HIT: Music in the library

[Janice Bjorke <jbjorke@EMRY.NET>]

Hi Everyone,

Here are just a sample of the responses I got on playing music in the =
library - I think I compromised on the "name on posting hits" question =
by leaving names on messages that had them, but I left off addresses -  =
Hope this is OK with everyone!  If you want all of the music hits =
(around 75!) email me and I will forward them to you!  Overall music in =
the library seems to be a positive addition to the library.  I am =
looking for a CD player this weekend.  Thank you to everyone who =
responded I really appreciate it!

Janice Bjorke
LMS Crownhill Elementary
Bremerton,  WA     Jbjorke@emry.net


I do play very peaceful tranquil music at a low volume in the background =
as=20
children check out their books.  I just continued the practice from the =
years=20
I was a classroom teacher and many students let me know how much they =
enjoyed=20
the background music.  It seems to have a "calming" effect and they are =
so=20
used to it by now that they don't notice when it is on but they sure =
notice=20
when I turn it off!  I have often wondered if others play music in the=20
background during checkouts too?  Thanks for posing the question.
Joyce L. McMurray


mostly instrumental or in languages that most students do not know =
(latin
or celtic/Irish). Occasionally, the music is seasonal. I find that the
soothing songs tend to calm the HS students. I have read studies that =
say
that music in the background that is of a certain type (classical, =
"soft,"
gregorian chants, Mosart, etc.) enhances the brain activity. The music
works wonders on students. The worst troubles I have is that my Enya =
CD's
keep "walking" and the Chant CD's drive the kids "crazy" because it
"relaxes me too much." Ah well...
  Hope this helps.
MaryAnn

Both my secretary & I decided to give it a try a year ago. . . just=20
went out and bought $90 worth of CD's yestrday to broaden our=20
collection.  I read some research reports several years ago (wish I had=20
them now to quote) that showed students studied "better" with music=20
playing.  It had to be at a reasonable decible level and while for the=20
girls it made no difference if was instrumental or had lyrics, for the=20
boys their work only improved if the music was instrumental. - And who=20
said there was no difference between the sexes! I like easy listening =
and some movie scores.  The first month or so=20
some (middle school) students complained about my "elevator music", but=20
now they miss it on days we forget to put something on.  I do have a=20
couple of teachers who dislike it, and have told the whole staff if=20
someone ever wants it off while they are in the library to just let me=20
know.  They do!  We frequently play music softly behind the circulation =
desk--not too close
to the area used for student work. (Sometimes we're just too busy to =
turm it
on.)  I can't think of any cons. Best regards  Martin Swist=09


Yes, from time to time. It has soothed a savage breast or two but
otherwise not made an enormous impact. I like it, however, and why
should all those CD-ROM drives just sit there going to waste all day?

-Dale


I do on occasion play music but extremely softly...so softly
that you have to be right at the circ desk to hear it.  I have
used Scott Joplin's piano music, Christmas music and Palace of
the Winds (a cd of movie themes) among others.  I am ordering a
bagpipe cd as well. My problem is REMEMBERING to put the music
on--it gets so hectic, as you know!  In additon, I have
developed a fair collection of music cassettes they can check
out such as Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music,
Hooked On Classics, can't recall title but one of LOUD,
EMPHATIC classical music like 1812 Overture, etc. Also have
some environmental type cassettes wherein sounds of nature are
blended w/music (muzak). I order these from Wireless, etc.
public radio/tv catalogs. They can also bring in their own
cassettes and listen to them under headphones if they wish.
When the library is not in use by students I will play (again
REALLY softly)some of my favorite blues, a bit of Clapton, etc.
but I do shut that off as soon as they come in.  When Princess
Diana was killed, I brought in Elton John's Love Songs cd and
the faculty just loved hearing that, plus the ensuing Candle in
the Wind spinoff.I hesitate to play some of "my" music when
students are in there because a lyric might be suggestive or
graphic here or there...Julia Steger,


