Uptight Westchester Library Bans Balloons!

Photo by Scouting NY

Libraries are sticklers for their rules—and they have a lot of rules—but check out the latest one at the Yonkers Public Library: NO BALLOONS. While bringing a balloon to the library doesn't seem to be a trend here in the city, it was apparently a thing in Yonkers if enough people were bringing balloons to necessitate this sign. We've contacted the New York Public Library to see if balloons are banned in their branches, or if they'd consider such a ban, and have asked for a list of all banned items from the main branch on 5th and 42nd (if a previous visit there taught us anything, this list will probably include croissants). Stay tuned! [via Scouting NY]

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on January 17, 2011 3:46 PM

Comments [rss]

glenni1948

We obviously need more info on this balloon ban. This sign is the only one I have seen (at the Yonkers Riverfront Branch).

Denise C.

Someone probably has a latex allergy. I recently visited someone in the hospital and there was a sign stating that latex balloons were not allowed in the building for that reason (however, you could buy mylar balloons in the gift shop).

robingee

First it's no balloons in the library, NEXT thing you know it's no slide whistles at the Post Office. Nazis.

Derek Balling

My guess: they have very high ceilings, and kids tend to accidentally release balloons which then sit up on the ceiling and eventually someone wants to get them down off the ceiling, and that involves ladders or pellet-guns, and it's just a pain for the library.

Just guessing.

aspiringrapper

The majority of city library branches have neither guards nor security gates. A sign on a wall won't stop people from stealing DVDs or bringing in guns or balloons.