Library Etiquette

Although many of us have been going to the library since we've been old enough to crawl, it has come to my attention on the perch that a number of patrons have forgotten some basic library etiquette.  To those of you who already practice good manners in the library, I extend a heartfelt thank you.  To those of you who need a refresher course, here it is:

• Shhh!  Talk quietly.  It's the golden rule of libraries.  People are reading, studying, or working and come to the library for some peace and quiet.  If you do need to talk, please use one of our study rooms.
• Don't use your cell phone.  People tend to speak loudly on cell phones, disturbing others.  If you need to take or make a call, please do so outside of the library or in areas designated for talking.
• Take screaming children outside.  We love kids, but if your little ones are screaming or throwing tantrums, please be considerate of others and take them outside the library to calm them.
• Push in your chair.  If you're working at the computer or at a table, please be kind and push in your chair when you leave.  Everyone likes to see the library neat and orderly.
• Don't run.  This probably applies more to kids than to adults (most of the time), but running makes noise not to mention puts people at risk of getting hurt.  Please save your running for the great outdoors.
• Don't eat or drink by the computers.  You may like that savory sandwich or that delectable drink, but electronics don't.  Please consume your food and drinks away from the computers.
• Use complete sentences.  I know that texting has made communicating more economical, but it's still nice to hear questions in full sentences rather than as one word barked.  Please avoid speaking like a Neanderthal.
• Say please and thank you.  You learned these terms at home and in school.  They may be old, but they're never old-fashioned.

I'm sure there are other points of library etiquette that I may have missed, and if this is the case, you can expect another post on etiquette to follow this one in the future.  For now, we'll just focus on the basic ones mentioned above.

So please remember to mind your manners in order to permit everyone to enjoy the library the way it was meant to be.

Prim and properly yours from the perch.