2019-11-22 SPLAT Curiosity Report: Volume 4, Issue 6
Featured Story
The Not – So – Quiet Library
When I was a kid and we went to the library, there was always a mean old lady standing behind the counter scowling at us as she put her finger to her lips to shush us. Mind you, we were being very quiet. All I remember of my library years growing up was that we had to be very VERY quiet or bad, horrible things would happen. What those were, we never knew. Perhaps a scary monster would jump out of a book and eat us?? It was in our best interest to heed the warnings of the stereotypical librarian that watched us so closely as we searched for books.
Time went by and I slowly noticed that libraries were becoming less quiet. It was perplexing to me because I always had that image in my head from my younger years. What was going on?
Libraries just aren’t as quiet as they used to be.
Families with young children are coming into the library for storytime and other activities, checking out multitudes of books, and even meeting other families and making new friends. Bringing children into the library helps to encourage a love of reading and learning, which is a really wonderful thing. It’s much better than the alternative of being left out or getting into trouble. But, it tends to get a little louder. Yikes!
There are two thoughts to the not-so-quiet library.
- ALL libraries should ALWAYS be quiet spaces.
- It’s better to have a little bit of noise to accommodate a love of learning than not.
Some believe that all libraries should always be quiet. It’s a place for people to come and read, a place to escape noise, a place to learn. There should be nothing above a whisper. Ever.
Then there is the belief that it’s important to instill upon children a love of reading and learning as soon as possible, and if that means a little bit of noise, then it’s okay. Don’t discourage a love of learning.
I’m definitely not saying that we should just let libraries be like daycare. I’m a little of both camps. Libraries should be a quiet safe place for everyone, but we should also be allowing a love of learning and if that means a couple of noisy activities, that’s ok.
A space for kids to explore their love of reading and learning is ideal because it’s a place for kids to be a little bit excited, because we all know that excited kids tend to get noisy, without taking away from the library’s quiet atmosphere. Not all libraries can offer a physical space inside the library, but even having events outside or a special time for special noisy events can offer more for the community. For everyone.
I’m really happy to see that more libraries are transitioning to that school of thought. Children can be excited to visit their library and learn something new while at the same time catering to the needs of the more quiet patrons of the community. There’s something for everyone. Activities for children, lifelong learning, books for everyone. All ages are welcome and encouraged!
Now academic libraries the really REALLY quiet ones perhaps they really do have a library dragon lurking in the shadows of the stacks ready to eat a noisy patron.
– Vanessa Thiele, East Bonner County Library District
Fail Forward
We’ve all been there. You pour your heart into a program, and no one shows up. You try something new, and you fall on your face. Sound familiar? Fail Forward is the place to share your failures, and give you the opportunity to share what you learned from them. Did you promote your program in a different way after no one showed up? Maybe you took a new approach to the new thing you were excited about? Awesome! Share your story via our online form so others can learn, and realize that failure is often part of the process.
Grace
I just shouted Did you find the book? at the wrong patron. I got food all over myself at the last conference I went to (why would I choose to wear white?). I keep forgetting the same person’s name, despite having met them at least 4 times. That email I just sent had a typo. I could go on and on about all my small, every day failures. It really does seem like I do something every day that makes me cringe later. But I’m trying to have more grace for myself, to remember that other people probably don’t notice these things, or care too much if they do. I’m trying to remember that every day is a fresh start to do better, not buy white clothing (why does it even exist?), and learn from these mistakes.
– Jessica Martinez, University of Idaho Library
Crush Corner
Is there a library you follow on social media who is always doing new and exciting things? How about a blog you follow that inspires you? What about a new idea, book, or resource that you want to share? Library Crush Corner is a place for those working in Idaho libraries to share what inspires them, and who or what they’re crushing on… in a professional sense. Share your story via our online form so we can publish it in a future issue!
Boise Comic Arts Festival
I’m total crushing on the Boise Comics Arts Festival. Every year the Boise Public Library creates a family friendly event focused on comics, art and fans. There is something for everyone to enjoy. Every year it gets better! This year over 7000 people attended over two days! It is amazing that the Boise Library has created such a vibrant ongoing event! Next August, be sure to check it out if you can!
– Mike Sloan, Nampa Public Library
SPLAT explores the ever-evolving library world and supports library folks as they adapt to meet the needs of their communities. Library folk throughout the state of Idaho volunteer to serve on the Special Projects Library Action Team (SPLAT). Learn more about SPLAT at splat.lili.org
SPLAT is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (LS-00-19-0013-19). The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.