[OPLINLIST] Teen Cards

[Nicholas Slone]

In Adams County, we recently created a limited child card, in an effort 
to get all students, K-12 registered for a library card. Checkouts of 
physical items are limited to 5 books at a time only, but that does 
include books on CD. Our rules are slightly different, but I stole this 
idea from Cincinnati Public Library after seeing Kim Fender present 
about it at a SWON meeting.

We had already done away with all juvenile fines, and just extended that 
to all patrons. Under our fine free policy, when there are 3 or more 
items overdue, the patron cannot check out any additional items. We're 
still in the process of getting to all of the schools, but began by 
contacting each school and requesting class lists for all students. A 
card is then created for each student, whether they already have an 
existing card or not. This streamlines the process and allows us to make 
sure each child has a card. I drafted a letter to go home with 
parents/legal guardians, indicating the rules for the cards, along with 
information about upgrading the cards to full privilege cards by signing 
for responsibility or having the card merged with their existing card.

Last year, we had already changed policy to allow anyone, regardless of 
fines/lost item fees, use the public computers. Our thinking was that we 
don't police people picking up books off the shelf and reading in the 
library, because they don't take the materials home with them. So, along 
those lines, we shouldn't prevent anyone from using a stationary 
computer, while in the library, because of fines/lost item fees.

Along with the limited child cards, we also changed our internet use 
policy, regarding minors, from "opt-in" to "opt-out." We've had many, 
many more parents complain about having to visit the library to sign for 
permission than we've had parents complain about their child having 
access. So, with all of the limited child cards, and now all juvenile 
cards, they are automatically granted filtered internet access, and a 
parent must request that their child's access to the internet be 
restricted. Again, all of this was included in the letter that went home 
with each student.

A side note on eliminating overdue fines: If you're thinking about doing 
it, I highly recommend it. For most libraries, overdue fines account for 
1% or less of revenue. For that amount of money, I've never encountered 
another initiative that makes both staff and patrons happier than 
eliminating overdue fines. Most of us have levies, which means making 
local patrons happy might be an even higher priority than it used to be. 
By comparison, the levy accounts for 47% of our revenue, here. Best of 
all, it involves stopping an action, so it can be implemented quickly 
and easily. Unlike other new initiatives, it actually FREES UP staff 
time, which can be devoted to more important things.

Sincerely,
Nicholas Slone
Executive Director
Adams County Public Library

On 1/23/2017 2:19 PM, DJ Digianantonio wrote:
>
> Great Brain,
>
> Our library is currently looking into offering cards to our Teen 
> patrons without a parent signing for it.  Do any of your libraries out 
> there in Libraryland offer such a card?  If you do, what kind of 
> restrictions do you place on the card (fines, number of items, any 
> item restrictions, etc.)?  Do you have a special application for this 
> age group you are willing to share?  Do you put any computer use 
> restrictions on the card specifically?  If you did this in the past 
> and no longer do is there a reason you discontinued?  Any insight you 
> can provide would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Warmest Regards,
>
> DJ Digianantonio
>
> Head of Reference/Teen Services
>
> Rodman Public Library
>
> 215 E. Broadway St.
>
> Alliance, OH 44601
>
>
>
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