[ISLMA-Share] "Quiet" in the Library?

Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association islma at list.railslibraries.info
Sat Aug 6 00:46:43 CDT 2016


I’m seeking some collective wisdom on the control and monitoring of noise levels in the elementary school library. I will start by stressing that I have always disliked the stereotype of the sternly “shushing” librarian, who demands absolute silence. I believe a library should be a place to learn and explore, and that students should enjoy sharing and collaborating in groups, allowing for a reasonable level of productive noise and movement. 

However, after two years of the library being closed for 8+ weeks throughout the year for testing, my principal has agreed to let us try implementing a combined Learning/Testing Center this year, where library classes will continue in the main part of the library while room dividers block off one end, which will have laptops set up to serve as a testing area. Her biggest concern is whether we will be able to keep the noise level low enough during testing. 

Unfortunately, the room dividers do not help much with sound dampening, so I am looking for ideas on how to train students to “Whisper” in the library without falling into the “shushing” librarian stereotype!  :-)  

Thanks for any tips/ideas you might be willing to share! 

Kate Tamms
Cary, IL 




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