Hello,
Thankyou for responses to my query on effective ways of dealing with
porblems of excessive noise.
The suggestions were:
Rearrange the libary i.e. locating noisy activities near a service point
where they can be monitored more closely;
Zone the library and make sure the zones are clearly identified e.g.
Absolutely Quiet Study Area, Groupwork Area etc.
Screen off noisy sections of the library;
Ensure that there is support within the wider organisation - some
respondents felt that it is vital to have the backing of the Senior
Management Team. (This has helped with the problem of mobile
phones in my own institution; an official policy has now been drawn
up on the use of mobile phones).
Make sure all library staff acknowledge the problem and are offered
an appropriate staff development programme to enable them to deal
with difficult and noisy users. Also make sure that there is a proper
procedure to follow when dealing with noise problems.
Create a charter or code of conduct which states how users are
expected to behave in the library.
Appoint special staff to patrol and deal with any unacceptable
behaviour or alternatively add noise patrol to the timetable of daily
routine duties to be carried out by library staff. One institution has
introduced patrol duty at peak times during the day and this has made a
considerable difference in terms of reducing noise levels.
Thanks for the advice - now to put the theory into practice!
Angela Walsh
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