Tell me what you really think.
Oh, yes. I also remember the Dewey decimal system, Governor Dewey and Admiral Dewey. And Kurt Vonnegut.
Oooo - Hoss remembers Vonnegut. He must really be old.
Funny. I recently had a conversation with my mother, who is a librarian, about a similar problem. My mom is no longer allowed to post 'no cell phones' signs in the Canadiana History Room where she works, because apparently the higher-ups want to be sure that all patrons feel 'welcome'. So rudely yakking on a cell phone in a library is more important than making sure patrons who want to read and study have peace and quiet. Boggles the mind.
I, too, lament the demise of a proper library, almost as much as I lament the demise of a proper education.
Also -- happy birthday to your children this month.
I noticed last summer, when my computer got fried and I was going to the library daily to use their computers, that people are no longer quiet there, not even the librarians. I couldn't believe it had changed so much!
My daughter mounted a contest with her 4 children this summer; the one who reads the most books by the end of July gets a whole day to spend with mommy, and a choice of where to spend it (beach, amusement park, movies, etc.). I think that is a great idea and it is interesting to see who will try hardest to win.
Wow, I guess we're just lucky here...I'm not even going to say where so I don't jinx it, but it's in a city and all of the libraries I go to are still pretty quiet. Maybe it's because they're mostly in old buildings? Do high ceilings and marble make people talk quietly?
There are kids in the kid's section, but they aren't usually doing more than talking. There are signs at the doors asking you to put your phone on vibrate and to take phone conversations outside.
If there's any really loud noise, for any length of time, the custodian or one of the librarians (least likely these) or the staff will come by and ask for a little more quiet.
I kind of figure that the big bank of computers with everyone staring quietly into the glow is keeping down some of the noise!
What about making patrons who want peace and quiet feel "welcomed" (in the library where the boors are permitted to carry on their break-up or medical-problem conversations on cell phones).
I remember the library being the "cool" place (literally) in town in the summer when I was a kid. My mom used to take my brother and me there, and we would get our books, and then find a place to sit and read (if it wasn't too busy). And I remember that quiet and respect was expected - part of it was, I bet, that if I had got in trouble at the library, I would have been in BIGGER trouble at home. Nowadays, a kid misbehaves and a teacher or librarian or coach "talks to" him, and the parents have that other adult called on the carpet for "squashing" their little darling's "creativity" or "spirit."
I love to read - loved to read as a child, too - and one of my happiest summer memories is a rainy summer day, and me, with a big new stack of library books, and nothing to do but stretch out on the couch in my family's living room (off-limits to "play" but permissible for reading) and read.
The university library where I teach has "no cell phone zones" through most of the place, and the librarians are pretty traditional and mostly enforce quiet zones (except in a couple areas on the first floor). I guess the "let it all hang out" and "let's welcome even the unmannered people" attitude hasn't reached my small town yet. And the students I have - at least the serious ones - like it that way; I had one student who said he had no problem telling people to "shut up, this is a library" if their conversation was disturbing him.
Oh. My. Goodness. I do love this post. I am very, oh-so-very fond of the library. Yesm the word "the" applies, in this case, to every library. When I was eight years old I named a kitten Dewey Decimal - Dewey for short. Much like you I spent many summer hours lost in the wonder of the library. At twelve years old they gave me a "specil" adult borrowing card, yes, I felt very special.
Your writing is often magical. This is indeed one of those times.
Thank you for making me smile.
That was one of the best parts of the library, the hushed coolness and the smell of the books.
Okay, I meant TWO of the best parts of the library.
And OH MY GOODNESS I was JUST thinking that same thing about Nancy Drew in particular, because my daughter brought home a couple of "new" Nancy Drew books from the library and I was HORRIFIED. AND they were written in the first person, for crap's sake.
I'm going to go read Trixie Belden, instead. 
I have just retired after a 30 year career as a librarian. In that time I have seen the changes you've all outlined. I'm grateful to see that you, and others posting elsewhere, are expressing dismay at what is happening to a place that deserves respect. I am sad to think that in the not too distant future, no one will remember what libraries used to be like. The situation that Patricia speaks of, where librarians are not allowed to place restrictions on library visitors, is created by library management who sit in offices and don't interact with day to day life in the library. They are also the ones who don't support library staff who would like to provide a quieter environment. I'm happy to be retired so I can find some peace and quiet. Strange thing for a librarian to say!
Ah, but see ... I have the ORIGINAL Nancy Drew series and no television - makes for creative kids who adore the library in the summer.
I too drank in the library's air, quiet, and walked the aisles touching spines and exploring story after story.
Ahhhhhhh
Ticks? Oh, that makes me itch.
A great post. I loved going to the library when I was a kid. After reading this post, I want to go to the local library more often. I hope it is better than what you have described!
While I too echo the earlier comments, I would like to add my dismay at the activism of the librarian's organiztion.
Great post! I lived far enough from town that a daily bike trip was impossible, but a weekly library run was a given. I can remember running my fingers along those glorious spines, deciding which author would come home with me that week. Zilpha Keatley Snyder? Beverly Cleary? Laura Ingalls Wilder?
I'm pleased that my own kids find the library to be just as enticing as I did. The only difference is, where my mom limited how many books I could bring home, I don't. We really should bring a wagon with us to the library!
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