OK, I know that's definitely Auntie-PC. I don't think we can even use the term "madhouse" anymore. I was originally going to say, "when did libraries become a free-for-all?", but then libraries have always been free, for all, so there's no point there. Not that that's ever stopped me before.
I remember a day when you'd receive an abrasive SHUSHHHH from the librarian, for simply ruffling papers too loudly. When the librarian, always a commanding and imperious presence at the time, directed her penetrating stare at you, you'd want to crawl inside the War and Peace and hide forever.
Libraries were peaceful, a bastion of quiet study and reflection. A place where you could learn stuff. And think about stuff.
But nowadays, we've seen children racing and caterwauling throughout the aisles, older folks talking and laughing as if at a comedy club, other folks spreading their stinky tuna fish salad sandwiches and Fritos all over a work table, men stomping through proudly displaying their AK-47s (oh, I feel SO safe), and just general bacchanal-ish behavior more suitable, say, for a family reunion. A good family reunion.
When did libraries find it so acceptable to tolerate, and by extension, condone such riotous actions?
Someone locally got into serious trouble for raging about the behavior at the University of Washington library. Granted, he peppered his concerns with fierce expletives and threats, never a good idea. But I can certainly understand what would motivate a person, having a much less refined than mine *ahem* gauge of proper etiquette, to boil over from frustration.
I'd personally love to see more quiet around. Especially in the library.
No comments:
Post a Comment