Quite possibly the worst way to perpetuate the stereotype of librarians as uptight, shrewish, bothersome, bluenose, harridans is to allow yourself to get your drawers in a wad over a doll...and be quoted in a news article about it.
But wait - I rather wish for the return of those stern shushing harridans. I've always been a great user of the local public library branch, and am keeping up the habit in my new town. (The county library branch was the only air-conditioned joint when I was a kid on the Gulf Coast; I can probably attribute my bookishness to the lure of creature comfort.)
My new local library has an appealing, vaguely Egyptian-sarcophagus architectural feel to it, and, as it's right around the corner from the keed's Tae Kwon Do class, I get an hour of peaceful reading in most every weekday afternoon, while the daughter is kicking ass and taking names. Right across the street is an undertaker, housed in what must be an old turn-of the-(19th)century house. It has a large standing clock in the front yard, whose poetical resonance I did not note until the keed remarked it. "Don't you think it's funny, Mom, that an undertaker has a clock right out front? 'Tick-tock, passerby, tick-tock!'" Right she is, of course, and the heretofore unnoticed clock is now a daily memento mori.
But I was speaking of death and the (old) maiden (librarian). Why do libraries no longer enforce quiet? Even in neighborhood branches there are still always serious people attempting serious work, or just seeking a chance to hear themselves think, outside the traffic and the (execrable) music piped in anywhere humans are likely to congregate. But people chatter away at normal volume throughout the building, oblivious to the old merciful rule of silence in the stacks. I was reading the other day and took note of some screeching giggling pre-teens running up and down the aisles, now disappearing, now re-appearing, always noisy. A loud adult voice called after them. They answered, and the conversation between them continued, in very loud (outside voice, children!) voices. I finally stepped out of the stacks to gently remonstrate, thinking that it was my duty as a dragon in training to show them the Way Things Should Be Done. Alas, the Loud Adult was one of the librarians, not at all averse, apparently, to the screeching, running, and giggling.
I went back to my business. I failed, I know. I should have knocked heads. Then maybe they'd make an action figure out of me.
Hey, Miss Moira, thanks for the link!
Fortunately, around here we're still backward enough to where libraries are still relatively quiet--my neighborhood library is one half kid stuff, but the lady at the desk runs a tight ship. She's a sweety, but by gum, you keep your lips zipped. The other library I frequent is the one across the park from where I work--it's the Linn-Henley Research Library, which used to be Birmingham's old main library until a slick new facility was built across the street. The old library still has that old library feel--oak bookcases and desks, marble floors, murals on the walls, and quiet. And, obviously, full of books that have that unmistakable old book smell. Heaven.
I have been to a couple of libraries over in the southern suburbs of town, and they do seem to be a bit more boisterous--but they tend to be populated by the high-tone, smart set and their kids. I guess they like the noise.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby on September 08, 2003
FWIW, I found you through Terry's site.
When I was a kid, the other kids played sports and went to movies and other normal stuff. I went to the library (about a four night a week habit by high school).
I still remember the day I discovered Bob Newhart's "The Button Down Mind Strikes Back" in the A/V section. I listened to it with the headphones on, but the librarian had to come over (twice!) to shush me because I was laughing out loud.
No, my social skills haven't improved much. :)
Posted by: LittleA on September 08, 2003
Perhaps it is the new librarian code of conduct, cause no fuss, and maybe the FBI will blunder into the Starbucks next door with their warrants :-)
Posted by: Suman Palit on September 10, 2003
Hi, I thought the hushing librarian was hilarious. Lighten up everybody.Getting so...upset about it shows how stuffy you really are. I still would like to purchase one for Christmas. Is it true? Is it marked up to $99.00? The paper said it was $8.95. Please e-mail me with price and where to purchase. I love it. I wish I would have though of it.
Kim Lawko, Emerson LRC
Posted by: Kim Lawko on December 10, 2003