I want to start by saying I know that DBRL is as much a general community space as it is a library in the traditional sense, and I love that about it. It’s a third place for many and makes me feel so connected to this community.
That said, my rant is that we’re losing the plot a bit when it comes to the general norms and expectations at the library, specifically with kids and noise levels. I get it, kids are loud. Sometimes you need to kill time and have nowhere else to go. You’re not asking them to scream. It’s hard. But the amount of parents who come to a *library* and let their kids run around YELLING seems to grow each week. This isn’t general “kids playing” noise level. I’m talking full out shrieking.
I know that this is just life sharing public spaces. I don’t like being the old man yelling at clouds meme. But please, parents of Columbia, remember that there are people here trying to focus in some capacity. There are tons of playgrounds around Columbia where running and screaming are encouraged. I know there will typically a steady level of buzz inside the library. That’s totally cool! But if your kid is upset and throwing a fit, please don’t bring them inside a library.