Re: [Videolib] borrowing restrictions for movies

[S Urwiler]

In my experience, this kind of policy is a holdover from when videos cost $50-$100 each.  The concern was that young patrons would lose or damage them, and the repair and replacement costs were out of reach of their parents.  I worked for a library with this kind of policy, and it had nothing to do with content.  When the policy came up for review, I was able to successfully show that the replacement cost for DVDs should no longer be a consideration for having children check the videos out, and we changed the policy.

My current library has a vocal conservative element (we are very rural), so we have an option for parents to choose whether they want their children to be able to check out videos or not.  If they check "no parental consent needed", we check out any DVD, regardless of rating.  If they check "parental consent required", the child cannot check out any audiovisual materials without their parent present.  

I still have a problem with this; however, it is worth it as a way to keep our parents happy, who are concerned that their children might check out a movie "that shows a breast.".  We also do not charge any fee.  Our community is very low-income, and even Netflix subscriptions are out of reach, so a $.50 or $1 charge would make it impossible for them to check out movies.  Another library in the next county that charges the fee for DVD checkouts (really, rentals since they are charging) advertises that they use the money to build that collection, and they say patrons are fine with it. 

I'm sure you've also heard or tried to use the argument that you don't restrict the books children check out, so why restrict the DVDs (or music or video games).  In my experience, this doesn't really work to convince parents.  Probably because their children are less interested in smutty books than R-rated movies or M-rated video games.  

Good luck getting that policy changed.  I hope you are successful.

Sheila Urwiler

Patron Services Manager

Starke County Public Library System

Knox, Indiana

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From: Julia Churchill <jchurch...@olpl.org>
To: "videolib@lists.berkeley.edu" <videolib@lists.berkeley.edu>
Sent: Mon, June 27, 2011 3:32:42 PM
Subject: [Videolib] borrowing restrictions for movies

Hello everyone,

    I would like your opinion on an policy that has bothered me since I took this job approximately seven years ago. Each year we revisit it and each year we keep the same policy.

 

    I work in a medium size public library that serves a population of 55,000. The borrowing policy of the library prohibits patrons under the age of eighteen from checking out any DVDs or videos. We also charge an “Insurance fee” of .50 for residents and $1.00 for non-residents per item.

 

   I know what ALA would say about restricting access to these items. However, this is not a perfect world where parents watch what their children check out from the library. We have had enough controversy at this library and I don’t think we want any more. Heaven forbid if little Johnny should take home a movie that shows a breast! We do have a vocal conservative element in the community.

 

   So my question is, what should we do? Keep the policy? Change it to allow everyone access? I should tell you that because of this policy I buy some unrated movies and plenty of R rated.

 

Julia Churchill

 

Audio Visual Supervisor

 

Oak Lawn Public Library

9427 S. Raymond Ave.

Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453

 

jchurch...@olpl.org

 

Oak Lawn patrons can download e-books from www.mediaondemand.org

 

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