Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have caused a fuss in library ??!

444 replies

TheRealCarrieBradshaw · 16/01/2014 13:29

I had to pop to the local library this morning to print some important docs out, as we don't have a printer. They have 6 computers, and then about 12 in their computer training room, although there was a class going on so those ones could not be used.

The 6 were all taken up; some guy looked like he was searching a job site (good on him), some other guy was reading large documents, not sure about 2 others, but then there was a girl (about 24ish) and a lad (probably a little older) sat just scrolling through Facebook, and blatantly daydreaming! There was a queue for the computers and I know some locals who do visit every day to carry out job searches etc.

Anyway, I couldn't help myself, and asked the guy on the desk why it was right for people to have to wait for a computer, for productive purposes, while people are sat wasting their lives on Social Networking, when maybe they should be taking a leaf out of the other guys' book and searching the job sites?

It really gets my back up as I'm a huge believer that you need to work hard in life. I had a chat with the lady on the other desk and she was in total agreement with me that the use of SN sites should be banned from these computers - I have written my complaint to the Council Angry

OP posts:
NCISaddict · 16/01/2014 17:03

You may of course mean social networking sites, I apologise, having a child with special needs SN means something totally different to me.

BeerTricksPotter · 16/01/2014 17:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VampyreofTimeandMemory · 16/01/2014 17:05

when i've had to use the library's internet connection in the past, i generally have a quick look at MN while i'm doing all my 'important stuff' (i have a job op, so that's ok right?) and sometimes i've innocently clicked on a thread and been told in large enough text that a passer-by would be able to read it easily that i can't access pages containing pornography Blush

flyingbebe · 16/01/2014 17:05

Oh my goodness, it's not like they're looking up porn on the computer. It's Facebook. It's their time on their computer to do what they like. And are you seriously judging them for going on Facebook on their day off?

There are many people who would be in the library in the middle of the day. Students, shift workers, people who work weekends instead, to name a few.

You don't have a printer, but they might not have a computer or internet access.

VampyreofTimeandMemory · 16/01/2014 17:05
SinisterBuggyMonth · 16/01/2014 17:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BillyBanter · 16/01/2014 17:07

To clarify - my point was, IN MY OPINION, I don't think the use of SN sites should be accessible on the library comps ... End of!

And overwhelming opinion on the thread is that YABU.

End of!

Madmammy83 · 16/01/2014 17:08

For the poster who suggested I 'work harder' to enable me to buy a printer, or something like I mustn't have worked hard enough (something along those lines!) then I suggest you try getting up at the crack of dawn, doing up to four stage (dance) shows a day, then rehearsing inbetween, 7 days a week - NO day off, not finishing your last show until 11pm and then having to hostess at this time of night - Yeah, maybe I need to work harder huh?

That'd be me. I would, only my day currently begins at 5am, when I get up with my 3 month old twins, feed them, say goodbye to my husband as he goes out to work, then get a breakfast ready for 7am and get all three children into the car to drop my eldest at school for 8:50am, then get home and do another two feeds, feed our animals, put a fire down to make sure house is warm, make dinner, do another 2-3 feeds and look after two teething boys, pick child up at 3:30 after Homework club, eat my dinner, try and get some washing done, do bottles, bath babies & put to bed, spend some time with eldest, spend some time with husband, bed before 11pm, up again at 2am and up again to start the following day at 5am. I do also leave the laptop open so that I can chat to people and not go completely insane when I get a spare 2 minutes. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

No day off? I wrote that book, love.

LeaveItItsNotWorthIt · 16/01/2014 17:08

I so hope the guy was watching a video on his fb in order to edit it for a client (his job) lol
besides, he could have been downloading an application form for a job on anther tab and checked Facebook while it downloaded. Or should he have stared at the loading bar intently for ten minutes to satisfy a complete bitch stranger..?

BillyBanter · 16/01/2014 17:10

Even if they are gasp horror unemployed, lazy, feckless, unworthy in the OP's opinion they still got there first and are allowed their turn to do what they like.

whois · 16/01/2014 17:12

Wow I can't believe this thread is for real?

I can see that you would have a secret little sigh about having to wait to print you important WORKING PERSON documents, but to actually go ahead and comain? And to say no one should use the library computers for anything other than IMPORTANT AND WORTHY THINGS makes you sound a little loony OP!

Bowlersarm · 16/01/2014 17:13

Oh OP yabu, and a bit of a silly billy.

If you are only 30 and this much of a crotchety old bag already, I fear for your future sanity.

PumpkinPositive · 16/01/2014 17:16

I can see that you would have a secret little sigh about having to wait to print you important WORKING PERSON documents, but to actually go ahead and comain

She's NOT an "important working person" though. That's the beauty of it! Grin

justjemima · 16/01/2014 17:18

For the poster who suggested I 'work harder' to enable me to buy a printer, or something like I mustn't have worked hard enough (something along those lines!) then I suggest you try getting up at the crack of dawn, doing up to four stage (dance) shows a day, then rehearsing inbetween, 7 days a week - NO day off, not finishing your last show until 11pm and then having to hostess at this time of night - Yeah, maybe I need to work harder huh?

