To be fair libraries are very active places, there are plenty of quiet spaces in most of them as well for this reason. Why can’t we accommodate everyone? We aren’t talking pumping music, just basic conversation, which already happens.
If it gets too loud, there’s always the quiet places for people that want more peace ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
If it’s against the rules, they’ll be kicked out, like it happens already… and if they allow the music, well you are free to choose another library that fits your specific needs. Just like the ones using the louder library since it’s already for them.
Since I’m a Technical Consultant for my local library I can honestly say I was in one just last week. In fact I’m logged into their system right now making some adjustments to their public access computers. I know what patrons are doing when they think no one is looking and I know exactly what would happen if Libraries were open late so people could lounge around.
Many libararies are already employing Security Staff to keep things under control during regular hours and there is no reason to think that it get any better ‘after dark’ so to speak.
So you work offsite, rarely visit, and are making sweeping judgements on how patrons you don’t even see or interact with would be behaving in a hypothetical scenario?
the part where logging in to a computer remotely is apparently as good as visiting a place in person fucking sent me. this is what being online 24/7 does to a person.
Btw where the fuck did they say that they never visited the place?
It doesn’t say that anywhere because I’m physically in there 3-4 times a month and have been for nearly 20 years. I really wonder how long its been since the people shit talking have been in a Public Library and witnessed what’s going on in them these days. Our Library, in a town of roughly 60,000 people, had to get Security back in 2018 because there were too many unruly patrons causing problems for the Staff to handle.
Was there again this morning and remembering this “conversation” I asked the Executive Director, Business Manager, and the Assistant Director about it.
These were the three comments they all made, although in slightly different orders:
-“How is it going to be funded? Keeping the Staff and Security here until 10PM or later would be expensive and its not in our budget.”
-“A lot of people won’t come out after dark so it would likely be the same people that come and sit here all day. They’d just be staying later.”
-“We have enough behavior problems during the day. I can’t imagine how it would get late at night.”
I also asked the head Librarian about the Library as a 3rd Space for the public. She shook her heard and said “I understand the idea but it wouldn’t work. The Staff isn’t here to play baby sitter so people can sit around and chat.”
So there ya’ go; three Administrators and a Librarian.
Now I challenge YOU to go to YOUR local Library and talk to the Administrators and Librarians there. I’m interested to know what they tell you.
Please. People regularly ignore that social convention in public spaces like Mass Transit and Parks. Why do you think libraries would be any different?
I wonder if the public perception and use of libraries would be improved if they weren’t these strangely silent book temples and were instead places of public learning and conversation.
Were they even that way? I mean, from as long as I can remember there was quiet and non quiet times, quiet and non quiet spaces in librairies. I’ve never heard of one were it is fully silent all the time. Isn’t that just the case in movies for comedic effect?
In my VERY limited experience, school libraries tend to be quiet/silent while public ones are more communal with varied loudness spaces. But a lot of people only experience school libraries.
My hometown library was quiet all the time in the 80s, but it was also basically one really large room and any noise carried really well so they enforced quiet. The state college library was similar, and enforced quiet when I went in the 90s because people were studying.
Most libraries in the movies are also large, open spaces and like everything else they play up the extremes or the writer’s experiences. Since movies tend to stick with stereotypes, so don’t expect a library scene in a movie without someone being hushed any time soon.
I wish. Getting scolded by an old crone for daring to use your voice in the library never leaves you. Children can be excited or loud sometimes, but libraries exist to make them seen, not heard.
Something the AI that drew it left out. Dude on the couch on the left has three feet. This is as much as the AIs vision as it is the OPs, without the prompt we’ll never know.
It’s not about turning it into a place for discussion really. Part of it’s just being around other people. I’m willing to bet that there are studies out there that suggest that even being around other people in settings like this is healthy and has some benefits.
“What if we took a place known for being quiet and made it loud?”
Ok, then let’s make a new space called a loudbrary.
Perhaps some sort of community drinkbrary, as seen in the image.
To be fair libraries are very active places, there are plenty of quiet spaces in most of them as well for this reason. Why can’t we accommodate everyone? We aren’t talking pumping music, just basic conversation, which already happens.
If it gets too loud, there’s always the quiet places for people that want more peace ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
YOU may not be but I guarantee that within the first 60 minutes at least three people are going to try and do just that.
If it’s against the rules, they’ll be kicked out, like it happens already… and if they allow the music, well you are free to choose another library that fits your specific needs. Just like the ones using the louder library since it’s already for them.
Be honest, how long has it been since you’ve been in a public library?
Since I’m a Technical Consultant for my local library I can honestly say I was in one just last week. In fact I’m logged into their system right now making some adjustments to their public access computers. I know what patrons are doing when they think no one is looking and I know exactly what would happen if Libraries were open late so people could lounge around.
