Remember when libraries were quiet places, very similar to churches? I sure do. This is no longer the case at two of Halifax’s libraries, and, as a friend of mine has informed me, no longer the case at a certain Dartmouth library. What do you get now? Clowns carrying on as though they were at home or out on the street. They talk out loud, curse out loud, talk on phones and stuff their faces with chips and chocolate bars and anything else they can inhale. They loiter. They generally do as they please. I have complained, gone over the heads of managers, filled out complaint cards. I have spoken to those in authority. They have returned my calls. However, nothing has really changed. So, to all you dumbasses out there who have no conception, no clue as to the basic operation of a library: SHUT THE FUCK UP! —MGP
This article appears in May 24-30, 2012.
I remember quiet libraries. It was nicer then, more respectful. Valuing respect got tossed out the window so long ago it’s only we older folks who notice the difference.
Libraries used to be places to sit relax and enjoy a bit of piece and quiet while browsing the various collections for things to borrow, reading, researching, asking questions, studying, even using computers etc. Now they have become places to run into grab something fast and get the hell out of as quickly as possible. Noise levels often seem higher than in an arena, especially at branches with a lot of glass or stone in the interior. Should be interesting to see if the new one turns into a glass enclosed horror show. Looks interesting from the plans, but the proof will be in the usage of the building and what the sound levels will be like. Fine to change some aspects from the ‘old days and ways’, but there should still be some really quiet areas provided as well.
Yikes – that should have been ‘peace’ in my last comment – must have been concentrating on the ‘piece’ of chocolate I was noshing on when writing it! Then again a ‘piece’ in a library may be interesting. 🙂
We library staff work hard to make sure that everyone feels welcome in the library, and ensure that it feels like an open and inviting space that the community can enjoy for everything from quiet studying to cultural events. Respectfully, we do what we can to keep the library comfortable to work and study in, without isolating anyone, including parents who bring young and excited children. Those loud kids(and sometimes teens) are our future readers and we owe it to them and society(and indeed the future of the library itself) to keep them reading, being educated and engaged in lifelong learning. We have many programs, sometimes loud and energetic to bring in new patrons and revitalize our communities interest in the library at the same time. If we see someone doing something they shouldn’t, we address it as best we can, but society is changing and so is the libraries role in it. Trust me, library staff have been educated in the changing roles of the library, and as shown by the excellent response from much of the public, we are doing something right. If you can think of a better way to keep libraries relevant and thriving into the future without a change which has brought forth more energized and enthusiastic ways to engage the public let us know. The days when a library was just a library are long gone. We are a library, a community center, a safe place in a new country, a resource for parents, a playgroup for kids, a computer lab. This is a place for people to come together to share ideas and to learn from one another. I know sometimes it might not seem like anything is being done but trust me- sometimes education and change can’t be boxed in and kept silent.
that’s why we have and use the net,o.p.
library etiquette guy: you need to get out more pal.
Remember when libraries were quiet places? Remember when dinosaurs roamed the earth? Times are changing.
No Fool’s right, you really need to get out more.
Manners these days,ob, ARE ABOUT AS PREVALENT AS SAID DINOSAURS.
If you like silence, stay home, or invest in ear plugs. They should sell a jug of disposables behind the desk @ the library.( they are sold @ community college book stores, for this purpose) Just a thought.
I don’t remember libraries being like that at all, op. Nope. At every level of schooling, the library was a place to exchange ideas more so than read alone in absolute silence. As a side note, the sexy librarian is by far the best of the ‘sexy’ professionals, i.e. Nurses and such.
So what you’re saying Pace is that we cannot expect children (or teens) to follow rules or respect the sanctity of the quiet reading room. If they can’t be expected to constrain themselves a little bit at a library of all places or consider the comfort of others, what does that say for the future?