I Went Into The Library Today

[tamaris]

To read my paper for a shopping rest. I used to remember it being a quiet place. There was a lot of people chatting loudly. Including several retirees talking about coming in from the weather to shelter until their bus arrived
I gave up in the end as it was too noisy. I sound like an old fuddy duddy I know . I'm not really I just notice these changes

[Rosie29]

Yes it does come as a surprise Tamaris doesn't it? Gone are the days when you could hear a pin drop - and if you did drop a pin you were shushed . My library strikes a happy medium and it's not very chatty and noisy at all.

[Old_Geezer]

Not been to one for ages, but if it is noisy then the librarians are not doing their job properly. Complain. Ask for signs to be put up. Insist they ask offenders to lower their voice.

[tamaris]

Apparently they don't ask for quiet any
more

[david small]

Everything has somewhat lost the innate sense of common curtesy and respect for others.

[tamaris]

That is it exactly David Small

[Mamyalynne]

David, you have just made me smile, oh the irony - after you have been so respectful and courteous to Caran in Media & TV.

Tamaris, yes Libraires have changed a lot as more people have access at home I think many are just glad to be open at all and make them fit the needs of most users.

[vulcan42]

In my local library, which has just had an enormously expensive face lift, it's the librarians that make the most noise.

[piggynose]

In Spain, the library is sadly not a place of silence. Whereas the Culture Centre is, the only noise comes from felt tip pen tops.

[Maydup]

I actually find a corner table in Greggs to be more relaxing that the library is now! Its good that its being used, mostly themed activities and community participation and the like, but its not a place for a quiet read anymore.

[hereIam]

Great comment at 15:39.

[Old_Geezer]

If they don't ask for quiet any more then they should be let go, and interviews held to hire proper trained librarians.

[Lie-in King]

Ook.

[Mexican18]

The last time I went into the library it was full of children singing something about a bus!
Shouldn't be allowed.

[Patsy33]

It seems very difficult to find a bit of piece and quiet these days! It's a rare luxury.

[roopower]

Our local library is run by volunteers. They work very hard to involve the community it on a use it or lose it basis. I belong to a Knit and natter group, there is a playgroup, people using computers, reading the paper, borrowing books and jigsaws. It is not quiet but we need the library to stay open simple as that

[TonyV]

Our local village library now doubles up as almost a community centre, last couple of times I've been in, one time there was a knitting group, the next time OAP's were having a games morning. It's just a way of using the resource and prevent closure, It's predominately manned by volunteers with just one paid employee, so I don't really have a problem with the chattering.

[tamaris]

O G new policy by all accounts. I think they are too frightened these days to offend anyone. Doesn't matter if they offend the people that want quiet like it always was.

[Mamyalynne]

You are right they are frightened - not of causing offence but by turning many away and facing closure, our local libraries have mainly gone and only the Town Centre main one remains, beautiful though it is with enough space for everyone whatever they want, it isn't easy for all to reach.

[tamaris]

We have a brand new library where I live. It does well. I'm on holiday at present. I was in Salisbury today. It was busy.

[douglas9401]

Our library was closed, sold and is now a private nursery.

The council pretends that a couple of public access computers and a handful of books is an adequate replacement but then that's what local government does.