Are libraries still quiet spaces?

[amy cheatle]

I'm wondering what you all think about the atmosphere of community libraries....I remember the library I visited as a child to be nearly silent-and the librarians sternly "shushing" me. today, my suburban library is a happening place, with people of all ages enjoying it in a number of ways. I personally like it a bit rowdy, and turn a deaf ear to the energy in the place, but I know others disagree...

Its also interesting that the local coffee shop across the street often has library patrons enjoying their materials in the quiet of the cafe, while the library itself has become an epicenter of a small community.

I don't know, I was thinking about it, so thought I'd ask the experts! How do you navigate this issue in your libraries?

[Deborah Fitchett]

I'm in an academic library but issues are similar. A lot of study nowadays is group work so we need space where students can get together. At the same time we also need space where people can study quietly. In my branch, we've got three floors so the bottom one is the general entrance/service/casual area; level 2 is for group study; and level 3 is for quiet study. It works well for us.

[Bob Kosovsky]

Some people mention that the library has become the third place. My library has a fairly inflexible design, but we are even planning an area that will be just a room where people can gather and talk with one another. As it is, many people do gather just as they do in Starbucks.

What we'd really love is some kind of semi-cafeteria (vending machines) where people and meet, talk, and in general gather together.

[Andreaf]

I really think it depends on the community and library design. I work as a substitute library assistant in a large and diverse county. I was working in the back of library a few weeks ago and I thought they were having a party. I had to go out front to see what was going on. It was just the community. No one was particularly loud, but everyone together created a high-energy environment and the design of the library didn’t help. At other libraries in the same county that I go to you can hear a pin drop, and that is just how the community likes it. I think the community determines atmosphere of the library, and we as library staff act as monitors.