantastic. I don't think anyone is complaining about them, the room or the wonderful selection of books. But the library is for books, not TV.
The author of this petition probably has not spent enough time at the library to make these statements. I haven't had any problems and the staff is great...
Please do not sign this petition if you have not been in the library. I have never experienced any of these allegations. Videos are not played all day and the staff is great.
THATS CRAZY. who puts bollywood videos in a kids reading area seriously?
Totally agree. We come here for books not cartoons. My daughter was distracted the whole time last Tuesday because of the loud music coming from the screen.
I stopped taking my toddler there because of this exact thing. It used to be so peaceful.
As a matter of fact, I have spent a great deal of time at the library: mornings and afternoons, before and after the screen was installed, and I started a petition only because all avenues have been exhausted and I don't believe that I am "the only one" who takes issue with the video entertainment. Before the videos, it was a pleasant place to be-- we could sit on the mats and read. It is imperative that this wonderful resource be utilized in the manner in which it best serves the children (By the way, "librarius" is Latin for "relating to books"). It is unfair to those interested in books to have the library operating as a video babysitting service. The "allegations" are statements of what I have experienced at the library. With enough people showing that they care about children's literacy, it is my hope that the head of the VI's libraries will see that this is an important issue and offer training and guidelines to the staff on how to use their resources to best benefit the island's children.
Staff needs "training and guidelines"?
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I disagree with both of these comments. I have been to the library about 5 times since the addition of the screen. Only once was it actually off. Most days, movies for older children were being played and one day there was gun violence on the screen. My kids are 2 and 5. This is not something I want them viewing. Libraries should be screen-free places and the addition of TV and movies should be in a separate space. I agree that the staff is fantastic. I don't think anyone is complaining about them, the room or the wonderful selection of books. But the library is for books, not TV.