Agency

Parent: Now, when my kid turns 12, what happens?

Me: We switch them over from the Child card to the Teen card.

Parent: And what does that mean?

Me: They can take out whatever materials they want.

Child: Yes

Parent: But what about…

Parent, whispering: “R” rated movies?

Me: Yup

Child: Yes!

Parent: Well, I don’t want them watching that!

Me: Sorry, nothing we can do about it. We’re not going to violate their agency.

Parent: Their what now?

Me: After age 12, a patron gets to have total agency over what materials they check out.

Child: What’s agency?

Me: Autonom- uhh… it basically means you can do what you want.

Child: YES!

Patron: I don’t like that.

Me, internally: I don’t care.

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