I’ve been seeing people participate in this weekly discussion about books and book-related issues, but I have never considered participating. Then, I figured “that’s just silly!”, especially given the title and my title – Musing Mondays and Michelle’s Masterful Musings. They seem to go hand-in-hand, do they not? So, here is my first first time participating in Musing Mondays, hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page…
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about library etiquette…
For the regular library patrons among us: do you have your own idea of what constitutes proper library etiquette? Is there anything you always try to do? Anything you hate when others do?
Actually, this probably isn’t the best week to start participating. Unfortunately, I have not stepped foot in our public library in approximately three years. We used to go quite often when we first moved here. Then I struggled getting books back on time, and going to the library became a chore rather than a fun excursion. Heaven forbid I ever turn the library into some place the kids do not want to visit. So, I stopped going. I always mean to go back, but I never seem to get there. My son brings home at least three books each week from his school library, and my daughter still goes through her own books on her book shelves. I have enough books I own that I need to read, and I must admit that I do prefer to own books rather than borrow them.
However, when I did attend the library quite frequently, I always try to remain as quiet as possible. Call it taught behavior from my own excursions to the school library while growing up, but I cannot stand when people insist on talking at their normal voice level. I also always try to put books back where they belong if I opt not to check it out. There is nothing worse than not being able to find a book because someone shoved it on the wrong shelf out of sheer laziness.
One of the things that turns me off from libraries are dirty, worn copies. I realize that they are passing through a large number of hands, but books, especially borrowed ones, should be treated with respect. Just because you don’t own it does not mean it is okay to read while eating Cheetos! The experience of too many dirty, food-laden books is what turned me into a book snob in the first place because at least I know I am not going to eat and read, or at least am extremely careful not to get food on my books.
So, in my lengthy absence from the library, what have I missed? What other bad habits do people do at the library that I am missing? What is appropriate behavior these days?
Stacy – That has to be the worst! You miss part of the story!
I love the library, but really hate audio books where one cd in the middle or end does not work! That's annoying!
Thanks! Don't you hate cheesy fingerprint marks on pages? It's like sacrilege.
Glad you joined Monday Musings! Cheetos or Doritos have to be the worst things to eat while reading a book!