Streetlife

Shame really. Yes I thought libraries were all about shh! and books. Sounds like it's turned into a community hall, and certainly doesn't appeal. I'd been quite looking forward to a time in my life when I could indulge my thirst for knowledge and pass a few peaceful hours browsing through the books in the library. Have we actually thrown in the towel for the idea that libraries are for books now?

Hi Suffolk Boy, don't panic. There is something for everyone and one designated very quiet area in the reference library, Northgate room. It is architecturally beautiful and quiet. On the other hand, you might just fancy hearing a bagpipe band or seeing beautiful exotic dancers- World Music Day, or hearing a local author talk about their book or be part of story-telling for adults or world book night and so much more. Don't knock it until you have tried it. Quiet? I love it, Fun? I love it, Knowledge? I love it. Honestly, the county library has something fro everyone- go and see!

I've been in the Library during the above events and I heard hardly any extra noise!

Libraries should be first and foremost quiet areas for study, with people wanting to eat not being allowed to do so at one of the computers and not treating it as though it's their sitting room!

Hi Holly

I will take this comment, regarding the eating of food infront of the PCs, back to the Library Manager. Liz

Yes I have seen people eating at the computers and thought Yuk!

Exactly Elaine D I'm so glad you've said that, I have complained about it to the library people and have been treated so unprofessionally! They told me it was down to the librarians on duty at the time and it still goes on at my local library, Kesgrave, drinking as well! don't they value their computers?

They don't have to value them, we pay for them! How do they clean/sanitise them. No wonder sickness bugs are on the increase.

Hi Holly, Elaine and all other library users, I have forwarded all these comments to the Library Manager. The libraries no longer belong to Suffolk County Council, they are run by a not for profit organisation known as an Industrial Provident Society.

I am a volunteer, working to support the work of the libraries and striving to ensure everyone has an opportunity to access these free services, today and tomorrow.

I guess from your comments that you are library users? Pop in and see us on the 16th March - Book Sale (not library stock) and say hello. There will be staff about and you can raise this hygiene and possible damage issue with them, face-to-face.

CLARIFICATION

Suffolk County Council own the libraries, the Industrial Provident Society deliver the services.

"The health and safety and comfort of library customers is our priority and we are always happy to hear any comments, positive or otherwise. Modern libraries are places where people can access information and reading materials in a variety of ways. There are a range of activities taking place across libraries for the benefit of the community but there are plenty of opportunities to come along when it's a bit quieter. People often spend a significant amount of time in the library and naturally may need to take refreshment during this time. We want people to feel relaxed and at home but behaviour still has to be appropriate and not affect other users so if you have any concerns please raise them with a member of staff and we can reassure you all concerns are taken seriously. Ipswich Library has a very quiet study area on the 1st floor."- Suffolk Libraries- Ipswich County Library

The Library Manager assured me that the PCs are cleaned every day and sterile wipes are available on request.

Thanks for answering our concerns and queries in a timely fashion, but I am sorry I still don't see the need to take food into the library. This seems to be part of everyday life now, where you can't go anywhere without a bottle of drink and fast food. Does anyone (except possible the diabetic, who should not be eating the kind of rubbish I see being eaten), really need to take a food parcel into the library?

In Kesgrave Library on a Wednesday evening you might be forgiven on times in thinking you've walked in on a private party! honestly, one time there was a large decorated chocolate cake sitting out on the librarians desk and people were eating it at the computers with crumbs falling all over the seats and keyboards which were already covered in chocolate, with coke bottles and coats, bags etc scattered everywhere, then they see me come in (aware that I've complained about this behaviour, as I feel it's unsuitable for a small public library like Kesgrave and unprofessionally the staff made it known to the people who are creating this scenario who's complained) contd.

