[Publib] background music in libraries

Tue Mar 18 13:08:35 EDT 2008

I think the idea of background music in a library is absolutely horrible. 
First, I am one of those ogres who think libraries should be quiet 
places. Second, one person's pleasant music is another person's Hell. 
Finally (as someone else posted) if a patron wants music, they can get an 
mp3 player.

Kevin O'Kelly
Reference and Cataloging Librarian
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617)-623-5000

-----Original Message-----
From: "Shannon Stiller" <Stiller at Riponlibrary.org>
To: "George Hazelton" <ghazelton at mail.henry.public.lib.ga.us>, "Mark 
Arend" <Arend at winnefox.org>, <publib at webjunction.org>, <ARSL-
L at LISTSERV.CLARION.EDU>
Cc: 
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:07:24 -0500
Subject: RE: [Publib] background music in libraries

> 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/
> 
> 
> Recently read:
>    Larry Niven:   Fleet of worlds
>    Jules Verne:   Journey to the Center of the Earth   (audio)
>    William Alexander:    The $64 tomato
>    J.K. Rowling:  Harry Potter & the deathly hallows   (audio)
>    Jim Butcher:   Dead beat
>    Mort Zachter:   Dough--a memoir
> 
> 
> 
> "A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of
> acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy."
>                          -- James Madison
> 
> 
>   
> 
> 
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