Seattlest: Good Librarian, Bad Librarian

James Callan

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 14:05:45 -0800

I don't think we were church-at-midnight quiet. I think at the time we where shushed we were using regular, conversational voices, which had previously been the norm at every Seattle branch library we attended. I think church-at-midnight quiet is inappropriate for a public library (but necessary for a research or academic library). So is yelling-across-the-room noisy, for that matter. And, frankly, I think little kids get more latitude than grownups. My daughter is excited to be at the library, and despite our best efforts, occasionally wants to yell and run. We shush her ourselves, and carry her outside for a minute if she won't quiet down. All that said, I don't really have a beef with the librarian who shushed us. She was nice about it, and my embarrassment is my own problem. But I think the library itself is enforcing too low a volume, if our conversation was considered too loud. And I hereby resolve never again to urinate on the bathroom floor. That definitely is being a jerk.

guest

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:28:36 -0800

If you were told to be quiet what makes you think your volume was at "church-at-midnight levels of quiet"? I was just reading an article about library patrons who "fight, urinate on the bathroom floor, scrawl graffiti on the walls, talk back to librarians or refuse to leave when asked." You might ask what is up with those uptight squares, but perhaps you should examine your own behavior--even if it is only related to noise. You might actually be behaving like a jerk.

Robin

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:18:17 -0800

And by the way, are you signed up for the Adult Summer Reading Program? Free $5 Starbucks Card if you read three books....

Robin

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:15:49 -0800

I am guessing that another patron complaining led to the "library voices" comment. Always a tough line to straddle to keep the complainers feeling like you are addressing noise issues that are bothering them and not being a shusher. If you read the rest of the Rules of Conduct you get an idea of what librarians and library workers get to deal with all day, I am surprised she had the time or energy to shush a normal noisy kid. If you ever want to let SPL know that a library staff member was especially helpful or especially unhelpful, you can always use their online feedback form: http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=about_contact_feedback

guest

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 16:03:22 -0800

Huge ups for the BTVS reference!

guest

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:43:13 -0800

I fight a constant battle in my library (in Centralia, WA) to make sure that some of the more traditional (and I use that word in the bad sense) librarians and library workers don't scare our large and boisterous population of teens and kids with unreasonable demands about noise. I find it's often a double standard - if two grown ups are talking loudly, it's more likely to be thought of as okay than if a child (with or without a parent) or a teen does it. I'm sorry you got unecessarily shushed! Also, as a librarian, thanks for taking your child out on those occasions when she's not able to quiet down within a reasonable time frame. We appreciate that :)