Call me gullible - now there is a ball pit in the childrens library!

[imgoingtodisney]

What was she thinking? Just cos she got it for free is no reason to set up a ball pit in the Children's Room of the town library!
I know the balls will not be staying in the pit. The kids will be playing catch. I can envision kids using the blocks for bats. God help the first kid to get whipped with a ball! The kids get wild enough with the climber. And when we go to put books away in there, we will need to watch where we step so we dont break an ankle. Oh my, what was she thinking?!

OK so she finally told me that no the ball pit will be kept away for the baby story hours! Oh man, why do I fall for every joke they play on me?

 

[Cindy B]

I've actually seen something very similiar in a library where I used to go...

They had tons of toys, puzzles, games, and I do think something very similiar. This was in a very wintry climate without much decent weather, so it was a welcome respite...

Then I was a parent with a very small child... they were getting trampled on in the playgrounds.. and other things..

I would guess that the parents/patrons asked for it. My one concern with that would become a "babysitter" for the kids.. the parent will then tend to chat/go to a different part of the library.... because the kids are in the ball pit!

 

[epcotfan]

Wait till someone has an accident in there. Fun times cleaning that up! LOL. Seriously those pits are nightmares. I'd never let a child in there. To easy to spread germs around.

 

[AMClvsMKY]

Isn't the library suppose to be a quiet place?? Good luck keeping the noise level down to a minumum while the children are jumping around in that.

 

[Boo'sMom]

I think it's a great idea!!!!!

 

[Lars624]

Originally posted by Boo'sMom
I think it's a great idea!!!!!

I agree! It really could help make smaller children learn to enjoy the library.

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by Lars624
I agree! It really could help make smaller children learn to enjoy the library.

How does playing in a ball pit help children enjoy the library? I always thought the point of the library (at least for young children) was to enjoy story telling and learn about books.

I too would be afraid parents would come to rely on it to keep their kids occupied while they go off elsewhere.

 

[The LK 4]

I think anything that gets children interested in going to the library should be seen as a positive.

 

[bumcat]

I hope they clean them really good each day. Kids slobber all over those things. They have them at one of the pizza chains but they clean theirs.
I doubt kids it will get kids interested in books, instead parents will dump their kids there so they can look at books.

 

[JESW]

As a parent I despise those ball pits! Yes, they sure are fun for the kids, but they are also germ collectors! And don't forget about the kids in diapers that leak all over them. Our local McDonald's had one of those and the kids room smelled like a toilet...yuck!

DD4 and I spend a lot of time at the library. Personally, I would not want one in our library. I see libraries as quiet times - not a playground. We go there for the books and not to run around. But that's just me...

Jill

 

[Toby'sFriend]

DD4 and I spend a lot of time at the library. Personally, I would not want one in our library. I see libraries as quiet times - not a playground. We go there for the books and not to run around. But that's just me...

No it's me too.

 

[CEDmom]

What happens when these kids go to school and the library doesn't have all these fun things to play with but just has books. I think kids should be excited about going to the library because it is filled with books not toys. My 3 1/2 yo DD loves going to the library for story hour and to read a new book or two. JMHO.

Why don't you try selling the ball pit and using the $ for something quieter.

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't see how a ball pit will get a chld to enjoy a library for what it is . A library is not a playground or a McDonalds play area.

I think anything that gets children interested in going to the library should be seen as a positive.

Just how will a ball pit get a child interested in books? Instead I think it would back fire and children would expect to be intertained in such a matter all of the time at the library.

 

[ChiTownZee]

I hope you have a cleaning service set up to come in regularly. They HAVE to be cleaned often.

 

[nkjzmom]

I can see both sides....DS2 gets "done" looking for/at books quickly while the older 3 (8, 6, 4) take a little longer to select theirs. Something to keep the youngest's attention would be great.

But I'm sure they could find something a little quieter than a ball pit.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Our library has a boat in the children's room with toys in it and seats. The children's room is separated from the rest of the library by glass walls. I think a ball pit would be inviting to some of the families who might not ordinarily chose to go to the library.

 

[Mish19]

Originally posted by thelk4
I think anything that gets children interested in going to the library should be seen as a positive.

Whatever happened to the RIF program to keep kids interested?
I used to love going to the library weekly to pick out my new free book! I haven't been to the children's library in quite some time so maybe it's VERY different from what I remember.