Baby changing facilities in Greystones library

Shazerina

Was out today and needed to change a wet nappy on a 6mth old. The coffee shop we were in didn't have facilities but felt there was room on the ledge beside the sink. As we were heading to the library, I decided to wait. A public building was bound to have changing facilities. Esp a library which is a family 'destination' - and a library refurbished in the not too distant past would surely have them?... Nope! And not so much as an apology or a 'we'd like to' from the staff. Instead a defensive 'none of the Wicklow libraries have them' response was what I got.
Maybe I am expecting too much, but how hard would it be to have one of those pull down ones mounted to the wall?

loyatemu

if only there was a local election coming up...

Cerco

I think it was an oversight not to provide the facility during the refurbishment. Perhaps it was due to lack of space. The allocated space is cramped and not well maintained. Saying that some patron's hygiene leave much to be desired.


I also note a severe lack of investment in new books. I guess the cut backs are now being felt in the local libraries. In such circumstances I would prefer to see any available funds being invested in new books.

It was my understanding that a portion of the household tax was to fund libraries. Alas that was before Irish Water was set up.

Shazerina

loyatemu wrote: »

if only there was a local election coming up...

Indeed. But No one calling tonight to canvass...

Shazerina

Cerco wrote: »

I think it was an oversight not to provide the facility during the refurbishment. Perhaps it was due to lack of space. The allocated space is cramped and not well maintained. Saying that some patron's hygiene leave much to be desired.


I also note a severe lack of investment in new books. I guess the cut backs are now being felt in the local libraries. In such circumstances I would prefer to see any available funds being invested in new books.

It was my understanding that a portion of the household tax was to fund libraries. Alas that was before Irish Water was set up.

I absolutely agree that books should take precedence in a library Esp in more straitened times.
But with such a lovely refurbishment job you would have thought that a simple changing table would not have been too much bother? I mean, it is a public building for use by the public...of all ages...

Eponymous

Shazerina wrote: »

Indeed. But No one calling tonight to canvass...

Sure about that? Someone posted up on the Charlesland Facebook page that McGahon & Co knocked on her door after 8:30 last night, waking her children.

I also got yet another McGahon "postcard" in the door overnight again ignoring the sign on my door. I guess now that he knows he has lost the votes in my house he's just trolling me.

On topic, I'd never have expected to see changing facilities in a library. I'd be more annoyed that a coffee shop which benefits greatly from mummies (and sometimes daddies) stopping for a coffee with a baby doesn't have those facilities.

HappyDaze007

as above...

Coffee shops yeah... but Libraries..? seriously..

I thought Libraries where a hush hush place.....Like in-fairness who wants a screaming kid whilst studying/reading etc...??

just my 2c

Shazerina

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

as above...

Coffee shops yeah... but Libraries..? seriously..

I thought Libraries where a hush hush place.....Like in-fairness who wants a screaming kid whilst studying/reading etc...??

just my 2c

Ooooohhh!!! Controversial!!
(And my kid doesn't scream fwiw!)

Charlie-Bravo

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

I thought Libraries where a hush hush place.....Like in-fairness who wants a screaming kid whilst studying/reading etc...??

Are you serious with that comment? Have you heard of 'Universal Accessibility'? Some people may associate it with access for people with disabilities; it also includes access for everyone, including non-disabled and people of all ages such as requirements for baby-changing facilities. The library is a public building, and should be accessible to all.

HappyDaze007

Nope never heard of Universal accessibility, Still like i say it was my 2c worth...

I'll stand in the naughty corner for the rest of the day so...!

Arthur Beesley

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

as above...

Coffee shops yeah... but Libraries..? seriously..

I thought Libraries where a hush hush place.....Like in-fairness who wants a screaming kid whilst studying/reading etc...??

just my 2c

Good call.

DubOnHoliday

Baby changing facilities and libraries, nope, never would've made that connection.

Charlie-Bravo

Fine, I hope I have opened some eyes then.

Cheeky Chops

A public library should have a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. It's absurd to think otherwise!

pixbyjohn

astrofluff wrote: »

Fine, I hope I have opened some eyes then.

And how about 24 hour opening, I love reading at night:D

HappyDaze007

Cheeky Chops wrote: »

A public library should have a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. It's absurd to think otherwise!

Disabled toilet.. Yes of course..
But baby changing facilities...? Come on... There is plenty of pubs and even more cafes in greystones that no doubt have these facilities.

We all know how quiet it is in libraries for obviouse reasons, so no one will want a wailing banshee in there also....

Like a prev poster had said, library and baby changing do not go together... Like I've never heard of someone saying "I know what I'll do today, ill go to the library to read and bring the nipper with me too..!?!?!

Cerco

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

Like a prev poster had said, library and baby changing do not go together... Like I've never heard of someone saying "I know what I'll do today, ill go to the library to read and bring the nipper with me too..!?!?!

I suspect you are not a frequent visitor to the Greystones Library.

