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Cook Library urges DVD policy for kids

After a few months of discussions, a Cook Memorial Public Library District committee on Wednesday backed a proposed policy that would allow parents to limit what types of DVDs and videos their kids can check out.

Under the guidelines, children under 18 years old would only be allowed to check out videos from the children's collection or family film collection if their parents or guardians requested such restrictions. The request would have to be made in writing, according to the proposal.

The three-member policy review committee debated the proposal for about half an hour Wednesday night at the main library in Libertyville. Members Chris Dalton and Mary Ann Phillips strongly favored the plan, while committee leader Ann Oakley again called for a stricter rule that would limit all children's borrowing abilities until parents requested exemptions.

"I still don't understand why the library can't be of better service to the parents," she said. "Why can't we meet community standards?"

Phillips argued that only a few parents have complained about the library's current policy, which allows children unfettered access to the district's full video collection.

"I have zero interest in having the library police my kid," Phillips said. "I'm the parent, not the library."

The full seven-member board could vote on the proposal in January, officials said. In an earlier meeting, most trustees said parents, not librarians, should decide what young patrons should be able to check out.

Despite anonymous automated phone calls that alerted local residents of the meeting earlier this week, only one attended the discussion.

Suburban libraries' video checkout policies vary. Some don't let anyone under 17 or 18 borrow movies. Others limit kids under a certain age to materials in the children's department - but only at the parents' request.

Many don't limit access to videos at all.

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