Helen, please do not get the impression that I was in any way implying you and your mother are being piggish by having 5-10 books out, that's not what I was meaning at all! I just think giving a limit of 15+ titles at the one time is not simply generous, but to some its an open invitation to borrow more than they can read just because they can, which in turn leaves longer waiting lists for everyone else. There are plenty of people who will use that high lending limit within reason, I'm only saying that to me it seems a bit unnecessary.
As for kids, maybe it's different in the US, or maybe its even just local to my area in the UK that its normal for kids to have their own library membership, I don't know? I just remember when I was a kid that even though I was too young to go to the library without my parents, it was a great thing to have your very own library card and get books out in your own name. The simple pleasures of childhood
