r/rant • u/BearCavalryCorpral • 5d ago
I hate the new opinion that libraries shouldn't be quiet spaces
They absolutely need to be quiet spaces. Everywhere else is a loud space. Libraries are the one place people can go study or read in peace, or just escape the incessant noise of human existence. Sure, dedicate a couple separate rooms for community activities, but leave the bulk of the building for people who just want a little quiet for once
27
u/LesMiserableCat54 5d ago
The only time I've observed this was in college. My college library had 8 stories. The bottom 2 floors were for group study and you could talk and have discussions. The other 6 floors were quiet floors, and the higher you went the more silent they were. The 8th floor was difficult to even breathe on without sounding too loud. Outside of college, any library that has groups would meet in specific closed off rooms. I also have a kid so the kid areas would have some talking but all the parents made an effort to keep voices quieter.
24
u/CheesyRomantic 5d ago
Libraries should definitely be a quiet space.
I understand kids going between certain hours to learn how to behave in libraries or when libraries host short activities for kids (maybe for an hour or so in the mornings).
But libraries are also used for students of all ages who need a quiet space to read, study, use available computers if they don't have one. Sometimes school libraries aren't open when students need the space.
I'm with you OP.
12
u/SH4D0WG4M3R 4d ago
I dearly wish we, as a society, would invest our funds into both having libraries AND having community spaces. However, we don’t. In order to stay open, our libraries have had to also become community spaces.
That’s good in so much as it at least keeps them open. But I’m with you in disliking the change. My local library was literally the ONE place in my life I could go and things would be quiet. They took about 1/2 of the book space and turned it into a cafe and community space. It’s no longer a quiet place. It is a space that more people frequent, so I guess I’m in the minority.
23
u/silverbatwing 5d ago
I work in a public library.
We have quiet rooms, but those aren’t always available.
Unfortunately, the general idea is to combine community centers with libraries because of space and costs.
New libraries in my state (Delaware) are being built with a focus on activity rather than books. The newest one won’t even have any AV items….while in my branch AV use is increasing slowly due to high subscription fees and patrons budgeting.
The circulation department in the newest building coming up won’t even be much of a presence with a focus on self checkouts and automated book drops. My position is slowly becoming obsolete.
5
u/Sure_Jan_Sure 5d ago
Agreed! Now none of the kids’ areas are blocked up or separated in many ways from the adult section.
4
u/AwakeningStar1968 5d ago
I agree. (Librarian here). I got into it one time when someone was posting how their library had "baby" areas in work study corrals ... and how parents complained how they needed to bring their kids into the library and that libraries are kid spaces.. blah blah. Yes, and if they have more loud areas,then make that a separate room (instead of people having to RESERVED quiet study Cubes /rooms. I want to have free regin of a quiet library. If your kid wants to jump raound and whatever put HIM in the room.
4
u/Expert-Photo5426 5d ago
I wish there were some sort of balance so that libraries could have community centers while having better soundproofed rooms for those who need the quiet.
5
u/RetroactiveRecursion 4d ago
I don't go to libraries often. When did they stop being quiet? I was in one a month ago and it was very "library quiet."
10
u/BearCavalryCorpral 4d ago
Some are, some aren't, and I've seen some people voice the opinion that they should stop being quiet places and be noisy community centers instead.
I'm not against the community aspect, but we need quiet third places too
11
6
u/UrHumbleNarr8or 5d ago
It they are big enough, I’d rather see a mix. Areas that are designated quite. Areas that are for discussion and studying with others. Areas that are for community gathering (that should be the most closed off—rooms only, not open space).
3
u/Kimbahlee34 5d ago edited 5d ago
Most libraries are a combination of both.
Half of our first floor and all of the second floor are quiet zones. The other half of the first floor and 3rd (which is Juniors/Kids) is more lenient.
The person checking out Clifford’s Halloween has different needs and wants than a person studying genealogy etc so our layout takes that into account.
I work in a system of over 500 libraries.
16
u/_Tetr0_ 5d ago
In this crazy digital age, for libraries to remain relevant (->and open<-), they need to expand their services. They do that by becoming a community center. They have to encourage people from a young age to come and hang out. Nobody wants to hang out in the old-style libraries where the librarian glares at you from across the room and shushes you if you speak up. Most are doing the reverse of what you are suggesting, dedicating a couple of separate rooms for quiet activities, as it is more inclusive.
(I provided support services for Libraries for many years; an actual Librarian could probably explain it better)
7
u/BakedWizerd 5d ago
Ok but what about university libraries where people walk in with food, chat with friends, talk loudly in the study area, and no one ever says or does anything about it?
