tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589678736004297790.post4962961975936427171..comments2023-10-27T15:05:50.775-04:00Comments on ArchivesInfo: Rebranding the Community Library: "Shhh is a Four Letter Word"archivesinfohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11173735671172866919noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589678736004297790.post-64594210922299808502012-05-08T21:50:11.180-04:002012-05-08T21:50:11.180-04:00I am an extrovert and a librarian who works in the...I am an extrovert and a librarian who works in the loudest academic library I have EVER been in, and you know what? I HATE NOISY LIBRARIES! When I was getting my PhD I struggled to find library spaces that were quiet enough, and resented how (even in the 1990s) undergraduate Just. Didn't. Get. It.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. I am definitely an extrovert, I love conversations, I especially love scholarly conversations, and was certainly guilty of carrying out such conversations in library spaces especially early in my graduate career (ahem). BUT: there's a time and place for them, and that place is... a coffee shop! a nice bench outside! I need the quiet space to clear my head and help me concentrate. Even extroverts (or, at least, some of us) need quiet space for thinking and imagining and creating. I also believe that students need to be able to teach themselves how to concentrate, and that being able to find a quiet space to help quiet one's mind (and, these days, devices) is a valuable thing. <br /><br />Really, for me it's a matter of designated space: the library should be the quiet space; other places are for talking. Too much quiet just means needing to find the conversational space; too much noise means needing to find the quiet. <br /><br />(Also, Melissa, I totally owe you an email. It's been a pretty crazy few weeks. Sorry about that).jillian6475http://twitter.com/#/jillian6475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589678736004297790.post-78061808032140388252012-05-03T21:51:56.067-04:002012-05-03T21:51:56.067-04:00I'm so glad the video piqued your interest, Me...I'm so glad the video piqued your interest, Melissa. <br /><br />I was thrilled to see how engaged these kids were with their library space and each other, but I absolutely agree that there is something to be said for quiet spaces and room to think. Without seeing the building in person, my guess would be that although the video focused on the innovative changes (and spaces and activities), there are probably a number of more traditional nooks and crannies as well. <br /><br />My local library is a treasure. It's a place where I spent a LOT of time as a child and a young adult. Though I've been long absent from the quiet spaces within its ivy-encased walls, I am now enjoying a return to these halls and corners with my daughter. She has suddenly fallen in love with this place, despite its atmosphere being a stark counterpoint to her usually boisterous personality. <br /><br />Libraries face tough times these days. You know that better than I. Perhaps there is a middle ground that can be reached - some way to embrace both the dynamic and the reflective. Maybe they could set up a sort of time share between the two types of activities - making room for both the quiet kids and the more physical ones. <br /><br />It will be interesting to see how they make out with their new programs. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing!Suddenly Jamiehttp://www.suddenlymarketing.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3589678736004297790.post-14552025078662522892012-05-03T20:05:46.553-04:002012-05-03T20:05:46.553-04:00Oh, Melissa, you always make me think beyond my in...Oh, Melissa, you always make me think beyond my initial knee-jerk reaction! I do love the idea of libraries being more open to conversation and centers of community. But I too have found the quiet of libraries to be restorative. I think a number of libraries are doing a good job of offering a nice mix of community and conversation along with solitude and self-directed exploration. As for the name change, I just think guide is way too generic. You can be trained to be a guide in a day. It takes a lot longer to be a librarian. And a good librarian is absolutely invaluable -- even in the age of google.Erica Holthausenhttp://www.honestmarketingrevolution.comnoreply@blogger.com