Apparently, the library children's room is a no-nursing zone!

[darien]

I just received an email from a friend. She's incensed at some very child-unfriendly practices at her local public library, including this--

She started to nurse her infant, while her hs'ing older son was reading. The librarian came and told her she couldn't nurse in the library-- anywhere. My friend asked if she could use one of the tiny, closed, video viewing rooms. The librarian would only let her if she actually took a video in and watched it! So, while toting a crying, hungry baby, she had to go get a video, and then close herself away from her older son!

Can the librarian get away with this? What's the best approach to take to change this ridiculous rule?

FWIW, I've been nursing my 2 year old in a branch a few miles from this one since he was a newborn-- no problem.

[St. Margaret]

No, they shouldn't be able to get away with that. Even without explicitly stated laws... but what state are you in? We can help your friend find the laws for her state-- that's awful!!!

[SleepyMamaBear]

uh isnt DC NIP friendly????

[darien]

Maryland.

[lissabob]

Maryland became the first state to enact a law that exempted from their sales tax law supplies that support breastfeeding, such as pumps, kits, shells, shields, SNS, feeding tubes, breast milk storage bags, finger feeders, and purified lanolin. In 2003, Maryland passed legislation regarding breastfeeding in public. The preamble, not reproduced here, recites the advantages of breastfeeding.

Md. Code §20-801.
S.B. 223, Chap. 369
Signed by Governor, 5/22/03

(a) A mother may breast-feed her child in any public or private location in which the mother and child are authorized to be.
(b) A person may not restrict or limit the right of a mother to breast-feed her child.

Hmm, seems pretty clear to me. I'd be writing a complaint letter and bending the ear of the local politicians!

[lotusdebi]

:
If you need any help, there are a number of Maryland lactivists you can elicit assistance from here: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...splay.php?f=81

[sapphire_chan]

I know people talk about over using nurse-ins but surely this calls for a group of 4-5 mamas who happen to all be visiting the library at the same time and who just happen to all have a copy of Maryland's law on hand?

Particularly if it could be on a day when the library's board of directors is meeting at the library?

[salmontree]

ooo if I was in the area, I'd be heading over to that library tomorrow and nursing away with a copy of the state law in my purse!

[Sagesgirl]

Definitely write a letter. That librarian was clearly breaking the law. Better yet, if she's got a friend who is lawyer, see about getting it written up on firm letterhead. Implicit threats sometimes work wonders.

[JamesMama]

I 100% agree with Sabra, that librarian violated the law and your friends civil rights. If she has a lawyer friend have one of them draft a letter. She probably won't get much more than an apologey but it's a start.

Also, I'm BIG on calling the media. Call the local NBC or whatever station out there.

[bullfrog]

Definately get the librarian's name and write a letter- cc it to a attorney. State the law in the letter and demand a reply by a certain date.

I would be there in a heart beat too NIP with a copy of the law in hand.

Please post the name of the library and I would be happy to write a letter in support.

[Scrubsjm]

Depending on where in MD, I'd happily be one of those 4-5 nursing moms who just happen to show up. This is just so weird to me considering my LLL meets at a Marland library!

[snowbunny]

I really do think she should contact an attorney and the local media. The librarian's actions are preposterous. I'd also draft a letter to the library's BOD.

There are laws in place that protect NIP.

[saucebox]

I wish that happened to me.

I'd sit right where I was and keep doing what I was doing.

No one EVER gives me grief over when/where I nurse my kid. I'm ready to sue anyone who thinks they'll stop me.

That just sucks. Time for a nurse-in, I say!

[green mom]

Wow. This is infuriating. While all public libraries should have a BOD. They can either be a governing board (independent and not in all rights public) or...in most cases,are a city or county provided facility. Their "board of directors" in fact only serve as an advisory group.

So, I'd call the library itseld for your friend (or just check their website) to check for either their independence (501(c)3 status) or if they are in fact governed by the municipality or county...in which case it seems, the city/county is liable.

I recently resigned as a public library director due to relocation (placing the friendly breastfeeding sticker on the door before my departure thank goodness). I can give you other national library org/assoc. info. if needed.

[Momtwice]

Before you start calling the media, an attorney etc. (all of which I support if they won't see reason) have you contacted her superior/s? Is she one of several in a children's dept. or is it just her? There may be a head of the children's dept. If not, the library director may be the person to contact.

[melikahiwa]

I would love to go nurse there, with or without an organized group. Feel free to PM the location of the library

[green mom]

Originally Posted by Momtwice

Before you start calling the media, an attorney etc. (all of which I support if they won't see reason) have you contacted her superior/s? Is she one of several in a children's dept. or is it just her? There may be a head of the children's dept. If not, the library director may be the person to contact.

Much agreed. Sorry, just got my activist adrenaline going for a minute.

[Momtwice]

Originally Posted by green mom

Much agreed. Sorry, just got my activist adrenaline going for a minute.

I totally understand mama bear rage, believe me!

[Meiri]

So a mother isn't authorized to be in the Children's section of the library while her child is there? wow. since when?

I hope she goes back with a copy of the law in hand to educate that lawbreaker. Contacting her superiors to let them know what's going on and the potential for legal action would be a good idea too.