Quiet in the Library

Nancy Pearl, America’s Librarian, has an action figure. When you push a button, her arm, with an extended finger, comes to her mouth in a ‘shushing’ motion.

I suspect that Nancy wishes her action figure did something else. Shushing is old school for librarians. Librarians today promote activity that make libraries noisier places than they once were. I’m not suggesting that librarians promote bad behavior; rather they promote using and enjoying libraries in a different way.

“These days, however, libraries are more like bustling community centers, where being at least somewhat noisy is the new normal, especially when kids are involved.” That is from an essay in the Washington Post Book World by Karen MacPherson.

I do tend to be a little old school on this. There is a part of me that misses old libraries with their high shelves and dark quiet spots. I liked the feeling of being tucked away; hidden from the world.

But, I wholeheartedly, support library activities that bring people, especially children, into contact with books. This is kind of a core idea of Two Sides to the Story. Lory and I come at some things differently, but I’m pretty sure we are together on this; kids in libraries is a good thing. If making that happen means that libraries aren’t as quiet as they once were, then so be it.

How about you? Do you like the new lower shelves, lighter, higher energy libraries, or do you long for dark and quiet? Let us know at twosides2thestory@yahoo.com