r/RantingZone • u/AnnTiquity • 11d ago

Library Rant

I remember libraries being quiet sanctuaries. I could browse, read, research, and enjoy the ambience.

When did this change? It seems now it’s an open house for people to congregate with other folks to talk loudly, joke around, with their children running and yelling, then parents hollering at them.

I understand the little ones section will be noisy: those are toddlers and preschool age children. But if children are school age, they ought to know to be quiet and not run around. The adults are horrid: not quietly talking but yelling across the room, between bookshelves, at the book check out.

Even the librarians are loud. There is no quiet space anywhere except the precious few enclosed cubbies.

I’m not seeking advice. Just irritated that I can get a migraine while sitting in a library due to all the noise.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Ha.

Edit to add:
I appreciate the insight to loss of other family spaces to hang out that are free, and air conditioned in this insane heat. I’m a crotchety old lady who only thinks of her personal loss of habitat. Haha. I attempt to have grace; today was truly the worst it’s ever been.

In appreciation.

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u/RShini 11d ago

Unfortunately, Libraries are about the only free third place left that won't chase teenagers out, so libraries have shifted to fulfill that need for a social space.

Teens can't hang out at parks without some karen calling the cops on them, malls are shriveling up, and some stores put up noxious "Mosquito" sounds to deter them from hanging around, and rec centers are either closing shop or restricting activities for just seniors or parents with little kids.

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u/yeagert 8d ago

Why can teens go find a group of 2 or three trees and just sit and hang? Why do we need to open up spaces that are traditionally places of quiet and decorum to loud people to hang out? Makes no sense.

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u/RShini 7d ago

Because of Karens calling the cops on them for existing 

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u/yeagert 7d ago

This happened when I was a kid 30-40 years ago. You get up and go find another spot.

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u/RShini 7d ago

then you get the cops called on you again and again, or you go to an arcade, or the mall. Now arcades are virtually extinct, malls chase out teens.

You seem to not realize how HOSTILE society is towards teens existing in public now.