General Chat

Oh Malcolm.... I prefer " Haud Yer Wheesht"

Our libary here in Spain has a creche area conveniently placed under a concrete staircase which reflects the screams out into the main building.

Spain is generally a noisy country so one eventually gets used to it, but I always keep a single useful phrase handy which you might like to learn:

"Oi! Shut the Feck up!" :-D

Yes Ann,
One of the reasons that we are trying to make it accessible to everyone is to prevent closures or volunteers taking over!
Librarians nowadays have a very different role than in the past.

As library assistants, we use our own knowledge or, like everyone else... we refer to the net
www.fantasticfiction.co.uk
This site helps to answer loads of enquiries re fiction books and authors.
It is especially good for finding titles which form part of a series or even other pen names used by the same author

That sounds a great library Anne, I guess you are not in Gloucestershire where they shut some libraries and some have gone over to being run by volunteers who, although doing a worthwhile job are not going to have the expertese of librarians. But I like the sound of the craft groups etc.

Many years ago you were petrified to even talk in my local library. Once I sneeezed loudly and was met with a chorus of ssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I am pleased to say its a much happier place now very relaxed and welcoming to both children and adults.

I fully agree with you Janet and again it is about striking the correct balance.
In one of our larger branches there is a definite issue with older school children and "Study Leave", when their exams are approaching.
As there are reference books and Wi Fi available, they do tend to come in in large peer groups which does indeed become a nuisance.
They accept that they cannot use their phones for conversation or bring hot take away meals and drinks into the library.
The problem then becomes their.... constant movement.
They are always moving in and out the library, ( in groups) answering calls, toilet and food breaks ect... We had had a number of complaints from other members of the public who use the resources for genuine quiet study time.

It is really a hard one to call, but we are addressing the problem.

Must admit when I go to the reference library I don't want to listen to someone chatting away as I find it distracting. If a mobile goes the staff are pretty much on the ball at asking people to switch it off. I have been known to walk out when noise becomes a nuisance. I guess it is down to choice. One persons choice to make too much noise and my choice to walk out. -jl

Your library sounds like ours, Anne. We often notice children attending special events but these are usually advertised in advance in the library so if you want you can avoid them but they have never distrubed us. Ours has a separate room for exhibitions and meetings.

The only thing that annoys us about it is that the disabled parking spaces are on the opposite side of the entrance road from the door and most disabled people park in the spaces actually outside the door, meaning we sometimes have nowhere to park!

Your library sounds great Anne, a good balance for everyone's needs. If it's used for for various events then those who use it for one event then may then use it for another, so it gets used, that's what's needed and it's good for the ages to mix :-D

I work in the library. NOT an automated one but busy lively ones!

We have many children visiting on a daily basis and have lots of organised activities, especially during the daytime.
Song Time can be especially noisy.
It is hard to get the right balance , especially for those who come in to study in a quiet environment, but we do need to encourage children to use the wide range of facilities too.
The craft sessions for kids has always been well attended and we have just started up some new groups.. exclusively for adults.
Knit and natter, card making and crafting.
Our older borrowers are loving this as it means a wee day out, with tea, coffee and cake included.
The young mums are learning from the older ones... good fun!

However, if we have no organised events... I/we do still ask people (kids) to SSSSHHH if Ithey are too loud.

Anne

Far too loud you woke me up :-D

By the way, is it hot there, if so, send a cab to fetch me :-)

Oh sorry Lynda - were we talking too loud? Please look after your vocal chords. Shushing can cause much damage :-D

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......



:-D

Elizabeth - I am well thank you as I hope you are.

One of our local libraries was located in a large shopping centre. Very handy for elderly people like my mother who could borrow and return books while shopping. Now it has been relocated about a mile down the road from the centre. A beautiful new library with a very nice reading corner and a colourful area for children. However it is impossible for my mother to get to as she doesn't drive. Even older children would find it difficult to get there so not much good unless they have a parent willing to drive them. It isn't even near a residential area.

Dear SueMaid

Hello

Hope you are okay.


Oh yes, our library which has many facilities for other things has also cut down the opening hours and is closed on a Friday when the kids want to check out things for homework.

Really unhelpful.

The dedicated childrens librarian had her staff hours cut.

I think the council is just trying to close the library by stealth.

Take gentle care of yourself, Sue
Very best wishes
Elizabeth
xx

Mobile phones in the library annoy me too Elizabeth. We also have self checkout machines but we still have our librarians. Perhaps their hours are shortened but none of them have gone missing - yet.

Dear All

Hello

Hope you are okay.

What's also annoying is the increase of people using mobile phones in the library.

Is there no where they are not used?

The counter desk has been removed and half the staff were made redundant.

These were the librarians who passed exams and could help with lots of questions and direct you to information.

Now, we all have to check our books out using a machine that often says
"barcode not recognised"!

Absolutely nuts.

Take gentle care
Best wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

Perhaps they want to be rid of the SSSSSSSSSSsssssshhhhhhhhh image to make the librarys more inviting so they wont be closed down....

BUT I am optting for the elf and safety voice box theory :-D

I suppose most libraries are just lending libraries and not reading libraries so they are treated the same as any other retail outlet

my sis in law worked int he local uni library and she often told people to shush, if they were ont he top floor, apparently there is 2 floors, one for personal study, were you have to be quiet at all times,
and ones for groups to chat n work togther x