Perhaps limiting the items that can be put on hold to five is too strict, and the Allen County Public Library is being unreasonable. But wasn't the previous policy of allowing an unlimited number of items to be put on hold a little too generous? Home-schoolers don't think so:
A change in policy at the Allen County Public Library is causing concern among home-schoolers - and, as a result, the Allen County Commissioners.
The commissioners said Monday people who are teaching their children at home have objected to the library's new policy of limiting the number of books and other items that can be placed on hold to five - making it more difficult to assemble classroom materials.
Am I wrong to object on philosophic grounds to what the home-schoolers want? The parents are able to send their children to public schools and choose not to (and considering the success of home-schooled kids, it's hard to argue that they get a bad education). That's their choice and their financial burden to bear. But they want me (and you) to help pay for it.
I already help pay for public schools through my tax dollars. My taxes go for library services, too, including the extra costs associated with the unlimited-hold policy. We all pay for public transportation. If I want to pay extra to take a taxi instead of the public bus, that's my call and my bill to pay. We all pay for police protection. If my neighborhood association also wants to hire a private security firm to patrol our streets, that's not your financial responsibility.
