Let’s keep large interactive screens out of the babies/toddlers/kids section of our public libraries.

I was at the Saanich Centennial branch (at Tillicum mall) recently, and was disappointed to see a new large screen table with games on it in the toddler/kids zone. After hearing from multiple other parents who agreed it was disappointing to see at the library, I felt encouraged to create this petition to have it removed from the kids section of the libraries (Saanich Centennial, Downtown, and Esquimalt branches). 

Libraries have always been one of the few spaces free of screens, where books are the star of the room. I worry that by introducing a large interactive screen in an environment meant for babies, toddlers, and young children, that it draws those same children away from the boredom and free time needed in order for curiosity to spark and drive them towards a book.

It’s difficult for books to compete with a large interactive screen for the attention of small children. 

Since seeing the table I have been brainstorming solutions for the Touch to play screen. I understand the intent behind wanting to provide accessibility to digital games to the public, however having it in the kids section creates more challenges than it solves. I reached out to the library and asked if they would consider moving it to one of the private rentable rooms in the library. I suggested it could then function similarly to the other STEM products available at the library, where you “rent” a room to have access and engage with it. This would then be providing accessibility within a controlled environment, and by the choice of parents seeking it. The response I received from the library didn’t seem promising or open to moving the tables outside the babies/toddlers/kids zone, as they expressed the screen being covered and unavailable Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings (before, during, and after their baby/family programs) was sufficient. I disagree, and believe the need to unplug it during library programs further emphasizes how distracting it is. 

On the TouchToPlay website it emphasizes the benefits for seniors. An additional benefit to moving it outside the kid zone is that it would be more accessible to members of the community who aren’t at the library with small children.

I share a strong passion to protect our libraries and am aware of the vital benefits they provide to our communities. My hope from this petition is that we can keep the kid zone in the library an environment where books can continue to be the star of the room, and one of the rare spaces still free of screens.