[Publib] RE: silence in the library

[Christopher F. Bowen]

 I know that some people, both library staff and patrons, long for the
old days of silent libraries, but those days seem to be long gone in the
public library. With heavy use of computers and printers, copiers,
electric pencil sharpeners, and all the other machines there is constant
background noise in our library. Add to that the ringing phones at the
service desks and staff interviews of patrons to understand their
reference questions. Plus, we are serious about reader's advisory
service here, so staff are literally talking with patrons about their
reading interests, in order to make recommendations. Browsing through
CD's and DVD's in plastic security cases adds more clatter to
environment. As a busy public library we are anything but quite. I like
the energy of the place, and most patrons seem to appreciate the social
aspects of a visit to the library and have no problem with the noise
around them. I confess that we do have some patrons who head right to
the quiet study and reading rooms. Those patrons even complain about the
clicking laptop keyboards or someone rustling the pages of a newspaper
too loudly. It is important to provide options for those who need quiet,
but most of the library is pretty lively place. And don't forget the
damn cell phones! 

Christopher F. Bowen
Library Director
Downers Grove Public Library