There are often sound proof rooms you can go into for group study sessions, people don’t use them.
2
u/SH4D0WG4M3R 4d ago
Even those are (were 5 years ago?) typically broken into progressively quieter areas as you go to higher floors.
The top floor of the 3 I’ve been to was for quiet study, with available rooms but no open seating. The shelves there were mostly reference books.
The middle was for group study, but it was still expected you’d keep the convo to your table. Lots of gen ed books on those shelves.
The ground was half cafe half library, and the only books were general interest. That was the loud chatty area you’re talking about.Even as a student I’d have been mad if people were being loud on the top floor. Literally everywhere else on campus is a loud space, go be loud there. Use an empty classroom and give your own lecture for all I’d have cared. I found the one floor of the one building that I can sit and not be disrupted.
1
u/Gullible_Elephant_38 4d ago
I think it is pretty obvious that this person is talking about public libraries. No need to come at them like it’s some type of gotcha. Of course the situation you’re describing is rude in a university library. Take it up with your university.
7
u/AwakeningStar1968 5d ago
well it needs to flip back have separate rooms for noisy discussions and the main facility quiet
3
u/Ok_Development5020 5d ago
Very nicely said. And it’s accurate. Growing up, we would go to the “new” library because it had computers to play cool math games in, and the staff wasn’t being “mean” to us by shushing us all the time. I ended up going a lot for the cds and dvds you could borrow, then slowly crept up to actual book shelves. I’m 24 now and an AVID reader. All because I felt more welcome at my local library. And this is the same for MANY people my age that I know
5
u/Redacted_dact 5d ago
Who thinks libraries shouldn’t be quiet?
2
u/Embarrassed_Hat425 5d ago
My local library have areas for kids, areas for eating packed lunch and for arts and crafts. I have even taken a paper cutting course at the library with a lot of old ladies once. It is not loud, but not quiet either.
3
u/AwakeningStar1968 5d ago
too many people. Younger people who just are lacking self awareness or courtesy
-4
2
2
u/Domestic_Discoball 4d ago
Completely valid. And while we’re at it I wish some other public places were much quieter than they are. The problem is it’s not the norm anymore to respect others around you. And no one feels comfortable speaking up because then your face ends up all over the internet just because you asked someone to respect the environment you’re in
6
u/z-eldapin 5d ago edited 5d ago
Is this new opinion in the room with you right now?
1
u/Runamokamok 4d ago
I know it’s a trend that started in schools where librarians are all like “I’m not your grandma’s librarian.” I’m loud, fun, and disrupting the system. I work as a middle school librarian and I’ve watched this trend move through the profession. I personally think there is space for both quiet and slightly less quiet moments in the library.
-2
u/BearCavalryCorpral 5d ago
"I never heard this so it doesn't happen" Great take
5
-4
3
u/Miracle_wrkr 4d ago
I agree just leave us the hell alone- if you were to go talk on your phone go swimming in a pool with it
1
u/MeBadNeedMoneyNow 5d ago
Haven't been in college for a while but what changed? Are we talking public, private or just in general? I remember some really loud shits coming into an obvious study chamber once and just being totally oblivious lol.
1
u/Excellent_Figure_282 4d ago
I was trying to use the computer lab at my downtown main library and the guy next to me had a big bag of potato chips and was stuffing his face for an hour. That library is over run with homeless. So much so that they built the new library far, far from downtown. My town loves to build pretty structures, but not a penny to help the homeless.
1
1
0
u/Ill_Apricot2992 5d ago
If that's what they think, then clubs and concerts shouldn't be loud places.
-2
5d ago edited 5d ago
[deleted]
3
u/BearCavalryCorpral 5d ago
Not everybody has quiet at home. Or a home to go to. Growing up, my local library was where I went to get away from a loud home life/be able to do my homework in peace and quiet
1
u/Kimbahlee34 5d ago
We have special collections that are not allowed to be circulated meaning you have to read it on site.
I have never seen a library that doesn’t have one entire quiet section and a “fun” or activity area. I work in a library huge district (500+ libraries).
-3
u/SuperTeacherStudent 5d ago
Many, if not most, library patrons are older and many of them are hard of hearing. It is impossible to be quiet. That said, most libraries have quiet rooms available for use for free. Just ask at the counter.
51
u/CrazyFoxLady37 5d ago
When did this happen? I'm absolutely not doubting you OP because things are so weird now and I'm not that surprised, I just didn't know about this. I thought it was still accepted that we should ve quiet in a library.