Rant: Library Etiquette

Probably going to delete this later but I just wanted to vent. So I often go to my local library and use the computer there since I don’t have a working desktop. It is a place where I can relax and get things done. I especially like to go on Jetpunk when I use the computer there, and it’s where I’m best able to focus when I’m writing, recently in the form of my current story blog.

Long story short, today I was working on a quiz at the library and hoping to get some writing done. The joker at the next computer over is playing some sort of game and loudly laughing constantly, non-stop. The previous day, a different guy next to me was loudly clearing his throat, again, nonstop. Meanwhile these people have their little kids running around the library stomping around and yelling like tiny neanderthals. It was all I could do to not flip my lid when, due to not being able to focus, I effectively screwed up my quiz that I spent a good chunk of time on so bad that I have to completely remake it, if I even want to bother at this point. Additionally, I have not been able to focus at all whenever I’ve tried to write this week.

I walked into the bathroom on my way out to wash my hands, and a kid of about ten jumps out at me and yells “MY MOM!!!!!!!” at the top of his lungs and starts cackling. Even as a regular show fan, it was extremely infuriating. This is right after two other children around the same age nearly ran into me at full speed in the hallway. The hundred and twenty year old librarians didn’t seem to care either by the way. I just turned around and walked out, to avoid crashing out on computer guy or the librarians, or lecturing some random kids about being civilized human beings. That’s not my job. I’m not their parent.

I really didn’t think I’d have to spell this out, since I’ve met actual three year olds who have this down pat. It’s really not hard. And, I want to clarify, I’m not trying to sound like that one crotchety old guy who complains about the way kids act, but it’s extremely frustrating when it’s been multiple days this week. This was my brief window of time to try to decompress today, and it was wasted.

First off, use discretion. People are trying to read and work. If you have to clear your throat, or talk, or sit there and laugh, do it at a reasonable volume. I get that some people have tics and genuinely can’t help it. Let me be clear. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about people who just can’t be bothered to keep a lid on it.

Second off, parent your kids. It’s not easy being a parent, but teach your kid to be quiet and not act like a screaming maniac, and if you can’t get them to shut up for five minutes, maybe don’t bring them to a library of all places.

Third, if you work at a library and people aren’t being quiet, do your job. I as a patron shouldn’t have to tell you that.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. Anyways, how about all of those wacky countries, am I right?