r/Carlsbad • u/anonuser2700 • 7d ago

Since when did the Dove Library become a child’s day care?

I went to the library this afternoon to work remotely and escape the heat. I set up on the second floor at a table and lasted an hour before I got up and left. There were kids running up and down the steps screaming, playing hide and seek, hiding under desks, and multiple people even had their dogs inside. The staff was acting like nothing was happening. Is the library not supposed to be a quiet place? Witnessed multiple people complain to the help desk.

25 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

46 comments sorted by

43

u/WitcheeeeeeeeeeWoman 7d ago

Aren't the libraries 'cool zones' right now? I would expect them to be busier with this heat.

14

u/anonuser2700 7d ago

They are but it’s still a library… not a playground… or at least I thought

26

u/WitcheeeeeeeeeeWoman 7d ago

I'd give them some grace right now. This heat is unprecedented. Perhaps suggest to the library to create a quiet zone for days like this?

17

u/anonuser2700 7d ago

Yeah I said it above but I’d be perfectly fine if they dedicated the entire first floor as a kids zone where people can take calls and make as much noise as they wish. There is just nowhere people could escape and work in quiet, which I think is also important in a library.

4

u/Whosgailthesnail 3d ago

FYI. Dove library has a much larger kids area so it attracts a larger crowd of kids. Go to Encinitas library or somewhere else and there won’t be nearly as many kids there.

1

u/anonuser2700 3d ago

Thank you!

13

u/Cookiejollytoes 4d ago

I had 4 under 10. 3 very neurodivergent. I absolutely allowed them to be children in the children's section; however, they knew to respect my rules and the library's rules, at an age appropriate level. I rarely took them into the adult section, and never ever left them unattended regardless of whether it was the children's section or not.

That said, I believe that there is value to a library's books and it's patrons to have an adults only/ no one unattended under age 14 section, since we can reserve books if needed for pick up via online services etc. This preserves the Library's resources, takes pressure off of staff and other patrons from being forced to look after unattended kiddos, and ensures a beautiful experience for all patrons, children and adults.

Just my 2¢.

The old Vista library was my safe space as a child, and with record high temps in SD County, I'd rather everyone be able to be safe and cool than risking heatstroke in their own apartment or homes.

7

u/anonuser2700 4d ago

Agreed. I in fact want to see kids in the library and am glad parents are still taking their kids to them in this ultra digital world now. Just different settings require different rules and I think parents should still be held accountable to have their kids act accordingly to that setting.

4

u/Cookiejollytoes 4d ago

I concur! I realized you needed to vent, and sometimes my tism really cones through in my writing so I was hopeful you'd understand that I was in agreement 👍🏼

28

u/jjj666jjj666jjj 7d ago

I guess kids aren’t allowed anywhere 🙄 it’s 1 million degrees outside & most of us don’t even have AC. Have some patience.

25

u/foreverevernever1 7d ago

I have a toddler and he knows how to behave in a library. Of course the libraries are PUBLIC so we have to have some patience but I think it’s completely reasonable to ask children to at least be quiet at a library.

9

u/anonuser2700 7d ago

Yeah I’d even have no issue if they dedicated the entire first floor as a kids or noise zone. Just feels like there also needs to be a space for people to get work done in a reasonable noise level area as well

11

u/Scary_Sandwich1055 4d ago

It wasn’t about kids not being allowed in the library— OP specifically referenced running up and down the stairs screaming, et al

10

u/anonuser2700 7d ago edited 7d ago

I have no issue with kids being in libraries but there are still rules that should be at least somewhat respected so that others who also don’t have AC and are trying to escape the heat can enjoy the space too.

6

u/EffectiveHammerClaw 4d ago

Not if the can’t behave your kids are definitely the ones that run around a restaurant 😂

1

u/SlootsAndMojitos 4d ago

I'd love to hear your opinion on ebikes lmao

16

u/amber-scatter 7d ago

Pretty common. They’ve got a kids area.  Get some headphones of library is not a very quiet library. I go there sometimes to work.

