Library etiquette is extremely simple, yet more and more people seem to have forgotten the number one rule of libraries. You are not supposed to talk. Ever. People go to the library to read and study in silence. That’s the reason they exist. Those who talk while in the library, even if it is under the guise of studying, should realize those around them are trying to focus on their own studies not their neighbors’.
Two people talking ruin the silence for all library patrons, even if they are whispering. It is extremely self-centered and rude. The average person while studying does not want to get in a confrontation with others, so most people do not say anything to the noise violators. Often the noise made by two people carries across a silent library, and the entire library must listen to the conservation as two people babble on as they are too self absorbed to realize everyone can hear their conversation.
Lately, it seems that people of all ages have forgotten this library golden rule, and culprits range from senior citizens to parents. Teenagers, in the fact that they are only being teenagers, may be excused from this lecture. However, if you have white hair, you should know better. Also, if a parent is with a child, the parent should teach the child to be considerate of others by staying silent or keep them in the children section.
There are alternatives if people want to study together. Most libraries have rooms with closing doors that people may use for group study. For the more boisterous, many coffee shops offer free wi-fi with no sound rules as long as the patrons purchase food.
So next time you are at the library and feel the urge to talk, please be considerate of those around you, because if you don’t, someone may get annoyed enough to write a blog post about you. Now, back to my reading...
Two people talking ruin the silence for all library patrons, even if they are whispering. It is extremely self-centered and rude. The average person while studying does not want to get in a confrontation with others, so most people do not say anything to the noise violators. Often the noise made by two people carries across a silent library, and the entire library must listen to the conservation as two people babble on as they are too self absorbed to realize everyone can hear their conversation.
Lately, it seems that people of all ages have forgotten this library golden rule, and culprits range from senior citizens to parents. Teenagers, in the fact that they are only being teenagers, may be excused from this lecture. However, if you have white hair, you should know better. Also, if a parent is with a child, the parent should teach the child to be considerate of others by staying silent or keep them in the children section.
There are alternatives if people want to study together. Most libraries have rooms with closing doors that people may use for group study. For the more boisterous, many coffee shops offer free wi-fi with no sound rules as long as the patrons purchase food.
So next time you are at the library and feel the urge to talk, please be considerate of those around you, because if you don’t, someone may get annoyed enough to write a blog post about you. Now, back to my reading...