Interesting question. I sometimes play soft instrumental music in our
media center and the kids like it. Sometimes, when everyone is reading =
or
studying, it is sooo quiet that I think it is distracting so I began
playing music and the kids really enjoy it. I've picked up some harp
tapes, some quiet meditation tapes and some plain popular piano tapes. =
Of
course the kids ask if I will play rock and roll or something as wild, =
but
I always smile and say no.
The only problem is I sometimes get so busy in the morning I forget to =
put
in the tapes, or the tape finishes playing and I don't get to it to =
change
it - for days! But I'm going to stick with it.
I'll be very interested in your responses.     Toby Z


The library where I intern plays music all day in the library.  We=20
are fortunate enought to have a sound system that runs through the=20
schoolwide intercom.  Music greets our students as they come to=20
school in the morning throughout the entire building (in the halls). =20
Around 8:00 it is turned off in the halls but is left on in the=20
library.  I absolutely love it!  It really sets a nice tone for the=20
day.  We usually play instrumental stuff, from steel drums to African=20
drums.  At Halloween we played Monster Mash and related songs.  At=20
Christmas it's Christmas music. I would highly recommend music!      =
Rhonda Scibal


I do play music, when I think about it :) classical or soothing
instrumental like George Winston piano, etc. The kids haven't commented,
but I think it is calming for everyone. In 3 years, only once has a
teacher said can you turn that music off, so I try to not have it on =
when
her class visits. Unfortunately, my schedule is very inflexible and
Mondays and Fridays are full check-out only, so these are the days we =
have
music

 About a year ago, we started playing music cd's in the L.M.C. on a
portable boom box behind the charging desk.  It is set very low so as =
not
to disturb the students, but just loud enough that students have to be
quiet to hear the music.  I have only had 2 students complain in that =
time
and both were just annoyed at me because I was putting them out for
creating a disturbance.  Oh, I did have another student last year say
she could not study for an exam while the music was on and we just shut =
it
down for the period.  We usually play new age music, plus lots of
classical selections which are soothing.  Nothing with singing, etc =
which
will rouse the kids.  They very often come in asking for certain cd's to
be played that period.  I really haven't had any problems with the music
and quickly shut it down if anyone asks -- which has only been once or
twice.  I would recommend it highly because my discipline problems have
gone down drastically along with noisy talking.  Hope this helps.       =
Richard Brulotte


I do indeed play music -- all day.  I have a small "boom box" (cd
player/radio/tape player combination).  I utilize the musical offerings =
of
our National Public Radio station.  I also play cds -- everything from
Mozart to Yanni.  The students really like it.  One of my eighth graders
told her mother, who is also a media specialist, that she needed to play
"fine music like Mrs. Hornsby." =20
For nine years I served as the media specialist in a kindergarten =
center.
We had a music and art center.  The students drew pictures and listened =
to
my classical music tapes.  I did not use headphones, so we all enjoyed =
the
music.  Why do I do it?  It gives pleasure, creates a reason for low =
pitched voices,
and offers an eclectic mixture for our patrons.  We do try to be =
sensitive
to those moments when it is not appropriate.    =20
Anyway, the result of this ramble is an enthusiastic thumbs up.  =
--Jacque =20



I play music. I choose some soothing type when I want the kids to calm
down and use culture appropriate music when I do folklore with the kids.
It's fun.


Isn't it funny how an unusual subject like this can come up?  Yes, we =
play
classical music in our elementary school library.  We just built a new
library addition last year and I got to choose all of the furnishings,
including a very nice CD system.  We coordinate the choice of music with =
the
music teacher who does a "composer of the month."  We set up a display =
with a
poster and books about the composer.  I have found that the music calms =
the
children, plus it is easy to tell when they get a little too loud--if we
can't hear the music it's time to quiet down!  As an added benefit, the =
music
makes me feel great.
Diane Peterson
 =09

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