You know the hardest part of starting a blog? The title. I wanted to be cute and come up with something that was a bookish play on words, but guess what? Everything in the universe was taken. EVERYTHING. After multiple attempts at creating a clever blog title, I gave up. So then, why 'Library Noise?'
I'm a school librarian, and a pretty laid back one at that. Although I do enjoy a good cardigan, I think the Marian Librarian stereotype should be retired by now. However, I cannot tell you how many times teachers will bring classes to the library by entering with this declaration: "SHHH!!! That's enough! We're in a library!"
Sigh.
I think quiet and silence in the library has a definite time and place. Like college, when you're practically living in a wooden study carrel, cramming for the upcoming exam. But this is the 21st century, and 21st century libraries are hardly quiet hallows of solitude. On my campus, the library is a bustling place. Students are reading, talking, using computers, playing games, collaborating on a project, helping each other study, using the catalog, texting... I could go on. The library should be a place where kids want to be. It's pretty hard to do create that space when you have to be quiet all the time. Now, do I want students to be quiet when I'm doing some kind of instruction? Sure. But I also encourage questions, comments, and laughter.
Library Noise, to me, sums up what I want this blog to be. Just like the varied activities that are going on in my library each day, this blog won't just be one thing. I'll do book reviews, app reviews, lesson reviews. I'll post photos of library displays and student learning. I'll reflect on how things are going.
How about it? Let's make some noise in the library!