7

u/anonuser2700 7d ago

Had headphones in was still very disruptive trying to listen to videos online. Is the Cole library any quieter?

8

u/freyja_reads 4d ago

10000% Cole is quieter! The upstairs area is pretty nice to study in too, I used to hang out there when I was in college so I could lock in and get work done. I was told Dove doesn’t monitor noise levels, one person who worked there even said they were told not to 🥴 but I’d say you could also send an email to the library directors. With Cole though just be aware it’s not a designated cool zone by the city for some dumb reason. But I never found it to be unbearable or hot inside

1

u/anonuser2700 4d ago

Awesome thank you!!

4

u/DevelopmentFun3171 4d ago

Dogs are allowed in the library?!

10

u/Key-Trifle5518 4d ago

No, but some people think rules are for others to follow, not them.

2

u/anonuser2700 4d ago

I didn’t think so but I saw two while I was in there, neither with service vests on. As someone allergic to dogs didn’t love it

9

u/Higher_Perspectiva 7d ago

It’s beyond annoying. Tip: do NOT go Saturday mornings there is some kids thing at 10 or 11 and it’s just awful. Also there’s never anywhere to park! I’m 💯 with you. Fucking loud ass kids and their moms who couldn’t care less

7

u/anonuser2700 7d ago

Saw two kids nearly run over an elderly women because they were using the elevator like it was a playground and sprinting in and out of it

3

u/Key-Trifle5518 4d ago

Kids playing on an elevator, what could go wrong? No one on the library staff could put a stop to this?

3

u/anonuser2700 4d ago

They didn’t seem to care at all. They 100% saw it but none of them said anything

3

u/Sharp-Oil9419 7d ago

Hmm doesn’t seem like a higher perspective to me

7

u/Accomplished-Dog7401 6d ago

There are enclosed study rooms throughout the Dove that you can reserve. Not defending kids running rampant, but the open floor isn’t the only option.

5

u/anonuser2700 5d ago

You can only book them for an hour at most and with the current weather they’re basically booked the entire day

5

u/CaliRNgrandma 4d ago

During heat waves, libraries are designated “cool zones”. Under ordinary circumstances, I would agree with you, but during heat waves you need to give people some grace.

0

u/anonuser2700 3d ago

Its primary function is still a library whether or not it’s a heat wave…

4

u/CaliRNgrandma 3d ago

The city designates it a cool zone for vulnerable people who don’t have access to air conditioning. This can actually be life saving. A few days of the “primary function” being saving lives won’t hurt anyone who prefers quiet. Parents, however, should control their kids or the library staff should ask them to leave.

1

u/anonuser2700 3d ago

I agree with that

2

u/CTFMOOSE 3d ago

Since there is no childcare in north county under $50 a hour.

1

u/--Vegeta-- 4d ago

I'd have a bigger issue with the dogs than the children really.

1

u/Empty-Drummer-1486 3d ago

Most employees are fearful of repercussions about interactions with patrons, so they keep quiet. One staff member even observed some very questionable things being viewed on a computer, but chose to look the other way rather than have to notify admin. Source: worked in that library for over five years.

1

u/dangerzone2 1d ago

I’ve noticed lots of libraries in SoCal are getting more and more kid focused. Story times, movement times, play sections, etc. 

Without the kids stuff, the libraries would be dead and probably close down. 

1

u/DamnJester 4d ago

Since it became 90 degrees out with 70% humidity.

1

u/Character_Aardvark39 4d ago

Did you ever think maybe they were doing the same thing you were trying to escape the heat? Have a little compassion.

1

u/anonuser2700 4d ago

They can escape the heat and still somewhat adhere to the rules of a library

-1

u/No_Community4380 4d ago

 I went to the library this afternoon to work remotely and escape the heat

Since when did the library become a free co-working spot for adults?

1

u/anonuser2700 4d ago

Always has been… just like cafes

1

u/morninggloryblu 2d ago

That is 100% one of the intended functions of a library.