HappyDaze007

Cerco wrote: »

I suspect you are not a frequent visitor to the Greystones Library.

No and wouldn't want to....

Maybe they could start a mother and toddlers events there...

RosieJoe

So far from this thread I have learned that all babies cry constantly ( or that's the impression given anyway) and libraries are no places for a parent to go with a child. There must have been something wrong with my kids as they didn't spend all their nappy wearing time crying. And God forbid I bring my child to a library to try open their eyes to knowledge. I'd be far better off bringing them to a pub to give them a different type of education.

sillysocks

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

No and wouldn't want to....

Maybe they could start a mother and toddlers events there...

Our local library does have a mother and toddler group there every week! Plus they've a little area where the kids books are with bean bags and a few toys so young kids lie going there. I think libraries have changed a lot the last few years.

HappyDaze007

sillysocks wrote: »

Our local library does have a mother and toddler group there every week! Plus they've a little area where the kids books are with bean bags and a few toys so young kids lie going there. I think libraries have changed a lot the last few years.

Holy moly..... They have changed...
Long gone are the signs saying " silence in library" ...

HappyDaze007

RosieJoe wrote: »

So far from this thread I have learned that all babies cry constantly ( or that's the impression given anyway) and libraries are no places for a parent to go with a child. There must have been something wrong with my kids as they didn't spend all their nappy wearing time crying. And God forbid I bring my child to a library to try open their eyes to knowledge. I'd be far better off bringing them to a pub to give them a different type of education.

You learnt nothing from this thread, babies don't constantly cry and I never gave that impression.
I wouldn't say there is anything wrong with your kids but taking them to the pub might work, plenty of families do everyday but I'd rather take my kids to school to get a education and buy them books etc etc for the house.

I've too much common decency to go and wreck other people's study, reading time in the library.

Over and out...

RosieJoe

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

as above...

Coffee shops yeah... but Libraries..? seriously..

I thought Libraries where a hush hush place.....Like in-fairness who wants a screaming kid whilst studying/reading etc...??

just my 2c

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

Disabled toilet.. Yes of course..
But baby changing facilities...? Come on... There is plenty of pubs and even more cafes in greystones that no doubt have these facilities.

We all know how quiet it is in libraries for obviouse reasons, so no one will want a wailing banshee in there also....

Like a prev poster had said, library and baby changing do not go together... Like I've never heard of someone saying "I know what I'll do today, ill go to the library to read and bring the nipper with me too..!?!?!

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

You learnt nothing from this thread, babies don't constantly cry and I never gave that impression.
I wouldn't say there is anything wrong with your kids but taking them to the pub might work, plenty of families do everyday but I'd rather take my kids to school to get a education and buy them books etc etc for the house.

I've too much common decency to go and wreck other people's study, reading time in the library.

Over and out...

The 2 times you mention babies in the library you refer to them as either crying or wailing. Ever think that they can be quiet at all?

As for pubs, IMO it's not the greatest environment for a family day out. Once in awhile yeah, but I'm not going to sit them down for the 80's Sunday lunch of Red Lemonade and Tayto on a regular basis.

And why should education stop at school? I have loads of books at home but there is nothing wrong with me availing of the books in the library.

super_furry

If a child is young enough that they're not toilet trained, I'd question the educational value they'd get from a library.

RosieJoe

super_furry wrote: »

If a child is young enough that they're not toilet trained, I'd question the educational value they'd get from a library.

I agree, but should that stop the Parent from visiting the library?

loyatemu

RosieJoe wrote: »

I agree, but should that stop the Parent from visiting the library?

Parents may have older kids as well.

I can't believe anyone is arguing that libraries shouldn't have baby-changing facilities. Every public building should have them where practical (and it is practical in Greystones Library as its been refurbished and extended quite recently).

legrand

For those of you that feel strongly about the need for changing facilities in the library, you can contact your newly elected local public representatives to get it done.

abacus120

The ldies toilet in the libray is disgusting,the smell turns my stomach,i hate when im in there with my daughter and she has to go,its disgusting and looks like it is never cleaned,i wouldn't want to change a baby in there.

HappyDaze007

legrand wrote: »

For those of you that feel strongly about the need for changing facilities in the library, you can contact your newly elected local public representatives to get it done.

Or just go to any of the cafes or pubs and leave the folk in library in peace..!

I can just see the new sign now..

"Greystones Library/creche and public p!ss pot..!"

Suppose they did extend the library so it'll fit...

Charlie-Bravo

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

Suppose they did extend the library so it'll fit...

I'm glad to see you are slowly coming round to favouring this. Otherwise: \thread for me.

HappyDaze007

Reminds of that train station in wales where the sign in longer than the platform..

Listen im not getting in a hit, bob and shot arguing.. not that im arguing..

Im just trying to say, if it was me id choose other/better places to change my kid that is all...and in fairness im not surprised the op got the response from the library girl, she get the same from me too..... but with a smile..!

loyatemu

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

Im just trying to say, if it was me id choose other/better places to change my kid that is all...

go on then - you're in the library and need to change your child's nappy.

