library cards.... what age and do you have a system?

I was thinking of getting my 5 and 3 yr olds library cards. They'd have a "library bag" where they'd keep their books/DVD's etc along with their card. Does anyone else have a system that works so that the kids take ownership of their belongings?

Re: library cards.... what age and do you have a system?

Both boys have library cards. We have a bookshelf for their own books and a 'book bin' next to it for books/videos that they borrow from libraries or friends - the borrowed stuff is ALWAYS in there if they aren't reading/watching. We try to get to the library once a week - but we have due dates on their chore calendar just in case.

Re: library cards.... what age and do you have a system?

I have a 5 year old and a 4 year old.
They each have a library card that I hold. We have one bag for books and DVD's. It's their responsibility to make sure that all the books/dvd's make it into the bag to be returned on time.
I hold their cards - They are allowed to present them to the libarian when we check out and hold onto them until we get home.
Then I take them back.

Re: library cards.... what age and do you have a system?

My older 2 have library cards (8 & 6). I keep them in a specific spot in the kitchen and we take them if we are going to the library. We have a bin on a shelf under our TV for all library books - from the public library or school so they always know where they are when it's time to bring them back. Sometimes they share books so it's best to have it together, plus our adult books too. I take the slips from the librarian and put them all in one clip on the fridge & we mark off if we bring stuff back.

Not sure if the description above falls under them taking responsibility in the way you are thinking but I have been taught one specific spot for something (anything) is the best method to teach them. And with your kids ages, it's better to have control over it purely from a financial standpoint too. My DS has ADHD so the more simple & organized the better. Without being anal, I try to do that, it saves tons of stress for everyone. If they cant find a book, they pay the fine from their banks or aren't able to get another book out on library day at school. Now if I could get DH to follow along, we might have a fighting chance hahaha

Re: library cards.... what age and do you have a system?

Our library doesn't give cards until they are 5. And they can't check out movies on their card until they in high school or something like that. So those are on my card.

Other than that we do the same as everyone else - library books and movies go in a certain spot. If they are due and not there they have to find it or pay the overdue fines.

I usually remind them about a week before they are due that we need to take them back and they look at the calendar with me and we figure out which day we should go. If it's an especially activity heavy week I'll take them while they are at school.

ETA: School library books go in the same spot but I leave it up to them to remember to take them, which they are good about. DS's class goes every Wednesday so it's easy to remember. DD's school is on a 6 day cycle and she always remembers which day it is and which special she has so she knows to bring in her book or wear sneakers on gym day.

Message edited 3/9/2011 10:19:06 AM.

Re: library cards.... what age and do you have a system?

I had to get my son a card when he was an infant. They wouldn't let us participate in any of the library programs and story times unless he had a card. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to make it a special thing for him when he got his card and since he was so young he obviously wasn't even aware! He loves the library so I thought it would have been nice to make a big deal over it. Three and five years old seem like great ages to take them to the library to get their own cards. They will feel so proud!

Re: library cards.... what age and do you have a system?

I let my boys get library cards when they were able to write both their first and last name unassisted (about 5 years old).

It was HUGE for them, they were super excited!

Re: library cards.... what age and do you have a system?

hahahahahahah if you read my last post you'll see that I never let him take ownership of his books at such a young age.

Aidan got his first library card when he was about 6. We would hang the receipt on the fridge so we (i.e: I) knew when they were due back.