I remember the days when you would go to the library and it would be silent. Some would even have great big notices hanging from the ceilings saying SILENCE.
No-one spoke, or if they did it was to the librarian and in hushed, if not embarrassed, tones.
I was a school librarian, and the corridor outside as well as the library itself were deemed to be entered in silence.
I spent a lot of my time in the library, mainly because I had few friends at grammar school, and preferred to be arranging the books in an interesting display on my section which was actually the one you always saw through the glass partition.
It was quiet and peaceful, I could work at my own pace without interference, ridicule or scorn.
In libraries, there is now the constant hum of PC monitors and whirr of printers. People speak on their mobiles, all be it quietly, but it’s no the silent place I remember from all those years ago.
Written for Fandango’s One Word Challenge
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About pensitivity101
I am a retired number cruncher with a vivid imagination and wacky sense of humour which extends to short stories and poetry. I love to cook and am a bit of a dog whisperer as I get on better with them than people sometimes!
In November 2020, we lost our beloved Maggie who adopted us as a 7 week old pup in March 2005. We decided to have a photo put on canvas as we had for her predecessor Barney. We now have three pictures of our fur babies on the wall as we found a snapshot of Kizzy, my GSD when Hubby and I first met so had hers done too.
On February 24th 2022 we were blessed to find Maya, a 13 week old GSD pup who has made her own place in our hearts. You can follow our training methods, photos and her growth in my blog posts.
From 2014 to 2017 'Home' was a 41 foot narrow boat where we made strong friendships both on and off the water. We were close to nature enjoying swan and duck families for neighbours, and it was a fascinating chapter in our lives.
We now reside in a small bungalow on the Lincolnshire coast where we have forged new friendships and interests.
pensitivity101 
Library environment is always a bit intimidating and silence is so strictly enforced that people usually feel embarrassed even when asking a legitimate question!
That wonderful – respectful – experience lost.The whole idea of a building holding information and knowledge – and it was all there for you to explore – now that – the excitement and thrill – was something kids all need to feel early in life. Such a privilege to struggle up those steps, push the door open – and the world was there waiting for you.
The tech invasion is society marching along, but I prefer it when the computers – and coffee bars are distanced from the shelves of print. I know they are trying to make libraries relevant, but to discard something that is impressive – that’s tossing the baby out with the bathwater. Both needed – and can coexist. ( For years I visited libraries across the country for publishers – retest job ever – to sit and talk books. But I remember the fears of library systems who were worried they would become unnecessary.)