[Publib] background music in libraries

[Shannon Stiller]

Good morning, Mark-

MP3 players are so prevalent these days that I don't understand why the library would feel the need to play music, or make everyone listen to the same music.  If a patron wants to hear music, then he/she can supply his/her own.  I, for one, would never return to a library that played music where I was trying to work or read (I am continually amazed with people who can read, do homework or even sleep while listening to music!).  

Is this library just playing music in the entryway/at the circ desk, or is it throughout the entire library?  Is it to "drown out" other noise?

Along the same lines, I have heard a number of complaints from non-librarian friends lately, who ask me why libraries do not have quiet areas anymore.  I am all for libraries as community centers, but I think that libraries should still provide quiet zones.  If music isn't of your own personal choosing, then many times it just turns into another form of noise.

Shannon M. Stiller 
Ripon Public Library




-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of George Hazelton
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 4:51 PM
To: Mark Arend; publib at webjunction.org; ARSL-L at LISTSERV.CLARION.EDU
Subject: RE: [Publib] background music in libraries


Well, if the radio is playing MY sort of music, well and good!  

I suspect that finding background music which would be universally
inoffensive would lead to "elevator music," music which has been watered
down to pablum.  And that might be a slight to that ancient and honorable
cereal.

Consider the "music" played by so many business to those unfortunates in the
limbo of waiting on hold.  Most of the choices make the ordeal even worse
for me.  I'd rather hear a periodic announcement that "we care about your
business" (even though I really doubt that software help desk personnel care
a fig for the customer) than detestable aural gruel droning on seemingly
forever.

A patron who detested the background music might well never return, or they
might "go postal" or rather, "go library."  Imagine their legal defense:
driven batty by the Beatles, crazed by country and western, dementia via
Dvorak...the mind reels.

Is this only a concern for small libraries?  Are there medium to large
libraries playing background music?

Just my 2.5 cents worth.  Gotta adjust for the fall of the dollar.

George Hazelton
Assistant Director
Henry County Library System
1001 Florence McGarity Pkwy
McDonough, GA  30252
Phone:  770-954-2806
FAX:    770-954-2808
email:    ghazelton at mail.henry.public.lib.ga.us

 

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Mark Arend
Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 5:13 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org; ARSL-L at LISTSERV.CLARION.EDU
Subject: [Publib] background music in libraries


One of our smaller libraries has a radio playing background music in the
library.  Generally it's been well-received but some people don't care for
it.  The director would appreciate comments--pro & con--of other small
libraries that have tried this.




-------------------------------

Mark W. Arend, Assistant Director
Winnefox Library System
106 Washington Ave.
Oshkosh, WI  54901
(920) 236-5222           fax: (920) 236-5228

mailto:arend at winnefox.org                 http://www.winnefox.org/


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