Where's your first port of call?

myoreflex

Totally agree with initial poster- its absurd that there are no changing facilities in a public library. Had the same experience over a year ago- took my toddler to the kids corner in the library which is perfect for small kids to sit quietly and read and learn the concept of borrowing a book and bringing it back. Needed to change newborn and urgently- received the same response from the "friendly" librarian and we had to cut our lovely outing short to go back to the car and drive home to change a nappy- was a real shame.

HappyDaze007

loyatemu wrote: »

go on then - you're in the library and need to change your child's nappy.

Where's your first port of call?

Seriously..? Erm... The Burnaby pub...? Or 1 of the 96 cafes we have...

Yawn..

artvandelay48

I was walking by the fire station when I needed to change a nappy. I was appalled that this county council building did not offer baby changing facilities.

Charlie-Bravo

Must have been some dirty nappy to need assistance from the firemen. Fire stations are not public buildings. Perhaps I can suggest the Garda station for the argument, which is partly accessed by the public. Now that building is non-compliant for basic access (stepped approach). Hopefully by the end of 2015, public buildings are required to meet those provisions

Buildings which are public buildings on the date when section 25 of the Disability Act came into force (i.e. 31 December, 2005) or which become public buildings after that date, must be brought into compliance with Part M of the Building Regulations 1997 (as amended) by 31 December 2015.

https://www.ombudsman.gov.ie/en/About-Us/Legislation/The-Disability-Act/

Separately (and probably should be a thread on its own), I would like to compile a list of buildings accessed by the public in Greystones which anyone feels does not meet the basic requirements. Universal accessibility is about providing access for everyone to buildings which are accessed generally by the public. Please PM me with any areas which you feel need to be addressed, including banks, cafes, restaurants. Older buildings before the introduction of the newer building regulations may not need to comply.

To give you an example, a designated disabled toilet being used as a store room - this being kept locked from people who need to use it.

Chocolate fiend

HappyDaze007 wrote: »

Seriously..? Erm... The Burnaby pub...? Or 1 of the 96 cafes we have...

Yawn..

To be met with the response that facilities are for patrons use only, so you go and buy a Club orange to change a nappy.

Of course a library (especially a newly refurbished one) should have changing facilities, anyone who thinks otherwise is simply wrong. There is a children's section in the library, small babies like to look at pictures in books and it is a great way to start their lifelong love of books. Libraries are not just for students and people who don't want to stick on the heating at home.

darter

The world has gone stark raving bonkers! At least some parts of it. It is a LIBRARY, not a community centre. A library is a place for reading books, and should be a quiet place. For those of you unclear on the concept, see wikipedia's definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library

There is absolutely no requirement for a library to have changing facilities. (Yes of course to disabled access.) Nappy-wearing toddlers with attention spans of minutes shouldn't be in a library in the first place. Babies especially not.

This notion of entitlement is absurd. It is your baby, so your responsibility, not all of society. When you go out with your toddler you know if there is a chance that his/her nappy will need to be changed (as in, a 100% chance!), so plan for it. Don't demand and expect that the whole world revolves around your needs.

Where there SHOULD be toilets and changing facilities is the DART station. And there was until some eejits kept damaging them, so now they are locked up.

Best place to go is The Happy Pear... They love kids there.

Shazerina

myoreflex wrote: »

Totally agree with initial poster- its absurd that there are no changing facilities in a public library. Had the same experience over a year ago- took my toddler to the kids corner in the library which is perfect for small kids to sit quietly and read and learn the concept of borrowing a book and bringing it back. Needed to change newborn and urgently- received the same response from the "friendly" librarian and we had to cut our lovely outing short to go back to the car and drive home to change a nappy- was a real shame.

Precisely! I thought I was a bit weird there in not leaving my baby at home alone whilst I took my older boy to the library. I don't have someone to mind him during the day for me and my older kid is heading to bed around late opening time so day time is (strangely!) the only time I can go to the library with my little boy and need to bring my baby with me.

Shazerina

darter wrote: »

There is absolutely no requirement for a library to have changing facilities. (Yes of course to disabled access.) Nappy-wearing toddlers with attention spans of minutes shouldn't be in a library in the first place. Babies especially not.

.

When were you last in the library? And did you check out the children's corner? You might change your perception of toddlers if you check it out the next time you are there.

Agree with you on the DART station.

But again, maybe I'm weird, or my toddler may be, but I can't predict his nappies 100%. And in any case, in my op it was the baby's nappy I was referring to.

poldebruin

I don't understand people complaining that people are asking for a basic facility to be available in the library, as if once installed, mothers and fathers will be flocking to the library to change their baby's nappies there. We're talking about a fold-out shelf and possibly a bin/disposal unit - hardly a sense of entitlement.

The notion that babies don't belong in a library is ludicrous, as is the idea that they will be screaming and crying the entire time.