Library Question: Why is the Duncan Public Library so NOISY?!
This is a question I hear at the front desk a LOT. "Why is it so noisy?!" or comments about how "Libraries should be QUIET!"
And we get it. It can be pretty loud in here. They've even scheduled kids rock concerts and opera performances in the open space of the library. But there's a few reasons our library isn't so quiet.
1) Libraries just aren't that quiet anymore!
We understand that people use libraries to study and test and dozens of other things that require the quiet. But it's just true: libraries aren't that quiet anymore. Instead of strictly study and quiet reading, we hold after school programs, concerts, music exploration, dance classes, story times, and SO MUCH MORE at our library. None of that is quiet. All of that is needed in our community. And reading and learning just isn't a quiet activity! We've got children and parents reading to each other, book discussions, books that are just too funny to not laugh at, kids asking teachers questions, etc.
2) Our building isn't built for the quiet.
We've got a very nice building, but it wasn't built to be a library building. This building used to be an insurance company. Libraries are often built to try and muffle noise. Ours seems to bounce it everywhere! From the circulation desk, you can hear all the way into the upstairs kitchen at the back of the building. And that means that you can usually hear the circulation desk everywhere else in the building. Sometimes, staff need to raise their voices to be heard by a hard of hearing patron. (And admittedly, sometimes, we forget how much our voices carry!) The sky light and our floor to ceiling windows don't help. It's raining as I write this, and the raindrops are making a ROAR against the sky light.
What is the library doing about the noise?
We DO know that it can be way to noisy in here, and that this something we should be working on. The library has been very lucky to receive grants in the last couple of years that we've used in various spaces to add sound dampening panels. (Not as many as we'd like, but we're working on it!)
Staff is also making an effort to recognize when we're the problem. Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes, the mistake is forgetting how loud we're talking at the front desk.
We're also encouraging all patrons to use the appropriate areas for phones and to use headphones when at the computers or when using their phones for audio.
What can I do to about the library being noisy sometimes?
Noise canceling headphones. This option gives you the greatest flexibility for seating, even if the area you are sitting in might be a bit louder.
Ask to reserve a study room. Study rooms are typically quieter than the main building, and they are great if you are doing something that may be a little noisy.
Ask about our Quiet Booth. Next to our public computers, we have a quiet booth that's great for phone calls and Zoom calls! This booth does not have it's own computer, so you will need to provide your own device if required.
Talk to us about when to visit the library. I know you can't always choose when you are free to visit the library, but staff (and the calendar) can definitely let you know what days we expect to be busier and loud.
Do you have any Library Questions? Send us a message!