Well this seems to be a problem to quite a few people! I remember when libraries were quiet places where you went to borrow books! I have no problem with the CDs, DVDs, Computers and Computer games that litter the shelves, I would like to think that money spent on these items does not come off the book budget! However I do have a problem with the grazing and excuses. If I want a coffee or fast food I am more than catered for in Ipswich, I can eat in the various outlets, I do not need to buy my food and take it to the library! While I am on the subject, please turn off your mobile while you are in the library. I realise we are all awaiting vital news but can it not wait? I find the constant noisy ringtones and shared conversations very annoying. I do love listening to the children singing in the library though, RANT OVER!

contd.: so anyway I come in , go over to the computers and a big point is made ie" Oh we'd better tidy up , clean this mess up" the parent says as she picks up her coke bottles and brushes cake crumbs off the tops and all over the floor, whilst her youngster makes dusting movements over the keyboard emphasising her actions making it so obvious I've disgruntled them and they feel I'm OTT and have complained about them personally, thanks to the library staff's attitude. I don't know these people but I do know their attitude and behaviour and the Kesgrave Library's staff members' behaviour and attitudes on these Wednesday evenings and my complaints have fallen on deaf ears. I feel sorry for the cleaner employed there having to clean up melted chocolate, food bits and the litter these people can't even put in the bins provided.

If people want to eat and/or drink surely it's better to have a corner in the library set aside for this activity especially away from the computers. As for the children's sing songs etc at least you know when they're on and can avoid that time if you don't want to hear it.

As I said 2 weeks ago - it's a shame.
I guess we (The Community) only have ourselves to blame. It seems we let libraries slip through our fingers and become glorified community halls.

All concerns are not taken seriously or happily, instead they are taken personally and not treated as constructive criticism, ie the way they are handled is totally unprofessional.

The way many of the library staff behave is in a defensive manner and they have a tendency to treat library users as though they are all trouble makers.

Oh come on people!! Why can we not embrace the development of our libraries into the fantastic community hubs that they have the potential to be?! I agree that there is a place for quiet study, contemplation and reading; I too enjoy this. But I also agree that there is a place for activity, for bringing people into the libraries that wouldn't normally use them, for bringing people together. I attended a 'father and son' event (a while back admittedly!!) and it was fantastic!!! The guy read a book to the kids, people brought round drinks, bacon sandwiches, kids made stuff and went home with a goodie bag containing lots of things (including a book). I am confident that this event drove people to the library that wouldn't normally have used it, and have been returning since. Surely we need to do all we can to keep these vital services open, and bringing new people in is a critical part of this?!

Fair enough Damien R. You have to remember that many of us are boring old f#rts who cherish the days when visiting the library was almost like going to church, where we had utmost respect for the fabric of the building, the people within it and its contents. Now too busy to visit, I'd harboured the thought that perhaps one day, maybe when retired, I could take up reading and study in the peace and quiet once again.
It beggars belief that anyone would want to go to a library to eat bacon butties and swig coke and a sad reflection of the state of Society today.
As we say in Suffolk: if the library founders were alive today, they'd be turning in their grave!

Sorry Damien, there are many places you can go to eat bacon butties, and drink coke, sitting over a computer in a library should not be one of them!

Sorry, it appears I have inadvertently started a conversation about a bacon sandwich!! 

My main point was that in this climate, libraries have to do everything they can to bring new people in. Whilst I totally understand and agree that libraries should be a place for quiet reading and study, I was making the point that these are also potentially fantastic community hubs, and could also be used for great activities such as the Father/Son morning, or the excellent mother and toddler sessions in Felixstowe library for example. The new libraries IPS is perfectly placed to take advantage of these opportunities, and has a really exciting chance to really show people the true value of our library service.

I dont see why they cant run a cafe corner in the main county library....gather up all the books they are selling off and run a small cafe, books should not leave the cafe unless they are purchased and no food or drink either. That way users of the library and computers can be told no food or drink in any circumstances and if you must eat use the cafe. Problem solved

I like the idea of a cafe; although I do know the cafes in Felixstowe and Gainsborough struggle due to really low footfall. Maybe we could have more activities to encourage people to use the cafes...........