[Publib] background music in libraries

[Diane Bowden]

We play smooth and classic jazz CDs (mostly instrumental, but some vocal) at the information desk. It is not very loud and customers can go to computers close to it or further away. We've played music for over two years now with only three complaints and many, many compliments. Often people ask about the artist or CD so they can buy or download it for themselves. At Christmas we play holiday jazz and always get children asking about Charlie Brown's Christmas music by Vince Guaraldi.
 
The music seems to keep customer interactions quieter and keep ambient noise down in the library. People who have their headphones on are not bothered by the music. All together it has created positive customer interactions and created a pleasant atmosphere.
 
Diane Bowden
Adult Services Librarian
County of Henrico Public Library
Richmond VA
dbowden at henrico.lib.va.us
 
-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto: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.




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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 <mailto:arend at winnefox.org>                  http://www.winnefox.org/ <https://mail.henrico.lib.va.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.winnefox.org/>