Maybe you should get a proper job. Then you might be able to afford a printer.

Original poster
TheRealCarrieBradshaw · 16/01/2014 17:19

CuChullain - Maybe I should've worded my initial post like your reply, as that's what I was trying to get across, but I agree, probably in the worst way!

I've now felt the full force of a Mumsnet attack Blush You guys are ruthless! Wink

Right I'm off to my first ever Slimming World class and before anybody pipes up and states that as a dancer (Ex byw) surely I don't need to be going to SW so am lying etc (!) Fast forward 2 children and more recently 2 miscarriages later, unfortunately my clothes are now screaming at me, as are my internal organs that are being squashed into these said clothes !!

OP posts:
TantrumsAndBalloons · 16/01/2014 17:19

Let me just explain something to you.
Monday to Friday 9-5 I am dressed in my work clothes. So on those occasions you would I imagine find my use of FB in the library acceptable.
When I am not working I daresay I look like the benefit street people, I haven't watched that paticular program but I know the stereotype. I wear trainers, tracky bottoms, hair tied up, blah blah.

Amazingly enough, even dressed like that, I have a job.

The same way I imagine you had to wear certain outfits as a dancer. I doubt you wore them to tesco, did you?

CatOfTheDay · 16/01/2014 17:21

Is anyone else imagining OP stading in the queue at the library dressed like THIS whilst impatiently tutting?

justjemima · 16/01/2014 17:21

So do you have a proper job now then?

SlimJiminy · 16/01/2014 17:22

Some people use social networking sites to run their businesses. People spend thousands and thousands of pounds on marketing on social networks and the marketers profit nicely from it. Not a bad little earner if you think about it.

Seriously, think about it. All the graphic designers, copywriters, web developers and film producers who earn a substantial living through creating content for social networks. Those lazy swines taking up your Very Important Document time could've been carrying out research for their next freelance project for all you know. And I speak as someone who earns a living from creating content for social networks. You would've looked at me doing my Very Important Business Research in my joggers and assumed I was a time-wasting scumbag, wouldn't you?! Well screw you.

You cannot possibly know what everyone using those computers was using them for. You also do not get to decide what other people use the computers in a public library for - even if they are having some down time in between doing things that you consider to be more "productive."

Who the fuck are you to decide what's important and what isn't? Wait your turn. Get there earlier. Or buy your own printer. YABVVU.

mateysmum · 16/01/2014 17:23

To summarise for you OP:

  1. If you post on AIBU thou shalt be judged - tis the first rule of MN. 2)If you ask AIBU and then are unanimously told that you are, ACCEPT IT and crawl back under your stone. 3)Clearly OP your life is difficult at the moment. I would not wish your situation on anybody, but we MN'ers do no know that upfront: we do not know what a shit time you are having.
  2. However difficult your life, it does not give you an entitlement to consider you are more important than other people who are going about their legitimate business. Your business is important to YOU not other people. 5)By all means suggest a booking system to the library

and finally...

You asked if you were unreasonable to cause a fuss - that was your thread title. The answer - yes yes yes YABVU.

UncleT · 16/01/2014 17:23

I'm going to keep saying it - 20 pounds can buy a printer.

Original poster
TheRealCarrieBradshaw · 16/01/2014 17:24

justjemima - Believe me honey that was a proper job!

And please ho read the thread, you will see why I don't currently, jeeeez sick of saying this now

OP posts:
SalaciousCrumb · 16/01/2014 17:25

I did work in a public library which sounds very similar to the one you're describing. Everybody frustrated about not being able to get on a computer....can understand your annoyance BUT

The staff can't control what people look at on the computer unless it's porn then they are asked to leave. Library managers have more pressing matters to think about like how to stay in existence with massive budget cuts.

YABU, you just have to book a computer in when there's one available, just ring in first. Library computers are there for recreational use as well.

justjemima · 16/01/2014 17:28

Speaking of proper jobs, I used to be an actor and was frequently asked (usually by my dad) if I had a proper job yet. Now I don't act at all any more and have a regular 9-5 job and my dad now enjoys telling people that I finally have a proper job.Smile

Cantabile · 16/01/2014 17:30

Well, I have never seen Benefits St, but I've just googled it and looked at some images. My cousin looks like one of those guys on his day off. He is a CEO of a pretty successful company. You wouldn't believe it, if you saw him on his day off though. Well, you wouldn't.

As well as the judicious use of hyperbole, I think that it would be fair to say that the 'whole world' refers to the world of this thread. So, apart from one notable exception, the whole world does seem to think you're being unreasonable.

BTW, I think you mean 'compare' rather than 'refer'. Perhaps you could pop into your local library and have a quick look at a dictionary. Don't want to look like a bit of a loon, would you?