This is really only an issue for people who are lack assertiveness, are afraid of confrontation and need rules and regulations to hide behind. Of course my users agree with me because I create a relaxed atmosphere where people feel comfortable to work, where they can take their coffee and sandwiches in (or a three course meal if they really want to) but where if someone is obviously disturbing other people I am not afraid to go up to them and tell them. I don't need to have a rule about mobile phones, playing the trumpet (I have actually had that in the library), singing (actually I have done that) or whatever. The odd discreet phone call really is not a problem (do you refuse to answer the land line because it will disturb the users?)

Incidentally, don't get me going on the term 'users' - it sounds like some strange fetish activity.

Regards to all in grumpy old man mode

Mark Bryant
Outreach Librarian
Oxfordshire Learning Disability NHS Trust (Ridgeway Partnership)
Dermot Rowe Library
Slade House
Horspath Driftway
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7JH

Tel: 01865 228068
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: www.ridgeway.nhs.uk

Librarians are the secret masters of the universe


-----Original Message-----
From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Shaw, Emma L
Sent: 15 June 2011 12:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Library as telephone booth

Hi Roger, All,

This is an interesting subject and was discussed at the last LHL Library Managers' Study Day last year, talking about what Libraries will be like in the future, and was briefly discussed in the afternoon talks. You can still see the presentations on the website http://www.londonlinks.nhs.uk/2010-events/london-health-libraries-network-event/?searchterm=None&month=9&year=2010.

I think it really depends on what type of library you are and who you are catering for. We serve a wide range of NHS staff and Medical students. We are very lucky in that we have space to make zoned areas for a place for quiet study, training rooms, a place where people can talk, and then a place where people can talk on their mobiles. The quiet study area is very popular, by NHS staff as well as medical students and even some students from other campuses who need to get away from the hustle and bustle where there is no quiet space, or if there is, it's full to bursting. Before we had divided the library up, we often got complaints about noise, so creating this area has been a huge positive, especially for NHS staff where there is no other space for quiet study. So from our point of view the need for quiet space is definitely not dying out. If you can cater for all needs then that is a good way of dealing with it.

Obviously, this is not easy to do for all Libraries if space/funds are limited, in which case I don't see why it is unreasonable to expect to have it as a quiet space as naturally a lot of people still want to study in the place where the information resources are, and particularly if there is no other place to go to get a bit of peace and quiet. I think that users need to understand/appreciate that people need quiet space too. Unfortunately, some don't understand this concept and you have to teach them, my colleague once had to ask a new user who had their ipod on, and was unfamiliar with using a library, to stop singing loudly as it was disturbing people (as well being painfully out of tune!). Thankfully most of our users are very considerate and use the zones or go out of the library to use their phones, however sometimes we have to ask people, who usually listen. For the very rare occasion when we have had to deal with more difficult users, I often dream for a situation when they have an important exam to revise for, or had a difficult day on the ward and need a quiet space to read, and I'll sit next to them and have a loud conversation on my mobile.

So for us having a quiet space has been a real selling point. Sorry for the essay!

Best wishes,

Emma

Emma Shaw
Liaison Librarian (Medicine)
Imperial College London
Medical Library
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital (LG Floor, Lift bank B)
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
Tel: 020 3315 8109
E-mail: [log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Roger Farbey
Sent: 15 June 2011 10:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Library as telephone booth

Probably my (albeit subconscious) original motivtion in this post was exploring what exactly libraries in the 21st century are for. This applies across the board not just to medical and academic libraries but public ones too. There are few places left where anyone can find peace and quiet in order to think and / or study outside perhaps a monastery.  Phones in libraries...the thin end of the wedge? Why not ghetto blasters too? This isn't meant to sound reactionary, but surely libraries if they are going to exist in 100 years time must remain the last bastion of tranquility. A space where contemplation and thought are possible without the distraction of music, conversation, traffic...There are few places left where this is possible. I wonder if libraries are simply to become another area for multimedia and social interaction, then maybe they aren't libraries any more. Interestingly, entering the very 21st century British Library reading room, festooned with laptops everywhere, the thing that hits you, almost physically, is the silence. A very rare thing. Libraries (and this goes for CILIP too if anyone is reading this from there) urgently need to sort out their USP now. Before it's too late.

The Trust is one of the leading providers in the UK of specialist health and social care support services for people with learning disabilities.

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