A Little Loud: Noise and Children

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. The shushing librarian is a stereotype, but I think it's (finally) becoming rather dated. Most of the public libraries that I have visited embrace reasonable levels of conversation, which I think is wonderful. I've also seen some libraries dedicate space to silence--a quiet reading room or reference area that is shut off from the rest of the library. I like this approach because it accommodates people who want to work quietly without silencing the rest of the library space. While I don't necessary advocate shouting in the library, I do think that as an information center, we have to accommodate a certain amount of noise. People should be able to ask questions in a normal speaking voice without feeling scolded or chastised.

So where do children fit into this? Well, sometimes they don't. As I've discussed before, children are new people. They are still learning about general societal rules and expectations--some are more advanced than others. This means that sometimes you are going to get a toddler who is very excited that he found a book about A TRUCK! and he would like to share that joy with you. Or, alternatively, you will encounter a toddler who is deeply, deeply hurt and shocked by his mother's suggestion that he put on a coat because it is cold outside. "NO COAT! NO COOOOAT!!" he will shriek while flinging himself onto the floor, sobbing hysterically.

Both of these situations present a disruption of some sort to the library environment. So what do you do?

Here's my feeling: toddlers have a right to use this space. They have the same right to use this space as any adult. And not just toddlers, but children in general. The perception of children as sub-par library patrons comes from the phenomenon that Warner discusses in the passage I posted earlier: the tendency to recognize negative qualities in children as unique to children, rather than human qualities. Sure, sometimes toddlers are not ideal library patrons; sometimes they throw tantrums at the circulation desk. But how is that any different from an adult who berates a staff member about her fine balance? If you look at it from that perspective, the toddler has a better excuse: it's a developmental stage. The adult theoretically knows better.

I think that this issue is best handled on an individual basis. We need to recognize that children have a right to use this space and that, like adults, sometimes they won't be ideal patrons. Rather than placing limits or casting judgments, would it not be more effective to change how we react? A screaming toddler, for instance, is often placated by the opportunity to help stamp the due date stamp on the book. Creative problem-solving, flexibility, and forgiveness allow more useful and inclusive solutions for the child and other patrons--plus, the parents appreciate it.