Many libararies are already employing Security Staff to keep things under control during regular hours and there is no reason to think that it get any better ‘after dark’ so to speak.
So you work offsite, rarely visit, and are making sweeping judgements on how patrons you don’t even see or interact with would be behaving in a hypothetical scenario?
Lol.
the part where logging in to a computer remotely is apparently as good as visiting a place in person fucking sent me. this is what being online 24/7 does to a person.
Reviewing the actual logs which collect data over long periods is more reliable.
Btw where the fuck did they say that they never visited the place? For all we know they have worked for the library onsite for months or even years.
Yeah, I know what you mean…
It doesn’t say that anywhere because I’m physically in there 3-4 times a month and have been for nearly 20 years. I really wonder how long its been since the people shit talking have been in a Public Library and witnessed what’s going on in them these days. Our Library, in a town of roughly 60,000 people, had to get Security back in 2018 because there were too many unruly patrons causing problems for the Staff to handle.
wow you seem to have taken that really personally, almost like you’re a sock puppet
Was there again this morning and remembering this “conversation” I asked the Executive Director, Business Manager, and the Assistant Director about it.
These were the three comments they all made, although in slightly different orders:
-“How is it going to be funded? Keeping the Staff and Security here until 10PM or later would be expensive and its not in our budget.”
-“A lot of people won’t come out after dark so it would likely be the same people that come and sit here all day. They’d just be staying later.”
-“We have enough behavior problems during the day. I can’t imagine how it would get late at night.”
I also asked the head Librarian about the Library as a 3rd Space for the public. She shook her heard and said “I understand the idea but it wouldn’t work. The Staff isn’t here to play baby sitter so people can sit around and chat.”
So there ya’ go; three Administrators and a Librarian.
Now I challenge YOU to go to YOUR local Library and talk to the Administrators and Librarians there. I’m interested to know what they tell you.
One word: headphones
Please. People regularly ignore that social convention in public spaces like Mass Transit and Parks. Why do you think libraries would be any different?
“Speakers not allowed. Anyone using them will be expelled and banned from entering again” (or something like that)
I’ve got to be honest that picture is just a pub with books.
But free and no booze, so
I’d prefer free with booze ty
A library doesn’t care about you buying shit just to be there though?
Hell if I could just bring my own food to a pub and hang out I would.
I wonder if the public perception and use of libraries would be improved if they weren’t these strangely silent book temples and were instead places of public learning and conversation.
My county library has tons of spaces to be loud and engage with others, hosts a lot of events and to be honest has only a few quiet spaces.
The public perception of libraries being super quiet book temples is really outdated.
Were they even that way? I mean, from as long as I can remember there was quiet and non quiet times, quiet and non quiet spaces in librairies. I’ve never heard of one were it is fully silent all the time. Isn’t that just the case in movies for comedic effect?
In my VERY limited experience, school libraries tend to be quiet/silent while public ones are more communal with varied loudness spaces. But a lot of people only experience school libraries.
My hometown library was quiet all the time in the 80s, but it was also basically one really large room and any noise carried really well so they enforced quiet. The state college library was similar, and enforced quiet when I went in the 90s because people were studying.
Most libraries in the movies are also large, open spaces and like everything else they play up the extremes or the writer’s experiences. Since movies tend to stick with stereotypes, so don’t expect a library scene in a movie without someone being hushed any time soon.
I wish. Getting scolded by an old crone for daring to use your voice in the library never leaves you. Children can be excited or loud sometimes, but libraries exist to make them seen, not heard.
Your library isn’t? Mine has events all the time
Two words: flourescent lighting
Guess what’s not depicted in the above illustration?
Something the AI that drew it left out. Dude on the couch on the left has three feet. This is as much as the AIs vision as it is the OPs, without the prompt we’ll never know.
The place you’re talking about isn’t even open during the hours being discussed. Which is the entire point of this post.
Who cares who is being loud are they disturbing the non-existent regular patrons?
Outside of normal operating hours? Why not?
Libraries weren’t created to be quiet places. They were created to preserve and share knowledge.
And to steal it from others. Sure, Alexandra might have given you back a copy, but not the original.
If you have a book and I have a book we have two books
Yes. I want to start this library.
Books help keep track of science and share it efficiently but the only knowledge we have is the one we still have when showering.
I like to picture water proof books.
Hey! My first Book was one of those bath book for Babys…
I mean, temporarily loud. I think that would be OK.
During specific hours so everyone can plan accordingly? Yes. Absolutely we should do this.
It’s not about turning it into a place for discussion really. Part of it’s just being around other people. I’m willing to bet that there are studies out there that suggest that even being around other people in settings like this is healthy and has some benefits.