Re: Noise in the Library

[Joni J Rathbun <jrathbun@OREDNET.ORG>]

Well, I know this is just a dream for most of us at this stage of the
game, but once upon a time I got to work with an architect in designing
a new high school library. I shared my ideas/needs regarding noise in
the library. I explained I needed room for quiet reading and study and
room for noisy, active learning - but I wanted everything to be in the
same room more or less (visibility). He approached the task through
acoustics and sound proofing. The end result was that you could be sitting
at one of the research tables or on the window seats reading quietly and
not hear a peep from the students on the multimedia development computers
in the same room.


So if you ever have an opportunity to provide input into library design,
keep this one in mind.

If libraries are to move beyond simply providing passive access to
information, we're going to have to find ways to accommodate noise.
But the quiet part of the library is a haven for many.... and
necessary for many too.

I was grumbling about just this very thing today in my current library.
One can certainly tell when a non librarian has designed a library.

Oh well. At least I HAVE a library!


J. Rathbun, Librarian                  | "You may say I'm a dreamer,
Mojave High School                     |  but I'm not the only one..."
Clark County School District           |
Las Vegas, Nevada                      |            John Lennon
Email: jrathbun@orednet.org            |




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