Wednesday, November 7, 2001
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Wednesday, November 7, 2001 |
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'Quiet, please' doesn't apply to library staff Have you ever noticed the signs as you entered the Peachtree City library? The ones that tell you to turn off your cell phone or risk a brutal death? Then, as you walk around the library you are threatened by menacing signs telling you could be expelled from the library if you are too loud? Evidently this does not apply to the staff. Today I was in the library with my two elementary-school-aged children. The staff was so loud that my daughter could not do her homework. After my daughter's repeated complaints, I asked the staff to quiet down. Now, I want you to understand that this was not a boisterous staff meeting debating the pros and cons of banning books. This was chitchat about what costume they were going to wear for Halloween! The staff was so loud, in fact, that they didn't even hear me trying to get their attention. I was standing a mere 12 inches away and the staff couldn't even hear me the first three times I said, "Ladies." But wait, it gets better. Picture two children and an adult with five reference books, and homework spread over a small table, hard at work on a science project. A few moments later a librarian approached us insisting that my children and I move to another location. She insisted because "the staff would be getting loud again." I am glad the staff can joke, laugh and has time for the team-building that comes with chitchat. I am only asking that they stop being hypocrites and take down the signs threatening to beat us with in an inch of our lives if the patrons raise their voices above a whisper. It is sad that an elementary-school-aged child has to complain about the adult staff and then is penalized. So now, ladies, can you rise to the challenge and take down the signs, or will you continue to be hypocrites? Kelly Carter Peachtree City
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